Employment in Canada has been a hot topic within the past few years for many different reasons. First being, the proximity to the U.S. market and the highly educated workforce. Canada has a fairly large consumer market, robust social programs for employees, and business-friendly banking regulations. We tapped one of our internal experts, Director of Operations – Rob Crabtree, to learn more about which specific industries businesses should be targeting in Canada. We did this through the lens of “employment in Canada,” thinking about which verticals would be best for employers.
A) Which five industries in Canada are good for international businesses to look at?
1. Technology
The technology industry has continued to flourish in terms of revenue, employment and impact. The tech industry in Canada is not disposed to industry-wide downturns and does not require a low dollar. A low dollar is appealing to Americans and international investors who want more dollar for their money.
The language similarity for software development is another appealing aspect.
2. Digital media and film production
The film industry has the most dynamic and largest talent pool in Canada. Along with the vast and remarkable talent, there are many state-of-the-art production facilities in Vancouver and Montreal. Furthermore, the tax incentives are great. Tax incentives include a refundable tax credit, the amount is not capped, and Canada’s Federal Tax Incentive is stackable with the Provincial tax credits in Canada.
3. Energy
The oil industry counts for 19% of the overall exports from Canada. It is the leading industry and has the highest dollar value in Canadian global shipments, adding up to US$77.8 billion.
4. Mining and mining support
The mining and mining support industry is the 6th fastest growing industry in Canada, topping off at a 7.4 billion dollar industry. The industry has a five-year annual growth rate of 7.9%.
5. Recycling facilities and technology
In the past five years, recycling facilities have thrived due to rising environmental consciousness within Canadian households, making it the 3rd fastest growing industry in Canada. Due to rapid technological advancements, recycling materials are more effective than ever.
B) Which countries can do business in Canada the easiest?
Now that you have an understanding of the top industries in Canada, it is important to note which countries can do business in Canada the easiest:
- France – Quebec has created a friendly immigration and business environment with France
- USA – Proximity, similar demographics and no language barrier
- UK – Several commercial and immigration advantages because Canada is still a member of the UK commonwealth
C) Do you have anything else to note about employment in Canada?
The process to obtain a Canadian work permit, can be quite tedious. Typically, Canada requires an employer to prove that there is not a Canadian national who is qualified to work in a particular position. In order to achieve this, the Canadian Ministry of Immigration will likely require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (“LMIA”) and will also require the employer to post the open position on reputable job boards for four weeks. Applicants who complete the LMIA should expect a processing time for a work visa of roughly six weeks.
As previously mentioned, Canada is well-known for its robust social programs. Canadian social programs are mandated by law and they include public health insurance, unemployment insurance (“Employment Insurance or EI”), and public pension schemes. It is important to note that required employer contributions to social programs vary by province.
If you have any questions regarding employment in Canada or wish to learn more about how to apply for a business visa in Canada, don’t hesitate to contact us!
