The cost of accommodation in Canada varies by city and vacancy rates are a key driver of costs. Housing costs are usually the largest portion of a monthly budget, and if you’re a newcomer to Canada, it’s helpful to understand what determines accommodation costs. With this knowledge, you can decide where you want to live and how much you can afford. Other factors that affect the accommodation costs include location, type of housing, and size.
What Does Vacancy Rate Mean?
In Canada, the vacancy rate refers to the housing supply and the occupancy rate refers to the housing demand. Though the answer is subjective, a healthy vacancy is considered to be around 3% in general.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) conducts the Rental Market Survey (RMS) every October in urban areas with populations of 10,000 and more. The RMS estimates the strength of the rental market. The survey targets privately rented structures with at least three rental units, that have been on the market for at least three months.
The CMHC also conducts the Condominium Apartment Survey (CAS) every year in September to estimate the strength of the condo apartment rental market. The cities covered in this survey are Calgary, Edmonton, Gatineau, Halifax, Hamilton, Kelowna, Kitchener, London, Montréal, Ottawa, Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg.
How Vacancy Rates Affect the Cost of Accommodation in Canada
A vacancy rate of two percent or lower means there is greater competition among prospective tenants as they vie for fewer vacant rental properties.
VACANCY RATE
WHAT IT MEANS
Less than 2%
– High demand with a limited housing supply – Drives rental cost higher
3%
– Healthy balance between housing supply and demand
Greater than 3%
– High supply with low demand – Lower housing costs – “Renter’s Market
The vacancy rate is also a key factor determining the accommodation cost in cities across Canada. With this in mind, you can research vacancy rates to understand rental costs, determine how much you can afford, and budget for rent. Here are the 2023 vacancy rates and average rental rates for a 2-bedroom apartment in several Canadian cities:
CITY VACANCY RATE
AVERAGE RENT FOR A 2-BEDROOM CONDOMINIUM APARTMENT
CANADA 0.9%
$2,049
OTTAWA, Ontario 0.4%
$2,085
VANCOUVER, British Columbia 0.9%
$2,580
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia 1.0%
$1,628
TORONTO, Ontario 0.7%
$2,862
KITCHENER-CAMBRIDGE-WATERLOO, Ontario 0.1%
$**
CALGARY, Alberta 1.0%
$1,819
REGINA, Saskatchewan 1.8%
$1,421
LONDON, Ontario 0.1%
$2,050
SUDBURY, Ontario 1.2%
$1,361
WINNIPEG, Manitoba 1.8%
$1,333
WINDSOR, Ontario 2.0%
$1,253
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan 2.0%
$1,449
EDMONTON, Alberta 2.5%
$1,359
HAMILTON, Ontario 2.6%
$2,373
ST. CATHARINES-NIAGARA, Ontario 2.8%
$1,388
Source: Rental Market Report, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, January 2024
How Much Do Apartments Cost in Canada?
Vacancy rates of less than 2% such as in the city of Toronto drive the cost of accommodation higher.
Finding affordable housing continues to be challenging, especially in Toronto and Vancouver where vacancy rates are below two percent. That’s why we encourage newcomers to consider other cities that often offer hidden advantages to newcomers, including lower accommodation costs.
What’s Affordable Housing in Canada?
Housing affordability and supply are essential factors when evaluating your landing city options. In Canada, spending less than 30% of your pre-tax income on housing is considered affordable. Spending more than 30% on housing will mean cutting into your budget for things like food, transportation, and other necessities. And, until you establish stable finances, it’s wise to manage your budget and expenses accordingly.
Where to Find Affordable Accommodation in Canada?
The cost of accommodation can be lower when the vacancy rate is higher such as in Edmonton, Alberta.
Major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are expensive when it comes to accommodation. However, you’ll likely find housing prices that are more in line with your budget in other Canadian cities. Carefully researching small and mid-sized cities across Canada before you choose your landing city is the key to your success.
Research the Housing and Job Markets in Different Cities
It’s important to research housing and job markets across Canada. Canada is a vast country with regional, economic, and cultural differences. And, the cost of housing (both in the rental and homebuying markets) can vary widely. At the same time, you want to research your profession in different cities to ensure job opportunities match your skills, knowledge, and experience.
