Construction Jobs in Canada

In such a large country, it is no surprise that the different cities across Canada have their own unique attributes. In Vancouver, you can find a clean city at the foot of a landscape of mountains. In Montreal, you can wander through captivating old European-style streets, and visit bustling art galleries, cafes, and nightclubs. In Toronto, you will be surrounded by an energetic buzz in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Because Canada is such a large country, there are plenty of opportunities for construction jobs in Canada for foreigners.

Vancouver. One of the best parts about living in Vancouver is that nature is right at your doorstep. With beautiful tree-lined streets, local beaches overlooking the mountains, and a giant park smack dab in the middle of the city (Stanley Park), nature is everywhere in Vancouver. Within a short drive from downtown Vancouver, you can find yourself in protected provincial parks, swimming in freshwater lakes, or camping in the wilderness. Vancouver has one of the mildest climates in Canada, with hardly any snow, so it is perfect if you do not love the cold. Vancouver is truly an excellent city for any nature lover! It is also a growing city, with lots of opportunities to work abroad in Canada in construction.

Toronto. Toronto is Canada’s most populated city, and is a cultural and economic hub for the entire country. Due to its multiculturalism, Toronto has tons of delicious food options. The city loves its festivals, events and concerts, so there is always some event or other to attend. Toronto is perfect for those who are always looking for something to do and somewhere to go—it is a bustling and exciting city. 

Montreal. Montreal is quintessentially French-Canadian. Living in Montreal allows you to experience a unique Canadian-European charm, and expose yourself to the bilingualism of Canada. Montreal is located in the province of Quebec, where French is the majority official language, so it is the perfect place to work construction jobs in Canada if you are looking to brush up on your French skills. Montreal is known for being chic, sleek, and cool (and very cold).

Cost of living and expected salary. The average salary for construction workers in Canada is 18 CAD/hour, which is a livable wage in many cities, especially outside of the city center. You can expect to pay $1000 a month for a one bedroom apartment in most cities, and even lower in less populated cities or outside of the city centre. In more expensive cities such as Vancouver or Toronto, rent will set you back around $2000 a month. Many younger people live with roommates, which can drastically lower your living costs. An inexpensive meal out costs around $15, and cooking at home can save you a lot of money; an average week of groceries for one person will cost around $60. Start saving up for your trip now with FundMyTravel. 

Accommodations. Many expats find their own living accomodations when they move to Vancouver, and many students and young expats choose to share apartments or houses to save money. It is reasonably easy to find places to live in Canada, and renters are well protected by tenant laws. Many renters sign a year-long lease for longer-term living, or you can sublet for short-term rentals. 

Visas. If you are between 18-30 years old, you might be eligible for a working holiday visa in Canada. Canada has working holiday agreements with a number of countries, including Australia, Japan, and Ireland (and the list goes on!). Otherwise, to work abroad in construction in Canada, you will usually need a work permit or visa to work in Canada. The GoAbroad embassy directory is a great starting point to figure out what visa you need to work construction jobs in Canada for foreigners. 

Safety. Canada is extremely safe (and apologetic!). People are generally willing to help wherever you go. Even pickpocketing is rare in Canada! More common is petty theft or bike thefts, which do occasionally occur, so it is best not to leave your belongings unattended in public. Many areas in Canada do get extremely cold in the winter (frostbite or hypothermia-levels of cold), so make sure to bundle up if necessary!

Why work a boring construction job at home, when you can do it in Canada instead? Finding a construction job in Canada is a good excuse to do some traveling, all while putting your skills and training to work. Canada is home to some of the world’s most livable cities, and some of the world’s most beautiful wildlife. 

When people say Canada gets cold, they are not kidding! But it is totally livable, and there is a certain magic to fresh, falling snow on a crisp winter day. Canadians cannot stress enough how important it is to make sure you stay warm in the winter. A flimsy windbreaker will not cut it on a mid-January day with a -40 C wind chill. But this does not mean Canadians hide all winter! There is an abundance of fun winter sports and festivals to participate in, even when it is frigidly cold outside. Whether you want to barrel down a hill on an inner tube or toboggan, test your balance skiing or snowboarding, build an epic snowman, or hide inside with a warm mug of hot chocolate, winter is a magical season in Canada!

Working a construction job in Canada means you will gain valuable travel experience, as well as make some money and gain work experience along the way. It’s a win-win! You get to live in one of the most livable countries in the world, with endless chances to explore on the weekend (would you prefer to go on a camping trip, go skiing, or visit a maple syrup farm this weekend?). So pack up your toolbelt and your winter coat, and work abroad in Canada in construction!

Excited for your trip to Canada yet? Keep reading!