Work and Legal Basics

Bay Street · Experience date Apr 3, 2026

Professional networking in Toronto: Toronto Board of Trade (TBOT) events, Rotary Club of Toronto, industry-specific meetups on Eventbrite, LinkedIn Local Toronto (informal networking events). Tech sector: MaRS Discovery District events, Communitech Toronto chapter, Product Hunt meetups. Finance: CFA Society Toronto, Women in Capital Markets, various bank-specific alumni groups. Newcomer-specific: Hire Immigrants Ottawa/Toronto events, COSTI career services (free for newcomers), Skills for Change. Professional associations: most regulated professions have active networking events through their Ontario college/association. Building a Toronto professional network takes time — most expats see results after 3–6 months of consistent attendance at industry events.

Midtown · Experience date Dec 5, 2025

If hired under an LMIA-based work permit (Temporary Foreign Worker Program): your employer has specific legal obligations. Your employer must: provide the job described in your work permit, pay the advertised wage (cannot underpay), provide safe working conditions, not confiscate your passport or documents (illegal), not charge recruitment fees to the worker (illegal in Canada). TFWP inspections: ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) conducts audits of employers. If your employer is not meeting obligations: file a complaint with ESDC (1-800-367-5693) — your complaint can be anonymous. Your work permit is tied to the employer who sponsored it — changing employers requires a new work permit in most cases. Open work permits (IEC, PGWP): you can work for any employer and are protected by all Ontario employment standards.

North York · Experience date Jan 25, 2026

Employment law in Canada: split between federal (banking, telecoms, airlines — regulated by Canada Labour Code) and provincial (most other industries — regulated by Ontario Employment Standards Act). Key Ontario ESA rights: minimum wage ($17.20/hour in 2024), 2 weeks vacation after 1 year (3 weeks after 5 years), paid sick days (3 per year, plus Emergency Leave), public holidays (9 federal + 8 Ontario provincial = 9–10 paid holidays/year), termination notice (1 week/year of service up to 8 weeks), no mandatory overtime but time-and-a-half for hours over 44/week. Employment contracts: should be reviewed carefully — many Ontario employers include non-compete clauses that are now largely unenforceable under 2021 law changes.

North York · Experience date Apr 8, 2026

Main Canadian work permits: LMIA-based work permit (employer gets a Labour Market Impact Assessment showing no Canadian available for the role — most common for skilled foreign workers), LMIA-exempt work permit (under free trade agreements — IEC for UK/Australian/Irish/French youth, CUSMA/USMCA for US/Mexican professionals, intra-company transfers), Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP — for international students who graduated from a Canadian institution). Apply at ircc.canada.ca. Processing time: 2–8 weeks for LMIA-exempt, 8–24 weeks for LMIA-based. Entry: must have work permit approved before arriving (or port-of-entry permit for some IEC holders). International students: PGWP is the most important post-graduation document — apply before your study permit expires.

Scarborough · Experience date Dec 3, 2025

OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program) offers provincial nomination for PR — gives 600 additional CRS points, making an ITA near-certain. Main OINP streams: Human Capital Priorities Stream (Ontario draws from the Express Entry pool for specific occupations), Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream (requires a genuine Ontario employer offer), International Student Stream (for graduates from Ontario universities/colleges with valid PGWP), In-Demand Skills Stream (specific skilled trades and health sector roles). Nominated by Ontario: receive a provincial nomination certificate, then apply to IRCC for PR. OINP timing: Ontario opens draws periodically — some streams have no intake caps and are available year-round. Check Ontario.ca/OINP for current active streams and requirements.

Scarborough · Experience date Nov 18, 2025

When leaving Canada permanently: you become a 'deemed non-resident' and must file a departure return with CRA. Departure return: reports all income up to your departure date. Deemed disposition: as if you sold all your assets on departure day — potential capital gains tax. Key: notify CRA of your departure by updating your marital status and address. Canadian pension and investment accounts: may have ongoing tax implications even after leaving — consult a cross-border tax accountant. Non-resident withholding tax (NRT): 25% on Canadian-source income (rent, dividends) while non-resident — can be reduced by tax treaty. For expats with temporary work in Toronto: keep records of all days in Canada and departure date for accurate tax filings.

North York · Experience date Jan 21, 2026

CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) administers Canadian federal taxes. Key tasks for expats: file T1 personal tax return annually by April 30 (T1 deadline). Register for a CRA My Account (using your SIN) to access tax assessments, benefit statements, and communication history. T4 slip: received from your employer by end of February showing annual income and tax deducted at source. Common benefits filed via tax return: Canada Child Benefit (CCB), GST/HST credit, Ontario Trillium Benefit. Tax software: Wealthsimple Tax (free for simple returns), TurboTax Canada, H&R Block. CRA NETFILE: submit returns electronically — refunds processed within 2 weeks. Non-resident tax: first-year partial residence has specific rules — consult an accountant.