This initial research is critical. While you can always relocate to other cities, making a secondary move is expensive. Carefully evaluating your landing city options, housing costs, and career options will help you make smart decisions and achieve financial stability and success! You can easily check out rental costs in cities across Canada at Rentals for Newcomers.
Become Familiar with the Cost of Living in Different Cities
The cost of living can vary across Canada. Groceries, transportation, rent, or home-buying costs can be expensive. Also, consider your lifestyle and the cost of entertainment and dining out.
Considering all of these factors will help you to budget for the cost of accommodation in Canada. And for newcomers, this information can help you to make smart and affordable landing city decisions!
If you plan to move to Canada you have to pay several immigration fees to process your application to become a permanent resident. As of April 30, 2024, here are some of the current permanent residency fees increases:
Fee: Economic Immigration (Including Express Entry) Fees apply to: Agri-food pilot, Atlantic immigration pilot, Atlantic immigration program, Canadian experience class, Federal skilled workers, Federal skilled trades, Provincial nominee, Rural and northern immigration pilot, Quebec-selected skilled workers.
As of April 30, 2024
Your application (includes processing fee and right of permanent residence fee)
$1,525.00
Your application (without right of permanent residence fee)
$950.00
Right of permanent residence fee
$575.00
Include your spouse or partner (includes processing fee and right of permanent residence fee)
$1,525.00
Include a dependent child (without right of permanent residence fee)
$260.00/child
Permanent Resident Card
$50 (no increase)
Permanent Resident Travel Document
$50 (no increase)
Citizenship – application fees Adult (18 and over) Minor (under 18)
$630 $100
Biometrics: Per person Per family (2 or more people)
$85.00 $170.00
Be sure to budget for 2024 permanent residency fee increases.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the fee increases account for inflation since the last increase in 2022. Permanent resident fees increase every two years and take into account the rising cost of delivering programs and services. The next fee increase will be in 2026.
At this time, the fees will not increase for the following:
Canadian Permanent Resident Card ($50): a wallet-sized document that is issued to new permanent residents to confirm status in Canada
Permanent resident travel document ($50): a travel document valid for one entry
Certification or replacement immigration documents.
When calculating how much money you’ll need to move to Canada, remember to add these immigration fees to your budget. While Canada’s immigration fees are less expensive than countries such as Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, these fees can still add up.
What is the Right of Permanent Resident Fee?
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The Right of Permanent Resident Fee is a separate fee all permanent resident applicants must pay when their application is approved. But to avoid processing delays, you can submit this fee while you pay your application fees. And if your application is not approved, the IRCC will give you a full refund.
How to Pay Canada Permanent Residency Immigration Fees
You can pay your Canada immigration fees online. Use the online form to indicate your country and the forms that you are submitting. The IRCC will calculate the total fee that you owe.
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For more information, tools, and free webinars about living in Canada visit our Settling in Canada resource page. We’ll help you to settle in Canada successfully!
Getting a credit card when you arrive in Canada is a great way to build a credit history, but you must avoid making common mistakes. From spending more than your credit limit, to only paying the minimum monthly payment, these mistakes can damage your credit score and make it difficult to achieve your financial goals. Learn how to avoid these financial mistakes and what you can do to stay in good standing.
1. Only making the minimum monthly payment on your credit card bill
Credit card issuers make it easy for you to repay your balance by allowing you to make minimum monthly payments. Sometimes you may only afford to make the minimum monthly payment, but avoid making this a habit. When you only pay the minimum payment each month it increases the amount of time it takes to pay off your balance and you’ll pay much more interest. It also means that you will likely never pay off the full amount of your card.
A better approach is to pay the full balance. If that’s not possible, pay more than the minimum monthly payment to accrue less credit card interest and pay your debt faster.
2. Missing credit card payments
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Missing payments means that you will have to pay a late payment fee. And late payment fees can add up quickly. To avoid late payment fees, you can set up an automatic payment to your debit card. Remember, you should pay off the full balance each month. Falling behind in your payments can lead to higher credit card interest charges and your credit score will suffer. Meeting your monthly payments shows creditors that you manage your money well.
Arrive in Canada Financially Prepared
Building a strong financial foundation is vital to your success. Join this webinar to start your banking journey in Canada on the right foot!
