Teaching Jobs in Canada

Provincial and territorial governments operate their own school systems, and are responsible for setting out the regulations for teaching jobs in Canada. The rules are broadly similar across the country, but with some local differences.

Canadian education: an overview

Kindergarten education is available for children in all provinces around the age of four or five.

Then, students complete their primary and secondary education, in grades one to 12. Students move from primary to secondary school between grades six and eight, depending on the provincial arrangements. The schooling process from kindergarten to grade 12 is often referred to as ‘K-12’ or ‘K to 12’.

The school year begins in late August, and continues until late June. English-language and French-language schools are provided across the country.

While curricula is set by provincial governments, local School Boards have responsibility for things like administration, human resources, and student enrolment. The Boards are run by trustees elected by the public.

At the end of grade 12, students receive a high school diploma. Universities, colleges, and institutes offer post-secondary education to those who wish to continue their studies.

Teaching jobs in Canada

A bachelor’s degree in Education and a provincial certificate is typically required for teaching jobs in Canada. Obtaining certification can be a slow process, so it’s best to start before your arrival in Canada, if possible.

Other factors are considered to assess eligibility for teaching jobs in Canada. For instance, the applicant may need:

• Recent teaching experience.
• Proficiency in English or French.
• Familiarity with the culture and curriculum of the Canadian education system.
• Fitness to teach, including character reference and successful criminal record checks.

Supervised student teaching may also be required. For secondary teaching jobs in Canada, it is recommended to complete a major in one teachable subject, and a minor in another teachable subject. These include languages, sciences, social studies, and business.

To learn about the requirements in each province and territory, visit these links:

Alberta • British Columbia • Manitoba • Newfoundland & Labrador • Ontario
New Brunswick • Nova Scotia • Prince Edward Island • Quebec • Saskatchewan

People also ask…

How much does a teacher make a year in Canada?

Given the sheer geographical size of Canada as a country and the political power that each province holds, it is somewhat misleading to try and pick an average salary for teaching jobs across Canada. That said, recent research indicates that of major Canadian cities, Winnipeg is the city with the highest teacher’s salary at approximately $102,000 per year (usually for teaching jobs with around 10 years’ experience), while Montreal is the lowest with qualified candidates with around 10 years’ experience receiving $82,500 per year to teach in this part of Canada in 2019. Entry-level positions offer more modest compensation.

How can I become a teacher in Canada?

Again, like many aspects of life in Canada, the qualifications needed to become a teacher in Canada depend on the province that you intend to teach in. So, for instance, the requirements in Ontario are going to be slightly different than if you wish to teach in Nova Scotia. That said, all teaching jobs in Canada require prospective applicants to have two of the following three requirements as standard:

• A bachelor’s degree in education.
• A provincial teacher’s certificate.
• A bachelor’s of education in French.

Read more: Explore our guide on teaching English in Canada.

Is teaching in demand in Canada?

You may be detecting a trend here but this again is a very province-specific question. Nonetheless, a recent report from Department of Employment and Social Development Canada has found that career opportunities for teaching posts in Canada range from good to limited depending on the province that you wish to teach in.

For example, if you wish to teach in Quebec, B.C.,. or the Northwest Territories then you have a good chance of finding work, this is less likely if Ontario is your chosen destination. However, teaching in Canada is a great career and worth the effort if it is what you want to do.

Resources for finding jobs in Canada

Moving2Canada offers a number of resources for finding jobs in Canada.

Learn how to write the perfect cover letter, and prepare for a job interview. You can also check the Moving2Canada jobs board for listings.

We also conglomerated the most in-demand jobs in Canada.

If you’re interested in moving to Canada but not sure which program you may be eligible for, check your eligibility for more than 20 different Canadian immigration programs by taking Moving2Canada’s free Canada Immigration Quiz.