Job Market in Canada?!?

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CanTexan

I've noticed your other questions as well, so I'm going to try to point out a few things (from those) in this answer at the same time.

First - to obtain work in Canada (assuming you're not a Canadian citizen either through birth or naturalization), you need to obtain a work visa. Usually that means being sponsored through a Canadian firm - which in turn means that they (and you) have to prove that you have something that isn't available in Canada. To prove it, you need the academic standing (with your grades and courses checked against comparable Canadian institutions), experience, and proof of who you are (valid passport). The company you'll be working for must also submit a letter stating who THEY are, what they'll be paying you, and how long your term of employment will be.

Without at least a post-secondary degree (bachelor's or equivalent), or several years' worth of relevant experience (usually in excess of 10), your chances of finding a "good" job are fairly slim.

If you are going to work in Canada with children, you would need to have a minimum of a complete Early Childhood Education program (typically takes about 24 calendar months to complete, with several "work experience" sections thrown in). Often, it means that you have to either take the whole thing through the province in which you'll be residing/working ... or will basically have to convince the provincial body to let you write the exams on your own (without taking the classes), for credit.

For immigration purposes, having a "skilled trade" and/or a post-secondary degree is far better than a high school diploma. The chances are based on a 'points' scheme that takes into account your work experience, academic achievement, language fluency, and financial stability.

As to cost of living ... you don't say whether you're making 1300-1400 before or after taxes ... I'm going to bet it's after tax, given your listed expenses. In general, as a childcare provider you can expect a "typical" pay rate of around $6 - $9 per hour, depending on what your actual position is and what part fo the country you're employed in. In some cases, it may be quite a bit higher ($20 per hour), but those are hard-to-get jobs and definitely require additional skills and academics to land.

It would be extremely tough to make ends meet on a $9/hour income, working a 40 hour week. In part, this is beacuse Canada's tax rate is MUCH higher than anywhere in the US. For example ... on your projected annual income of
($9/hr) x (40 hrs/wk) x (50 wks) = $18000, you'd be taxed at 15.5 percent for the federal tax, plus anywhere from 5.7 percent (BC) to 11 percent (SK). That means your take-home pay would be between a high of $14184 in BC to a low of $13230 in Saskatchewan.

Compare that to your California income of $15600 - $16800 after tax.

Again, whether that's a good enough number for you might depend on where you live in California, as well ... downtwon LA is going to be more expensive than almost anywhere in Canada, but living in the smaller centers of northern California will be cheaper than any urban areas in Canada.

bashah1939

Canada has a vibrant economy and so plenty of jobs. With simple skills you can get an administrative job or a job of sales and cost of living in Canada is much lower than in USA. You definitely are going to save something if you remain within your means.

jimmy crack corn

Alberta is in bad need of workers in pretty much every business. Rent is high but not as high as Toronto or vancouver or likely california either.

Ptown Gal

It totally depends on where you want to go. I'd suggest finishing college first as it is essential to have a college diploma or university degree to make a really good living.

Heaven L

depends on which part of canada. Toronto and BC are the BEST places to live in canada, in terms of diversity, job market etc, however its can get pretty expensive. It wont be much cheaper, it would probably work out to be the same, at a salary of about 1400/month you certainly wouldnt be living large but you could make it

sheloves_dablues

The job market in Alberta is booming, but the cost of living is rising, too. Wages are high, but so is rent...

Lex

Western Canada is in a boom job wise but that also means a boom in the cost of living. Rent would also be horribly expensive. Central US (Arizona) has a rather high demand for workers and also remains a low cost of living.

lee

It depends where in Canada you are thinking about. British Columbia is very expensive, so are most of the big cities, Toronto, Ottawa etc. The further east you go...towards the maritimes, the cost of living is less, but so are the wages.

bgee2001ca

The job market is not the greatest, other than in Alberta.

They are always hiring there, with the oil boom going on.

In other parts of Canada, there are some jobs, but the selection is not great.

The pay is usually pretty good, but the cost of living is high.

nbr660

Ontario is pretty good. It's alot cheaper than where you are at.

Big Wolf

Canada is a very bad place!

I spent over three years looking hard for a job in Canada through the internet. I studied a lot about the Country. I got to know a lot about its culture, geography, history, politics and so on.

It was very hard but I got to find a job approved by HRSDC, in February of this year, to work in Edmonton, Alberta.

I submitted all required documentation to the Canadian consulate. For my surprise the immigration officer refused my work permit. He said that I do not have strong economic ties to my country.

Is it not prejudice? Is the opportunities only for riches? Is not an unemployed an human?

I tried to go legally, I did everything within the law. I had employer and place to stay. But what was the advantage of doing that legally? None - Canadian government refused my visa!

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