If you don’t open your credit card billing statement, you risk missing your payment due date or paying less than you should be. Ignoring your statement could cause you to miss important announcements about changes to your credit card terms. Review the monthly transactions to ensure that there are no purchases that you did not make or approve. If there are any errors, contact the credit card company immediately to discuss the transaction.
Missing payments will also cause your credit score to decrease. Missed payments can remain on your credit report for up to six years.
4. Not reporting a lost or stolen credit card
If you lose your card, the first thing that you should do is report it to your financial institution. The longer it takes you to report a lost or stolen card, the greater the chance of fraudulent activities. Reporting a lost credit card quickly shows the bank that you are responsible.
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5. Maxing out your credit card limit
This credit card mistake is important to avoid. As a newcomer, in your first few months, you will likely have some unexpected expenses you didn’t budget for. A credit card can be a short-term solution but you should never max out a card to its limit. When you max out your credit limit, it indicates to creditors that you are living beyond your means.
It’s better to spend less than 30% of your credit limit. This is known as the credit utilization ratio to assess how much credit you have versus how much you use. This ratio is also about 30% of your credit score calculation. Getting close to your credit limit puts you at risk for over-the-limit fees and penalty interest rates you’ll have to pay when you exceed your credit limit. Maintain a low balance on your card for a healthy credit score and manageable payment amount.
Avoiding these credit card mistakes will help you reduce financial stress, increase your credit score, and build credit history.
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Read more about your financial first steps in Canada.
Building Credit History in Canada as a Newcomer
A lesson many newcomers learn when they arrive in Canada is that you need credit to pay for large expenses, buy a car, or purchase a home. However, it’s difficult to borrow without a credit history in Canada.
Open a Bank Account Before Arriving in Canada
Opening a bank account before you arrive in Canada offers many benefits including transferring funds before you travel to Canada.
Inflation in Canada and What it Means for Newcomers
For newcomers and international students arriving in record numbers, it’s helpful to understand how the currect inflation rate in Canada can affect how much you pay for housing, groceries, transportation, and other expenses.
Insurance in Canada: What Newcomers Need to Know
Protecting yourself and your family against unexpected danger and risk is what insurance in Canada is all about for newcomers to Canada and international students.
Do Newcomers Need to File an Income Tax Return?
If you became a permanent resident and lived in Canada, even for a short period, filing your first income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can provide financial benefits.
In the excitement of getting your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), it’s vital to consider the first things to do after landing in Canada. It’s now time for the next step along your immigration journey. Your Canadian journey begins when you complete all the paperwork, pack your belongings, and say your goodbyes. The first steps you take upon your arrival in Canada will set the course for a smooth settlement process. Discover the vital steps to building your life your life in Canada!
What to Expect When You Land in Canada
Knowing what to expect when you land will contribute to a smooth experience and reduce stress.
One of the first people you will meet at your arrival point in Canada will be a friendly Canada customs agent. This is when the customs agent will ask you about the goods you carry with you, goods to follow, and landing certificates such as your COPR. You’ll also meet other officials from Immigration Services. They will ask you to show your passport and visa papers.
Immigration agents will give you application forms to apply for documents such as your:
Permanent Resident (PR) Card
Social Insurance Number (SIN) card
Health care card
Driver’s license.
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Applying for these documents within the first couple of weeks after you land in Canada is important. You will need a SIN card to work in Canada, and a health care card to get provincial healthcare coverage.
When Will I Receive My Permanent Resident (PR) Card?
Your PR card is proof of your Canadian permanent resident status. You will need this card whenever you leave Canada and want to re-enter.
The time to process your PR application can vary and it can take up to two months to receive your PR card. You can check processing times here.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will mail you a wallet-sized plastic PR Card. If you change your mailing address before receiving your PR Card, notify IRCC of your change of address. You can also check the status of your application.
Important First Steps After Landing in Canada
Once you decide to immigrate, it’s time to look ahead confidently. You’ve done so much to prepare for Canada, so trust yourself, enjoy the journey, and take these steps when you land in Canada.
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1. Find Housing Accommodation
It’s important to secure short-term accommodation (a stay of less than 28 days) before you arrive in Canada. And, while you are residing in temporary housing, a vital first step is to find accommodation in Canada that will suit your long-term rental needs.
