At Remitly, we want you to explore all that a new country has to offer. In Canada, a connection to the outdoors is a big part of the nation’s culture. So it’s no surprise that the country has a huge seasonal employment industry where work and weather are closely intertwined.
Canada’s climate is varied and can, at times, be harsh. Not to mention the ever-evolving influence of climate change. If you’re interested in seasonal work in Canada, or you’re curious to know more about the industry, read on.
Canadian weather and the industries it has impacted
The weather is the guiding force behind the seasonal employment industry in Canada. Seasonal employment refers to any job posting that’s temporary because it’s only necessary during certain times of the year. These high seasons are typically defined by seasonal changes.
An overview of Canadian weather patterns
Canada is a huge country, so its climate varies greatly across the seasons and from one province or territory to another. In general, though, you can expect cold winters with a lot of snow, and warm summers.
In the north of the country, you can expect more extreme cold. The western coast of Canada borders the Pacific Ocean and is marked by a more temperate, milder climate. Regardless of where you are in Canada, you can expect to experience four distinct seasons: cold winters, mild springs, warm summers, and crisp falls.
Because of Canada’s northerly location, summer days are marked by longer daylight hours. On the other hand, winters can be quite dark, with relatively short days.
Here’s an overview of Canadian weather, depending on your location:
- Pacific Coast (Vancouver)
Relatively mild temperatures throughout the year. Frequent precipitation, usually rain. Rarely experiences extreme cold or heat. - Central Canada (Toronto)
More extreme temperatures with moisture in the air result in cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. - Prairies (Saskatchewan)
Extreme temperature swings with less moisture in the air. Hot, dry summers and cold winters. - Arctic regions
Extremely cold, long winters. Short, cool summers. Limited precipitation.
Key seasonal employment sectors in Canada
Canada has always had a relationship with seasonal work. Many outdoor and hands-on industries have a high percentage of seasonally employed workers. There are also seasonal workers in other industries that are not related to the weather.
- Fishing and trapping (April to November)
Fishing is a multi-billion-dollar industry in Canada and the country is one of the top global exporters of fish and seafood. Trapping is primarily done for animal pelts, but sometimes for meat as well. - Forestry (July to March)
Canada’s forestry industry produces lumber, paper, and other related products. Canada is the world’s second-largest producer of softwood lumber. This industry is particularly popular in rural Canada and amongst Indigenous communities. - Agriculture and food processing (harvest season, September–November)
Canada is a huge producer of both crops and livestock. The agriculture and agri-food sector is a key driver of the Canadian economy. - Construction (spring)
Building and maintaining infrastructure, buildings, and facilities is big business in Canada. This industry employs about 1.6 million people. - Others (varies)
Administrative workers and retail workers can also see an increase in jobs based on the season. For example, big shopping seasons like the Christmas holidays create more jobs in retail in a predictable way every year.
The challenges and opportunities of seasonal employment
Seasonal work is an amazing opportunity for anyone who loves variety in their life. If you’re someone who likes travel, exploring different industries, or earning extra money, seasonal employment could be for you. However, with the excitement can come challenges, which have to be considered.
Job fluctuation
Seasonal work means that jobs are temporary. If you’re looking for security, a seasonal job probably isn’t for you. Seasonal work is also often time-sensitive. This requires unusual work hours, like long days and work on weekends and holidays.
Many seasonal work positions will be compensated at minimum wage and have fewer benefits. It’s often the case that you’ll receive little to no training as a seasonal worker. Instead, you’ll be expected to have the skills necessary already, or be a self-starting learner who can figure it out as you go.
A lot of seasonal work is very demanding, too. The financial instability can provide some extra income to send home at some periods of the year, but can make longer-term financial planning more difficult.
Opportunities in diverse sectors
If you’re looking to gain experience in diverse sectors, seasonal work is a great option. For young people, students, or people changing industries, seasonal work presents an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new industry temporarily. You can gain skills that could translate to other jobs and bulk up your résumé.
Seasonal jobs are also a great way to earn money by doing something interesting and different while you weigh up your longer-term plans. An outdoor seasonal job may involve travel, for example. In Canada, that could mean experiencing the country’s rich wildlife instead of being stuck at a desk.
Temporary work is great for people who are strong networkers and can build meaningful relationships quickly. You can increase your professional network and get a glimpse into different companies before making any moves to seek more permanent work.
