5 Employee Benefits to Look Forward to in Canada

Besides the abundance of jobs in nearly every industry, working in Canada comes with a great paycheck and amazing employee benefits. Employee benefits in Canada range from paid maternity and paternity leave, disability benefits and employment insurance, and extended health care. Canada offers its employees some of the most amazing benefits.

Interested in exploring employment opportunities in Canada? If you are, here are five employee benefits to look forward to in Canada!

5 Employee Benefits to Look Forward to in Canada

5 employee benefits to look forward to in canada

When it comes to employee benefits, Canada offers a range of options that can greatly enhance the overall well-being and job satisfaction of employees. Here are five employee benefits to look forward to in Canada:

Family Caregiver Benefits

Canada recognizes the importance of supporting employees who are caregivers for their loved ones. The Family Caregiver Benefit provides financial assistance to eligible individuals who take time off work to care for a critically ill or injured family member.

Family Caregiver Benefits help with the costs of raising children, including children with disabilities. Employment Insurance (EI) covers maternity, parental, and caregiving benefits and paid leave.

EI caregiver benefits provide financial assistance for Canadian workers when they are away from work due to caring for or supporting a critically ill or injured person in their child. You can receive 55% of your earnings, up to a maximum of 870,09 CAD a week. Caregivers don’t have to be related to or live with the person they care for or support

Other important family and caregiving includes:

  • Maternity and parental benefits
  • Canada Child Benefit
  • Canada Pension Plan (CPP) children's benefits
  • Canada Dental Benefit
  • Child disability benefit
  • Canada Child Benefit

Disability Benefits

You’re entitled to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit, a monthly payment, if you:

  • Are under 65 years of age
  • Made enough contributions into the CPP
  • Have a physical or mental disability that consistently prevents you from doing substantially gainful work
  • Have a long-term disability of indefinite duration and may likely result in your death

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a long-term savings plan created to assist disabled people approved for the Disability Tax Credit to save. After opening a plan, you can receive grants and bonds from the Canadian government.

Deductions and tax credits are made available to persons with disabilities, their caregivers and supporting family members.

Housing Benefits

Housing benefits in Canada generally encompass:

  • Housing rebates
  • Buying a home
  • Making homes more energy-efficient
  • Funding for Indigenous housing construction and renovation

Certain employers in Canada include housing benefits in their employee compensation packages. These compensation package housing benefits include assistance with mortgage or rent payments, housing allowances, or affordable housing programs.

Commonly issued housing benefits include:

  • Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit
  • GST/HST new housing rebate
  • Home buyers' amount
  • First home savings account
  • Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)

Canada Public Pensions

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) provide retirement benefits to eligible employees. Created by the Canadian government, both are statutory pension plans. Both employers and employees contribute to the CPP, and QPP plans to secure financial security in retirement.

The CPP retirement pension is a monthly, taxable benefit that is your income once you retire. Eligible permanent resident Canadian workers will receive the CPP retirement pension for the rest of their life. To be eligible, you must:

  • Must be at least 60 years old
  • Made a minimum of one contribution to the CPP

Valid contributions must come from work you did in Canada or the result of receiving credits from a former spouse or common-law partner.

Other public pensions permanent resident Canadian employees are entitled to include:

  • Old Age Security pension
  • Guaranteed Income Supplement
  • Allowance for people aged 60 to 64
  • Retirement planning
  • Survivor's Pension
  • Allowance for the Survivor

Paid Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to various types of paid leave in Canada. This includes vacation leave, sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave. The amount of paid leave varies according to employment length and provincial regulations.

EI sickness benefits provide you with financial assistance if you cannot work due to medical reasons. If you qualify, you’ll be entitled to 55% of your earnings up to a maximum of 870,85 CAD a week. The date your claim begins will determine the number of weeks you’ll receive your benefits.

Make sure to receive a medical certificate as proof of your inability to work for medical reasons and for approximately how long. Medical reasons include:

  • Illness
  • Injury
  • Quarantine
  • Any medical condition preventing you from working

How to Find Work in Canada

how to find work in canada

With the right approach and resources, it is possible to overcome the challenges of finding work in Canada. Here are some tips to help you in your job search:

Find Your Jobs’ NOC Code

Before you can start looking for work in Canada, you must find out which National Occupational Classification (NOC) code your job is classified under. Make sure you consult the updated 2021 system with Teaching, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) Categories.

Research

Spend some time researching the companies and industries where you would like to work. This can help you tailor your job search and prepare for interviews. Use job search portals. Many job search portals available online can help you find job postings across Canada. Some popular portals include:

Network

Networking is crucial to finding jobs in Canada. It is recommended that you consistently:

  • Attend job fairs and conferences
  • Join professional associations
  • Connect with people in your industry to expand your contacts.
  • Enlist in job development workshops

By networking, you increase your chances of receiving job opportunities through positive word of mouth and references.

Prepare a Good Resume

Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) is often the first impression you make on potential employers. Make sure it is tailored to the job you are applying for and highlights your skills and experience.

Learn how to write the perfect CV for work in Canada.

Gather the Required Documents and Apply

Submit your CV to your prospective employment opportunity by following the guidelines outlined in the job post's eligibility requirements. Please note that legitimate Canadian employers don’t have any application fee costs

Please Note:

Programs like Canada InfoNet and Zero2Hired.com can connect you with Canadians in your profession who can provide mentorship and support as you integrate into the workforce.

Learn more about how to find work in Canada.

How Can You Work in Canada?

how can you work in canada

If you are interested in working in Canada, there are several programs and permits available to you. Here are some of the options.

Temporary Foreign Work Permit (TFWP)

A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required for a foreign national to obtain a Temporary Foreign Work Permit (TFWP). Canadian employers wishing to employ a foreign worker in Canada must obtain a positive LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Foreign nationals interested in working in Canada usually require a written job offer from a Canadian employer to apply for a work permit.

Commonly used TFWP include:

International Mobility Program (IMP)

The International Mobility Program (IMP) is an immigration program enabling Canadian employers to hire eligible foreign immigrant workers based on specific economic and labor market needs. It enables employers to hire non Canadian residents or citizens to temporarily live and work in Canada without providing an LMIA. This provides them with more flexible access to potential employees.

Please note

An LMIA is not required for a foreign national to obtain an IMP Canada work permit.

The most commonly used IMPs include:

IEC Working Holiday Program

International Experience Canadas’(IEC) Working Holiday Visa program allows young people from eligible countries to work and travel in Canada for up to 24 months. Certain nations not on the list of IEC-eligible countries can apply through a Recognized Organization in Canada.

FAQs

What Percentage of an Employee's Salary Contributes to Benefits in Canada?

The percentage of an employee's salary that contributes to benefits in Canada varies depending on the employer and the type of benefits offered. Mandatory benefits, such as provincial healthcare coverage and pension contributions, are required by Canadian employment law.

Supplementary benefits, such as dental treatment contributions, retirement planning, and well-being benefits, are optional and can vary by employer.

Are Employee Benefits Taxable in Canada?

Employee benefits in Canada are generally taxable, with some exceptions. For example, employer contributions to a registered pension plan or group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) are not taxable to the employee until they are withdrawn.

Additionally, some health and dental benefits may be tax-free if provided through a group plan. It is recommended to consult with a tax professional for specific information on taxable employee benefits in Canada.