Ideally, you want to find a place that meets your needs and is relatively close to your employer. If you’re moving to a large city like Toronto, pay attention to how dispersed it is. Travel time within the Greater Toronto Area can take up to 90 minutes by car or public transit. So, factor in travel time when deciding where to live.
Rentals for Newcomers is a great place to search for the perfect rental in cities across Canada. While it’s good to research the housing market in Canada before you arrive, the best time to search for housing is after you arrive in Canada. This will allow you to visit properties, meet the landlord, and avoid rental scams.
Apply for your SIN within the first week after you arrive in Canada. Without this nine-digit number, you cannot get a job, apply for government programs and benefits, or access credit. In fact, without it, you are virtually a person without an identity in Canada. There is no cost for you to get your SIN.
3.Apply for your Healthcare Card Upon Landing in Canada
Within the first week of your arrival in Canada, apply for a healthcare card to receive free medical coverage in the province or territory where you plan to live. Some provinces, such as British Columbia, have a three-month waiting period before your healthcare coverage takes effect. It’s important to apply for provincial healthcare within your first week to minimize delays in coverage.
If you land in a province with a waiting period, you can buy private insurance to cover you and your family from unexpected healthcare costs. A waiting period applies for permanent residents in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
Only in some provinces, such as Ontario, will your healthcare coverage begin as soon as you arrive.
4. Connect with Settlement Agencies Before and After Landing in Canada
There are many immigrant service agencies across Canada to help newcomers settle. Settlement agencies provide information and many free services to help you adjust to life in Canada. Some settlement agencies even offer pre-arrival services before you land in Canada. There is a huge advantage to using settlement services before and after your arrival in Canada.
Learn About FreePre-Arrival Services
If you’re still in your home country, learn more about free pre-arrival services:
Already in Canada?Discover FreePost-Arrival Services
These are a few examples of the types of services that you can take advantage of:
Free Language Training:
Improving or enhancing your English or French language skills is a great idea because it’s critical to newcomer success. Language training may focus on basic English skills only, and may not be enough to help you succeed in the work environment. However, many colleges and industry associations offer higher-level English training to help you with:
Business English courses
Job-specific or occupation-specific language training to help you with jargon and other work-related phrases.
Host Programs:
Some organizations may offer a host program. This volunteer-based program matches immigrants with a host who can guide them through their first few months in Canada. Your “host” can help you with questions you may have such as:
Where to shop locally?
How to find housing?
How to enroll children in school?
Settlement Counselling:
Immigrating to a new country can be an emotional time. You may feel frustration, regret, and homesickness. Immigrant settlement agencies are there to support you with counselling for you and your family.
Job Search Services Before and After Landing in Canada:
Immigrant settlement agencies are also a great first step to help you with your job search. For example, they can help you to:
And, many settlement agencies offer programs to assist your job search before and after you land in Canada.
For information, tools, free webinars, and more visit our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals in Canada!
Mentorship Programs:
You can also ask the settlement agency if they offer a mentorship program. Mentoring programs connect you with someone who works in your occupation and can provide information and tips about the profession in Canada. Mentoring can be a great way to help you succeed in the workplace.
5. Set up a Bank Account
Another priority in your first few weeks in Canada is to open a bank account near your home. To open an account, you will need your landed immigrant papers and any other identification you have to prove your place of residence. You can even open a bank account before you arrive in Canada.
Banks provide different types of bank accounts including basic savings and chequing accounts. You may need a chequing account in particular because most employers will make a direct deposit to your bank account to pay you.
Over time, you will build a good relationship with your bank, and start building your credit history. One way to build credit is to apply for a secured credit card and then a traditional credit card. With a secured credit card, you provide a cash deposit in case to pay your bills. Paying your bills and loans promptly is important to build a strong Canadian credit history. Your credit history will help you when you want to get a mortgage buy a home, make a major purchase such as a car, or get a loan to start a business.
6. Enroll Your Children in School When You Land in Canada
Among the main reasons people immigrate to Canada is to give their children a better future. That starts with education. Canada guarantees an education to every child between the ages of five and 18. You must enroll your child in school as soon as possible after you arrive in Canada.
The progressive levels in the Canadian education system for children include:
Kindergarten: Children enter the school system in Kindergarten at age five.
Primary or Elementary School: After they complete Kindergarten, they attend primary or elementary school for grades 1 to 7 or 8, depending on the school district.