Climate change in Canada
Climate change is affecting Canada through more extreme weather events and its economic impact. Sea levels are rising and the Arctic areas of Canada in particular are warming at an alarming rate.
- Heatwaves in Canada are becoming more frequent and more severe. Once heat settles in an area, it now moves more slowly. In 2024, central and eastern Canada experienced a standout heatwave. Extreme heat is expected to be more common in the future as climate change continues to affect Canada.
- Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense, too. In 2023, Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record.
- Rising temperatures have also made flooding more common, damaging infrastructure and environment alike.
- Canada’s coastal communities are threatened by rising sea levels.
These changes have wrought considerable damage to Canada, for both humans and wildlife:
- Diseases
Canada has a lot of large, wild areas that are homes to disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes and ticks. The warming temperatures are increasing the areas where these insects can live, and increasing the length of their breeding season. This in turn can present additional disease risk for humans and animals. - Infrastructure
Aging infrastructure, like roads and buildings, is susceptible to extreme weather events. - Food and agriculture
Droughts, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events are negatively affecting this sector. However, warming temperatures are extending the growing period, which at least presents a potential opportunity for food and agriculture production in Canada. - Wildlife
Many animal species are affected by climate change, especially as their natural habitats are changing or disappearing.
Employment insurance and seasonal workers
One of the challenges of the effects of climate change can be the unpredictability of seasonal work. If extreme weather or a wildfire makes seasonal work like forestry impossible, for example, there would be no income for the people in that sector.
Fortunately, Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) program provides temporary income support to unemployed workers. In order to receive EI payments, you have to have paid into the system during the past year, as well as meet all eligibility requirements. The general requirements for collecting EI benefits are:
- Having a valid work permit,
- Losing your job through no fault of your own,
- Have worked a sufficient number of hours in the past 52 weeks,
- Being ready, willing, and able to work,
- Actively looking for work.
The EI program website has special pages for temporary workers like farmers and fishers. You can apply for EI benefits online.
How the government supports seasonal workers
The Canadian government recognizes how integral seasonal workers are to many of the top industries in the country. There are policies that support seasonal workers and help to ensure that seasonal work is a viable option for anybody who wishes to work in this way.
Financially, the EI program supports seasonal workers by providing funds for people who are between jobs. The EI program has additional benefits for workers in seasonal employment. If you’re a seasonal worker, you could potentially receive up to nine additional weeks of financial support.
For people coming into Canada from abroad, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) allows them to complete a season of work in Canada and then return to their home countries. These bilateral agreements benefit workers from Mexico and the Caribbean.
If you’re a young person between the ages of about 18 and 30, you can take advantage of the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program. This program provides wage subsidies to employers who create summer job opportunities for young people.
Overall, Canada’s reputation of being incredibly welcoming and friendly towards foreigners is reflected in its programs and policies that support seasonal workers. Canadians know that many of their top industries are built on the important work that seasonal workers contribute to the economy. Many of these seasonal workers are immigrants or newcomers to Canada.
If you’re ready to make the move to Canada and don’t already have a work opportunity lined up, why not consider temporary work? You’ll gain new experiences, meet new people, and get out into Canadian nature!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered seasonal work in Canada?
In Canada, the term “seasonal work” refers to temporary job posts that are only necessary during certain times of the year, typically related to weather patterns or seasonal demand. For example, many jobs in agriculture and tourism have a busy season during which additional employees are hired. When the season ends, these employees are then laid off.
Are there resources for seasonal workers and employers?
Yes. The go-to resource for seasonal work in Canada is the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). This online tool allows Canadian employers to hire seasonal workers for the agricultural high season in Canada. The SAWP is monitored by the Canadian government to provide information about requirements, application processes, and workers’ rights.
In terms of climate change, is Canada a secure place to live?
In general, some people believe that Canada will be a fairly secure place to live as climate change advances. Canada is a very large country and climate change will have different effects across the different landscapes.
In some areas, the warming temperatures will lengthen growing seasons, creating opportunities in Canadian agriculture. However, rising sea levels will affect Canadian coasts and warming temperatures are extremely notable in the Canadian Arctic.
Do I need a work permit to do seasonal work in Canada?
Yes, a work permit is required to do seasonal work in Canada. A simple way to get working rights in Canada is to apply for the working holiday visa, which is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program. The eligibility requirements are different depending on what country you’re applying from, but in general, the program is open to adults ages 18 to 35.