Best Provinces in Canada for Foreign Workers: Wages, Demand, and Immigration Pathways (2025 Guide)

Learn which Canadian provinces are best for foreign workers in 2025. Includes wages, job demand, cost of living, immigration pathways, and opportunities for newcomers seeking employment in Canada.

Introduction

Canada’s labour market varies significantly from one province to another. For foreign workers, choosing the right province can greatly influence job opportunities, wages, cost of living, and chances of obtaining permanent residency. Some provinces rely heavily on international hiring due to population decline, labour shortages, or rapid economic growth—making them highly attractive for newcomers.

This 2025 guide provides a clear comparison of Canada’s best provinces for foreign workers, based on labour demand, salaries, affordability, and immigration pathways such as PNPs, AIP, RNIP, and employer-driven programs.

1. Ontario

Best for: General job opportunities, tech jobs, healthcare, retail, and construction
Population: ~15 million
Capital: Toronto
Wage range: Minimum wage $17.20/hour; average salaries vary widely

Ontario offers the highest number of job opportunities in Canada due to its large population and diverse economy. Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, and London are major employment hubs.

In-demand jobs (2025):

• Software developers
• Nurses and healthcare workers
• Food service supervisors
• Truck drivers
• Retail supervisors
• Construction workers

Immigration pathways:

• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
• Employer Job Offer Stream (in-demand occupations)
• Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities

Pros:

• Largest job market in Canada
• Strong opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers
• Major tech sector

Cons:

• High cost of living (especially Toronto & GTA)

2. British Columbia (BC)

Best for: Hospitality, tourism, tech, and healthcare jobs
Capital: Victoria
Major city: Vancouver
Minimum wage: $17.40/hour

British Columbia offers a strong balance between job opportunities and quality of life. Vancouver and Victoria attract newcomers globally, while smaller cities like Kelowna, Surrey, Kamloops, and Prince George have significant labour shortages.

In-demand jobs:

• Chefs, cooks, and hospitality staff
• Software engineers
• Caregivers & support workers
• Construction trades
• Retail supervisors

Immigration pathways:

• BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
• Skills Immigration
• Tech Stream (for IT professionals)

Pros:

• Mild climate
• Strong tech industry
• High demand across hospitality and trades

Cons:

• One of Canada’s most expensive provinces

3. Alberta

Best for: Skilled trades, oil & gas, transportation, and healthcare
Capital: Edmonton
Major city: Calgary
Minimum wage: $15.00/hour

Alberta has historically strong wages due to its energy sector. Although oil prices fluctuate, Alberta continues to recruit foreign workers across multiple industries.

In-demand jobs:

• Welders and skilled trades
• Heavy-duty mechanics
• Truck drivers
• Healthcare workers
• Construction labourers

Immigration pathways:

• Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
• Express Entry Stream
• Rural Renewal Stream (very friendly to foreign workers)

Pros:

• Higher wages than many provinces
• Lower taxes (no provincial sales tax)
• Strong demand for trades and trucking

Cons:

• Job market can fluctuate with energy sector

4. Manitoba

Best for: Manufacturing, trucking, agriculture, and retail supervisors
Capital: Winnipeg
Minimum wage: $15.30/hour

Manitoba is one of Canada’s most welcoming provinces for newcomers. Employers in rural Manitoba hire foreign workers regularly due to labour shortages and an aging workforce.

In-demand jobs:

• Truck drivers
• Farm workers
• Factory & manufacturing staff
• Retail supervisors
• Healthcare aides

Immigration pathways:

• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
• Employer Direct Recruitment
• Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream
• International Education Stream

Pros:

• Lower cost of living
• Strong employer-driven immigration programs
• Friendly communities

Cons:

• Harsh winters
• Fewer opportunities for high-tech jobs

5. Saskatchewan

Best for: Agriculture, trucking, construction, and healthcare
Capital: Regina
Major city: Saskatoon
Minimum wage: $14.00/hour (increasing annually)

Saskatchewan is ideal for foreign workers with backgrounds in agriculture, trucking, hospitality, and trades. The province is workforce-driven and consistently recruits internationally.

In-demand jobs:

• Food service supervisors
• Truck drivers
• Farm labourers
• Welders
• Restaurant and hotel staff

Immigration pathways:

• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
• Occupations In-Demand
• Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot

Pros:

• Fast immigration processing
• Affordability
• High demand in semi-skilled roles

Cons:

• Smaller job market than larger provinces

6. New Brunswick

Best for: AIP jobs, healthcare, retail, and food service
Capital: Fredericton
Minimum wage: $15.30/hour

New Brunswick is one of the easiest provinces for foreign workers to settle due to its reliance on immigration to support population growth.

In-demand jobs:

• Cooks & food service supervisors
• Healthcare workers
• Long-haul truck drivers
• Cleaners
• Retail staff

Immigration pathways:

• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
• NB PNP Skilled Worker Stream
• Employer-driven LMIA programs

Pros:

• Easier to secure job offers
• Affordable housing
• Smaller, quiet communities

Cons:

• Lower wages compared to Ontario/BC

7. Nova Scotia

Best for: Hospitality, healthcare, truck driving, and tourism
Capital: Halifax
Minimum wage: $15.20/hour

Nova Scotia has significant labour shortages across hospitality, food service, trucking, and healthcare. Many employers hire internationally under the Atlantic Immigration Program.

In-demand jobs:

• Food service supervisors
• Cleaners & housekeepers
• Nurses & healthcare aides
• Truck drivers
• Retail supervisors

Immigration pathways:

• Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Pros:

• High quality of life
• Easier immigration pathways
• Strong demand for foreign workers

Cons:

• Wages slightly lower than in Western Canada

8. Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Best for: Food service, hospitality, trucking, agriculture, and retail
Capital: Charlottetown
Minimum wage: $15.40/hour

PEI has one of the most active employer-driven PNP systems in the country and consistently hires large numbers of foreign workers.

In-demand jobs:

• Food service supervisors
• Truck drivers
• Hotel staff
• Retail supervisors
• Fish processing workers

Immigration pathways:

• PEI Provincial Nominee Program
• Atlantic Immigration Program

Pros:

• Easy to secure employer sponsorship
• Friendly communities
• Strong PNP support

Cons:

• Small province with limited major industries

9. Newfoundland & Labrador

Best for: Skilled trades, healthcare, construction, and seafood processing
Capital: St. John’s
Minimum wage: $15.20/hour

Newfoundland’s labour shortage is among the largest in Atlantic Canada, making the province highly receptive to foreign workers.

In-demand jobs:

• Nurses
• Construction trades
• Seafood processing staff
• Retail supervisors
• Truck drivers

Immigration pathways:

• NL Provincial Nominee Program
• Atlantic Immigration Program

Pros:

• Very friendly to newcomers
• Lower cost of living
• High employer demand

Cons:

• Weather challenges
• Smaller urban centers

Which Province Is Best Overall? (2025 Summary)

Conclusion

Each Canadian province offers unique advantages for foreign workers, from strong wages to easier immigration pathways. Ontario and BC remain top choices for high-skilled roles, while Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Atlantic provinces offer some of the easiest pathways to secure job offers and permanent residency.

The best province ultimately depends on your:

• occupation
• experience level
• career goals
• lifestyle preferences
• willingness to live in smaller communities

By understanding each province’s opportunities and immigration programs, foreign workers can make informed decisions and improve their chances of long-term success in Canada.