Secondary or High School: From grade 8 or 9 through to 12, children attend secondary school (high school). Some districts have a junior high level between elementary and high school.
Watch Linda Ryan discuss how *BCCA-Integrating Newcomers can help you access jobs faster!
Once you arrive in Canada, you have a decision to make: should I get a “survival job” to earn money or look for a job in my profession. A survival job is not the best first job you can get. But, since they are easy to obtain, survival jobs can be a helpful way to earn money to pay the bills. However, once you get a survival job, do not give up on your job search. The choice you make will greatly affect how you live in Canada for the next few years. This article will help you decide which path you should choose when you arrive in Canada.
We spoke to Linda Ryan, Provincial Manager (Apprenticeship Services) with BCCA. When it comes to survival jobs, Linda Ryan shares her advice:
“My advice is to fasten your proverbial seat belt, hunker down and budget to be out of work for up to six months. Then before you opt for that survival job (a job that pays the bills but doesn’t relate to your career dreams and/or existing education, qualifications and industry experience) take a deep breath and consider all your options and the associated positive and negative consequences of each. Only when you have given yourself the gift of considering all impacts of a decision, should you take action.
Linda Ryan, Provincial Manager (Apprenticeship Services), BCCA
What is a Survival Job?
A survival job can pay the bills. But, it doesn’t relate to your career dreams or professional background. Often, it’s a low-paying job that requires little to no skills. These jobs are easy to obtain and earn you just enough to pay the bills. Generally, survival jobs earn you under $20 per hour.
Survival jobs usually have long and tiring shifts with only one or two days off every week. These jobs also offer very few benefits from the employer such as medical or dental benefits. Although, it’s good to ask the employer if they do provide any benefits.
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Some examples of survival jobs include:
warehouse or factory worker
cashier
sales associate
delivery person, and
restaurant worker, to name a few.
Since a survival job requires little skill, it doesn’t have to be related to your profession. What skills you might need for your survival job, the employer will provide training.
Consider how a survival job can minimize the time you have to search for a career-related job.
Disadvantages of Earning Money with Survival Jobs
Getting a survival job is not always the best option after you arrive in Canada. Survival jobs can leave you with little time and energy to continue your job search. At the same time, survival jobs often give you a feeling of self-satisfaction or ease. This is because they don’t require you to do a lot of thinking and the tasks you have to do are generally easy.
When both of these factors are combined, newcomers often give up on their job search after a few years of doing survival jobs. The longer you keep a survival job, the harder it will become for you to find a job in your profession.
Another big disadvantage of doing survival jobs in the long term is experience. At first, it might sound illogical, but doing a survival job for a long time can hurt your Canadian experience.
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Earning money with a survival job for a short period is good for building Canadian experience. However, when you do such a job for a long time, employers might be hesitant to hire you as you have been doing only a survival job for the past few years. Any experience you might have had in your profession will count as older work experience and may not be taken into consideration.
“As a skilled newcomer to Canada often the biggest shock to your career trajectory is realizing that it takes time to secure work in your field of expertise.”
Linda Ryan, Provincial Manager (Apprenticeship Services), BCCA
How Much Income Will You Earn?
Then, of course, there is the matter of income. Survival jobs earn you an annual income of around $30,000 to $50,000. Depending on where you live in Canada, this income probably won’t be enough to save up for a down payment and buy a house.
In cities like Toronto or Vancouver, this salary will barely even pay the rent. Overall, a survival job allows you to earn income to help you get by until you find a job in your field. It is not meant as a permanent job and you should never think of it as your permanent job.
Many survival jobs are found in the service sector such as restaurants or tourist attractions. As Ryan explained, based on the experience of her clients: “survival jobs pay lower and create a negative cycle of ‘no time and no energy’. This is because you have to work longer hours to earn enough money, or you can’t take time off to attend interviews for your dream job. As a result, you have little energy to go home after a shift and invest in your career, pastimes, or family. This negative cycle leaves newcomers asking what did I come to Canada for?”
Another client of Ryan’s stated: “survival jobs can be more of a hindrance than a help for your career because they cannibalize the energy you have for networking, job hunting, professional development and interviewing.”
Since they are easier to obtain than regular jobs, survival jobs are usually the first job newcomers get in Canada. Canada is an expensive country that is hard to live in for a long time without earning stable money. A survival job will earn you just enough money to get by and maybe acquire some savings if you spend carefully.
