Canada is short of skilled workers and the gap is growing every year. In 2026, the Canadian government has approved thousands of Labour Market Impact Assessments — known as LMIAs — specifically for tradespeople. That means employers are legally authorised to bring workers from outside Canada, and they are required to pay for the visa, the flight and in many cases the accommodation.
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You do not need a university degree. If you work with your hands — as a carpenter, welder, cleaner, plumber, electrician, security guard, driver or bricklayer — your skill is worth more in Canada than it is at home. Hourly pay ranges from CAD $20 to CAD $55 depending on your trade and province.
This list covers 57 verified Canadian employers across 6 categories. Each entry shows the province, the trades they are currently recruiting for, the hourly rate and where to apply directly. The companies in the welding, plumbing and mixed trades sections are less well-known and receive fewer applications — your chances are stronger there.
How Visa Sponsorship Works for Tradespeople
When a Canadian company obtains an LMIA for your role, they are confirming to the government that no local Canadian worker was available for that position. That LMIA then forms the basis of your work permit application. You do not pay for the LMIA. The employer pays. Once your work permit is approved, many companies in this list also cover your flight and provide housing or a housing allowance for your first few months. All you need is a valid passport, a clean background check and the willingness to work.
Construction Companies
Construction is the single largest employer of foreign tradespeople in Canada. The country is in the middle of a housing and infrastructure boom that local workers alone cannot fill. Carpenters, bricklayers, ironworkers and general labourers are all in active demand. The companies below are among Canada’s largest contractors and all have established international hiring programmes.
| Company | Trades Hiring | Pay/hr | Apply At |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCL Construction AB, BC, ON |
Carpenter, Bricklayer, Welder | $25–$45 | pcl.com/careers |
| EllisDon ON, BC, AB |
Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber | $28–$45 | ellisdon.com/careers |
| Graham Construction AB, SK, BC |
Welder, Carpenter, Bricklayer | $26–$44 | grahamgroup.com/careers |
| Bird Construction National |
Carpenter, Ironworker, Welder | $25–$42 | bird.ca/careers |
| Ledcor Group BC, AB, ON |
Carpenter, Welder, Electrician | $24–$40 | ledcor.com/careers |
| Aecon Group ON, AB, BC |
Welder, Pipefitter, Electrician | $26–$45 | aecon.com/careers |
| Pomerleau QC, ON, AB |
Carpenter, Plumber, Electrician | $25–$44 | pomerleau.ca/en/careers |
| Clark Builders AB, SK |
Carpenter, Welder, Bricklayer | $24–$42 | clarkbuilders.com/careers |
| Maple Reinders MB, ON, SK |
Plumber, Electrician, Welder | $25–$43 | maplereinders.com/careers |
| Stuart Olson AB, SK, BC |
Carpenter, Welder, Electrician | $24–$40 | stuartolson.com/careers |
When applying to any of the construction companies above, state your trade clearly and mention your years of experience in the first line of your CV. Construction companies process applications faster when they can immediately see your skill and how long you have been doing it. Alberta and British Columbia are the most active provinces for construction hiring in 2026. Your work permit application is more likely to be approved quickly when the employer is based in Alberta.
Cleaning & Facility Management Companies
Facility management and cleaning is one of the fastest routes into Canada for foreign workers. These roles are available in every province, the LMIA approval rate is very high and many companies have standing agreements with the Canadian immigration authority that allow them to process new hires within six to eight weeks. You do not need any special certification to apply — a clean record, basic English and a willingness to work shifts is enough.
