Key takeaways
- Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca) is the Government of Canada’s free job site, with job alerts and wage data
- Provincial programs such as Employment Ontario and WorkBC give free one-on-one job help
- Employment Insurance (EI) pays 55% of average weekly insured earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026
- You need 420 to 700 insured work hours in the last 52 weeks to qualify for regular EI
- Never pay for a job offer or for an LMIA. Both are illegal for employers to charge you
How to use Job Bank
Job Bank is the Government of Canada’s free job board. You do not need an account to search, but a free account adds useful features:
- Job alerts by email for new jobs that match your search.
- Job Match, which compares your skills and experience to job postings.
- Trend analysis: wages and job outlook for each occupation in each region. This helps you know what salary to ask for.
- Career planning tools, such as the education and requirements for each job.
Many employers who hire foreign workers must advertise on Job Bank as part of their Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Those postings are marked. You can also search postings open to newcomers, youth, and Indigenous people.
Tips for better results: search by job title and by NOC code, set a few alerts with different titles, and read the wage data for your city before an interview. If a posting asks you to pay a fee, or only gives a personal email address and no company name, do not apply.
Find your occupation code with our NOC code finder. Job Bank uses the same National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.
What Service Canada does for job seekers
Service Canada is the federal office for many programs. For job seekers, the main ones are:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN). You need a SIN to work in Canada. It is free. See how to get a SIN.
- Employment Insurance (EI). Temporary income if you lose your job through no fault of your own.
- Record of Employment (ROE). Your employer sends this to Service Canada when you stop working. EI uses it to count your hours.
- Youth programs such as Canada Summer Jobs, for people aged 15 to 30.
Service Canada does not run one-on-one job coaching. Provinces do that (see below).
Employment Insurance basics (2026)
EI regular benefits are for people who lose their job through no fault of their own, for example a layoff or a contract ending. You pay EI premiums from every paycheque, so permanent residents and work permit holders can both qualify.
| Rule | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Benefit rate | 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings |
| Maximum insurable earnings | $68,900 a year (from January 1, 2026) |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $729 |
| Hours needed | 420 to 700 insured hours in the last 52 weeks, depending on your region’s unemployment rate |
Apply online as soon as you stop working, even if you do not have your ROE yet. If you quit without a good reason, or were fired for misconduct, you usually cannot get EI. As a new worker, you may not have enough hours yet. Check your region’s number on Service Canada’s eligibility page.
Free provincial employment programs
Provinces run free employment centres. Staff help with resumes, job search, interview practice and training. Many also pay employers a wage subsidy to hire you, or pay for short training courses. Most are open to permanent residents and to many work permit holders.
| Province | Program |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Employment Ontario: job search help, apprenticeships, Better Jobs Ontario training |
| British Columbia | WorkBC centres: job search, training and wage subsidies |
| Alberta | ALIS and Alberta Supports career services |
| Quebec | Services Québec employment offices; see Quebec.ca |
| Other provinces | Search “[province] employment services”, or call 2-1-1 |
Settlement agencies also run job programs for newcomers. Many include mentoring and bridging programs for internationally trained professionals. See free settlement services.
Help for internationally trained professionals
Many jobs in Canada are regulated. Nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers, electricians and many others need a provincial licence before they can work in their field. Start early:
- Find your regulator with our regulator finder, and read credential recognition.
- Ask a settlement agency about bridging programs. These short courses fill the gap between your training and Canadian requirements.
- The federal Foreign Credential Recognition Program funds low-interest loans through partner organizations to pay for exams, courses and licensing fees. Ask a settlement agency which lender serves your area.
While you work toward your licence, a related job (for example, a lab assistant role while you become licensed as a lab technologist) builds Canadian experience.
Free and low-cost training
Training is often the fastest way to a better job. Look at:
- Provincial training funds. Programs such as Better Jobs Ontario can pay for short-term skills training for people who were laid off. WorkBC and Alberta have similar programs. Ask at an employment centre.
- Apprenticeships. Skilled trades (electrician, plumber, welder, cook) are learned on the job while you earn a wage. Your provincial apprenticeship office explains how to get your foreign trade experience assessed.
- Free online courses. Many public libraries give free access to online learning platforms with a library card. See free and discounted things.
- Canada Training Credit. If you are 26 to 65, file taxes and earn enough, you build up $250 a year (up to $5,000) that you can claim back when you pay eligible tuition.
- Language for work. Settlement agencies offer job-specific English and French classes, for example for health care or construction.
Job scams to avoid
- Never pay for a job. An employer or recruiter cannot charge you for a job offer. Employers also cannot make you pay for their Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- Be careful with “cheque” jobs. If an employer sends you a cheque and asks you to send back part of the money, it is a scam.
- Do not give your SIN before an offer. An employer needs your SIN only after you are hired.
- Check the company. Search the name, look for a real website and address.
Read more in immigration scams and Canadian resume and job search.