Deciding where you will live in Canada is one of the most important steps of the immigration process.
It is also crucial to move to a province or territory that has the best jobs in Canada for immigrants in your specific occupation.
This article discusses the best provinces for immigrants to find jobs in Canada and offers some valuable tips for newcomers, so keep reading to learn all of the essential information!
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Why Choosing the Right Province Is Important for Immigrants
One of the most important decisions you will make during the Canadian immigration process is choosing where you will live and work because certain provinces have the best jobs in Canada for immigrants in general and for your occupation in particular.
There are generally good jobs in Canada for immigrants in all of the Canadian provinces and territories, however, the job prospects for someone in your specific occupation will be better in some locations than in others.
Ontario has the largest economy in Canada, accounting for around 38% of Canadian gross domestic product (GDP), while Quebec generates about 20% of Canada’s national GDP, followed by Alberta with 15% and British Columbia with 14% of Canadian GDP respectively.
These four provinces will tend to have the best jobs in Canada for immigrants, but there may be greater competition for those jobs since these are the top destinations for new immigrants.
Moving to a Canadian province with a strong economy is only one factor to consider and you should also take into account industry demand for your occupation and skills in each province.
A good place to research the Canadian job prospects for your occupation, such as how many job openings are in a particular province, is the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.
Criteria for Identifying the Best Canadian Province for Jobs
Here are several factors that you may want to use to determine the best Canadian province for jobs:
Employment Rates
These provinces had the lowest unemployment rates in Canada during May 2023:
- Quebec (4.0 percent)
- Saskatchewan (4.4 percent)
- Manitoba (4.8 percent)
- British Columbia (5.0 percent)
- Ontario (5.5 percent)
- Alberta (5.7 percent)
- Nova Scotia (5.7 percent)
Economic Growth
These provinces and territories had the strongest GDP growth from 2021 to 2022:
- Saskatchewan (+5.7 percent)
- Alberta (+5.1 percent)
- Manitoba (+3.9 percent)
- British Columbia (+3.6 percent)
- Ontario (+3.6 percent)
- Yukon (+3.3 percent)
- Prince Edward Island (+2.9 percent)
- Quebec (+2.6 percent)
- Nova Scotia (+2.6 percent)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
These provinces had the largest GDPs in Canada in 2022:
- Ontario (GDP = $779.1 billion CAD)
- Quebec (GDP = $391.1 billion CAD)
- Alberta (GDP = $339.3 billion CAD)
- British Columbia (GDP = $272 billion CAD)
- Saskatchewan (GDP = $81.8 billion CAD)
- Manitoba (GDP = $64.5 billion CAD)
- Nova Scotia (GDP = $40 billion CAD)
Median Hourly Wage
These provinces had the highest median hourly wages in Canada (May 31, 2023):
- Alberta = $28.85 CAD per hour
- British Columbia = $27.50 CAD per hour
- Ontario = $27.00 CAD per hour
- Saskatchewan = $26.22 CAD per hour
- Quebec = $26.00 CAD per hour
- Newfoundland & Labrador = $25.00 CAD per hour
- Manitoba = $23.94 CAD per hour
Job Vacancies
These provinces had the most Canadian job vacancies in April 2023:
- Ontario = 281,180 job vacancies
- Quebec = 209,230 job vacancies
- British Columbia = 124,955 job vacancies
- Alberta = 103,485 job vacancies
- Manitoba = 28,215 job vacancies
- Saskatchewan = 25,980 job vacancies
- Nova Scotia = 18,955 job vacancies
Best Provinces for Immigrants to Find Jobs in Canada
After considering the factors above, the best provinces for immigrants to find jobs in Canada are:
- Ontario – Canada’s biggest economy, largest city (Toronto), and national capital (Ottawa) are in Ontario.
- Quebec – This mostly French-speaking province is home to Montreal, the second largest city in Canada.
- British Columbia – Canada’s third largest city, Vancouver, is in the Pacific Coast province of British Columbia.
- Alberta – Calgary and Edmonton are the two largest cities in Alberta, which is rich in natural resources.
- Manitoba – Winnipeg is the major city in Manitoba, which is one of Canada’s Prairie Provinces.
- Saskatchewan – Regina and Saskatoon are the largest cities in Saskatchewan and known for their affordability.
Conclusion
There are good jobs in Canada for immigrants in all of the Canadian provinces and territories, but the best provinces for immigrants to find jobs in Canada are in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta have the most Canadian job openings and are where the largest cities in Canada are located. Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan have the highest median hourly wages, but your income can stretch further in Saskatchewan where there is a lower cost of living.
Saskatchewan also had the strongest economic growth in Canada during 2021-2022, followed by Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia and Ontario.
When choosing where to live and work in Canada, you should also research which provinces have the most job openings for your occupation and skills. In order to legally live and work in Canada, you must be approved for Canadian permanent residency or a work permit.
Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility to apply for permanent residency in Canada and also guide you through each step of the application procedure if you qualify.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Which provinces have the highest employment rates for immigrants?
The best Canadian job opportunities for immigrants are in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
What factors should I consider besides job opportunities when choosing a province to settle in?
In addition to considering job opportunities in your occupation, you may also want to explore the cost of living in each province’s largest cities compared with the suburbs and smaller cities in each province. Furthermore, you might want to learn if there are ethnic communities from your home country or culture in the various provinces. There are differences in climate and weather across Canada (for example, Vancouver is generally warmer than Toronto in the winter). Other factors to consider could include the educational options and types of activities that are available.
Can I find good job opportunities in smaller provinces or is it better to focus on major cities?
There are good jobs in Canada for immigrants living in big cities, suburbs, smaller cities and towns. Much depends on what your occupation is and what type of lifestyle you want to have. Large cities will tend to have more Canadian job openings, however, housing is more expensive compared with the suburbs, smaller cities and towns. Many immigrants find good jobs in large cities, but they live in the suburbs where housing is less expensive and commute to work. Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia have been attracting a lot of immigrants lately, because these provinces have jobs and more affordable housing.
Which province in Canada needs the most immigrants?
Skilled foreign workers are in high demand in all of Canada’s provinces and territories. Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia have the most Canadian job openings, so they likely need the most skilled foreign workers as well. Immigrants currently account for around 100% of Canadian job growth and about 80% of Canada’s population growth. As millions of Canadians retire from the labor force, the demand for skilled foreign workers is expected to only increase throughout Canada. For example, the Canadian immigration plan seeks 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023, 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025.