Looking at the disadvantages of survival jobs, it is obvious that they may hurt your chances of getting a job in your profession. However, survival jobs are important in some situations.
When you arrive in Canada it’s wise to have up to six months of savings while you conduct your job search. If you don’t have enough savings to last you a few months, it will be hard to continue your job search without earning additional money. In this scenario, it’s helpful to get a survival job as soon as you arrive in Canada to earn money.
If you have enough savings to last you a few months, you should look for a job in your profession without any distractions. If you still cannot find a preferred job after that time, and your savings are running out, it’s time to find a survival job. As the name suggests, survival jobs are there just so you can pay the bills, nothing more.
Should You Get a Survival Job to Earn Money?
The answer to that question varies depending on your situation. Not everyone is in the same financial situation when they arrive in Canada. Whether or not you should get a survival job depends on how much savings you have, and the job outlook for your profession.
If possible, try to find a job that is related to your field. This way, when you apply for a job in your profession, you will already have some Canadian experience.
If you do have some savings, plan how long you can live on your savings. In that time, do everything in your ability to search for your preferred job. This can include:
networking (letting people know you are looking for a job)
visiting online job boards, and
contacting employment agencies.
At the end of this time, if you still can’t find a good job, it’s time for a survival job to earn money.
It’s vital to research how your profession works in Canada before you arrive. Many newcomers come to Canada thinking they will find a job in their profession easily. This isn’t always the case. Getting a job in Canada is easy if you conduct your job search the right way. This is why it is really important to research your profession before you arrive and start networking with people in your profession.
What Kind of Survival Jobs Should I Look For?
Most people will probably look for the highest-paying survival job they can find. This may not be the best approach. It is always best to find a survival job that is related to your profession in some way.
If you have a specific organization or company you want to work for, try to get a job there. For example, if you’re a teacher, you could try to get a job as a lunch supervisor or an assistant teacher. That way, when you apply for a teaching job, you will already have some Canadian experience that can help you land the job.
If you cannot find a job that is directly related to your profession, you can try to look for survival jobs that share some of the same skills with your profession. A good example would be teachers who could tutor part-time or even full-time to show future employers you can teach to Canadian standards.
When you search for survival jobs with this approach, your chances of landing a good job will be greater.
How Can I Find a Survival Job in Canada?
Finding a survival job in Canada is fairly easy if you know where to look. Below are some resources and techniques you can use to find a survival job in Canada.
Networking
Networking is the number one way of getting any kind of job in Canada. Simply put, networking is building relationships that will help you with your career. Effective networking happens by building two-way relationships. You have to show your value and prove that you have the required skills and experience to do the job. Your network can include your friends and relatives as well as people you meet during your job search.
Just showing your resumé to the HR department of the organization will not be enough. Words are much more effective and convincing than any cover letter or resumé. When you talk to someone who can help you get a job, tell them about your capabilities and skills. When that person hears about a job opening, make sure they remember you. If you left a good impression on them, they might even recommend you for the job.
Employment Agencies
Another great way to find jobs is through employment agencies. These agencies are hired by companies to find capable and experienced workers. It would be a good idea to look up some of the best employment agencies in your area and approach them. According to the Association of Canadian Search, Employment & Staffing Services, over two million workers are hired through employment agencies every year!
Online Job Boards
Online job boards are the most common way to find jobs. Websites such as Indeed and LinkedIn are great online job boards to find jobs. LinkedIn can also be used for networking. Employers use online job boards to advertise available jobs. If you see a job that interests you, you can apply directly to the employer through the job board.
In summary, a survival job is not the best first job you can get. But, since they are easy to obtain, survival jobs can be a helpful way of earning money to pay the bills. Once you get a survival job, however, do not give up on your job search. Ryan offers this final advice:
“As a newcomer looking for your first role in Canada, remember that the sooner you make it look like you have ‘Canadian experience’ (i.e. through career-relevant credentials, memberships of local professional associations, building your network, taking more junior roles that will lead to your dream job), the sooner you’ll be considered equal to Canadian educated and experienced job candidates. This will allow you to get your foot in the career door faster! And once you’re in, your career is already building momentum to be back on track!
Learn More about BCCA-IN
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