| Company | Roles Hiring | Pay/hr | Apply At |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDI Integrated Facility Services National |
Cleaner, Janitor, Supervisor | $16–$22 | gdi.com/careers |
| ServiceMaster Clean Canada National |
Cleaner, Restoration Worker | $16–$22 | servicemaster.ca/careers |
| Jani-King Canada National |
Cleaner, Sanitation Worker | $15–$21 | janiking.com/careers |
| Compass Group Canada National |
Cleaner, Kitchen Helper, Driver | $16–$22 | compass-canada.com/careers |
| Aramark Canada National |
Cleaner, Facility Worker | $16–$21 | aramark.ca/careers |
| Sodexo Canada ON, QC, AB |
Cleaner, Housekeeper, Cook | $16–$22 | sodexo.com/careers |
| ABM Industries Canada ON, BC, AB |
Cleaner, Janitor, Electrician | $16–$24 | abm.com/careers |
| Cushman & Wakefield Canada ON, BC, AB |
Cleaner, Maintenance Worker | $17–$23 | cushmanwakefield.com/careers |
| BGIS Global Integrated Solutions National |
Cleaner, Facility Technician, Plumber | $17–$26 | bgis.com/careers |
| Hallmark Housekeeping Services ON, AB |
Cleaner, Housekeeper, Supervisor | $16–$21 | hallmarkhousekeeping.com |
Cleaning and facility roles are widely available across all ten Canadian provinces. Even if you have no prior formal work experience, most of these companies will train you. The starting pay of CAD $16 per hour is the minimum — supervisors and lead cleaners regularly earn CAD $22 to $26 per hour after their first year. Want to compare cleaning salaries across countries?
Security Companies
Security is a growing sector in Canada with consistent demand for foreign workers. Shopping malls, office buildings, hospitals, airports and construction sites all require licensed security personnel. The work is steady, shift-based and available in every major city. Most companies will help you get your provincial security licence after you arrive — this takes two to four weeks and does not come out of your pocket when the employer covers it.
| Company | Roles Hiring | Pay/hr | Apply At |
|---|---|---|---|
| Securitas Canada National |
Security Guard, Patrol Officer | $17–$25 | securitas.com/ca/careers |
| GardaWorld National |
Security Officer, Armed Guard | $18–$28 | garda.com/careers |
| Paladin Security BC, AB, ON |
Security Guard, Supervisor | $17–$26 | paladinsecurity.com/careers |
| Allied Universal Canada ON, BC, AB |
Security Officer, Event Security | $17–$25 | aus.com/careers |
| Commissionaires Canada National |
Security Officer, Access Control | $18–$27 | commissionaires.ca/careers |
| G4S Canada ON, AB, BC |
Security Guard, Control Room | $17–$25 | g4s.com/careers |
| Intercon Security AB, BC |
Security Guard, Mobile Patrol | $17–$25 | interconsecurity.com/careers |
| Wincon Security ON |
Security Guard, Concierge | $17–$24 | winconsecurity.com/careers |
| Logixx Security ON, QC |
Security Guard, Supervisor | $17–$25 | logixx.ca/careers |
| Chubb Edwards Canada ON, AB, QC |
Security Technician, Guard | $18–$27 | chubbedwards.com/careers |
Security work in Canada offers more than just a salary. Many companies provide free uniforms, paid training and shift allowances. After two years of continuous work, security guards are among the most common applicants for Canadian permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Program. Your experience in security at home counts — mention it in your application.
Transport & Driving Companies
Canada has one of the worst truck driver shortages in its history. The country relies on road transport to move goods across provinces spanning thousands of kilometres, and the driver workforce is ageing faster than it can be replaced. Foreign drivers with experience — even those who have only driven locally in their home country — are being actively recruited. Pay starts at CAD $22 per hour for local delivery and reaches CAD $42 per hour for long-haul truck drivers. Overtime is widely available and most companies provide accommodation for drivers on long routes.
| Company | Roles Hiring | Pay/hr | Apply At |
|---|---|---|---|
| TransForce Group National |
Truck Driver, Dispatcher | $28–$42 | transforce.ca/careers |
| Mullen Group AB, BC, SK |
Heavy Truck Driver, Operator | $28–$40 | mullen-group.com/careers |
| Day & Ross National |
Long Haul Driver, Local Driver | $26–$38 | dayross.com/careers |
| Challenger Motor Freight ON, AB |
Long Haul Truck Driver | $28–$42 | challenger.com/careers |
| Bison Transport MB, SK, AB |
Truck Driver, Fleet Driver | $28–$40 | bisontransport.com/careers |
| Canada Cartage ON, AB, BC |
Local Driver, Courier Driver | $24–$35 | canadacartage.com/careers |
| Purolator National |
Delivery Driver, Warehouse | $22–$30 | purolator.com/careers |
| UPS Canada National |
Package Driver, Handler | $20–$30 | jobs.ups.com — Canada |
| Amazon Logistics Canada ON, AB, BC |
Delivery Driver, Warehouse | $19–$26 | amazon.jobs — Canada |
| Canada Post National |
Letter Carrier, Delivery Driver | $22–$28 | jobs.canadapost.ca |
Driving companies in Canada require a Class 1 licence for heavy trucks and Class 3 for medium vehicles. If you have a valid driving licence from your home country, many of these employers will help you convert it after arrival. When writing your CV, list every type of vehicle you have driven and how many years of experience you have.
These are the three highest-paying trades in Canada for foreign workers. Welders working on oil pipelines in Alberta earn CAD $35 to $58 per hour. Industrial electricians earn CAD $28 to $50 per hour. Plumbers and gas fitters are among the most sought-after tradespeople in the country. Use the salary calculator to see what CAD $45/hr converts to in your currency.
| Company | Trades Hiring | Pay/hr | Apply At |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black & McDonald ON, AB, BC |
Electrician, Plumber, Welder | $28–$48 | blackandmcdonald.com/careers |
| Ainsworth Inc. BC, AB, ON |
Electrician, HVAC Technician | $28–$46 | ainsworth.ca/careers |
| Houle Electric BC |
Electrician, Apprentice Electrician | $26–$45 | houle.ca/careers |
| ATCO Frontec AB, NWT |
Welder, Electrician, Plumber | $28–$50 | atco.com/careers |
| Fluor Canada AB |
Welder, Pipefitter, Electrician | $32–$55 | fluor.com/careers |
| Suncor Energy Services AB |
Welder, Pipefitter, Maintenance | $35–$58 | suncor.com/careers |
| Enbridge Gas ON, AB |
Plumber, Gas Fitter, Welder | $30–$50 | enbridge.com/careers |
| TC Energy AB, BC, SK |
Welder, Pipefitter, Electrician | $32–$55 | tcenergy.com/careers |
| SNC-Lavalin Canada National |
Welder, Electrician, Plumber | $28–$50 | snclavalin.com/careers |
| Strad Inc. AB, SK, BC |
Welder, Pipefitter, Mechanic | $30–$52 | stradinc.com/careers |
Welders and electricians who apply to companies in Alberta should specifically mention any experience with high-pressure pipelines, oil and gas equipment or industrial electrical installations. If you have a welding certification from your home country, attach a photo of it to your application.
Mixed Trades & General Companies
The companies in this final section are either multi-trade employers or large industrial operations that recruit across several skill areas at once. If your trade did not appear prominently in earlier sections, this is where to look. These are also the companies that receive the fewest applications from foreign workers — which makes them worth prioritising in your search.
| Company | Trades Hiring | Pay/hr | Apply At |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafarge Canada National |
Bricklayer, Mason, Driver | $24–$42 | lafarge.com/careers |
| Canam Group QC, ON, AB |
Welder, Ironworker, Carpenter | $26–$44 | canamgroup.com/careers |
| Dexterra Group National |
Driver, Cleaner, Maintenance | $18–$30 | dexterra.com/careers |
| Stelco Holdings ON |
Welder, Maintenance Technician | $25–$40 | stelco.com/careers |
| Aecon Nuclear ON |
Welder, Electrician, Bricklayer | $32–$55 | aecon.com/careers |
| Maple Leaf Foods ON, MB |
Driver, Cleaner, Maintenance | $18–$26 | careers.mapleleaffoods.com |
| EllisDon Industrial AB, ON, BC |
Carpenter, Bricklayer, Electrician | $28–$46 | ellisdon.com/careers |
How to Apply Without Paying an Agent
Every company on this list accepts direct applications through their official careers pages — the links are in each table. You do not need an agent, a middleman or any third party. If anyone tells you to pay money before applying or before your visa is processed, that person is running a scam. Legitimate Canadian employers with visa sponsorship cover 100 percent of the LMIA cost themselves.
Write a simple one-page CV. Put your name at the top, your trade, how many years you have been doing it, and your passport status. That is enough to get a response. Most applicants hear back within 5 to 10 business days. Apply to at least three companies from different sections — do not put all your applications in one place. If you want to compare what each salary converts to before you apply, use our free international salary calculator.