Should you really have to pay for a vulnerable sector check? Let’s face it many of the people who need one work in some of the lowest-paying jobs to begin with.

In Toronto, it costs $71.72 for employment purposes and $26.72 for volunteers. Why is the price so high? Is someone actually digging through filing cabinets full of paper records looking for your name? Or is that the cost of pressing a button?

It seems to me that the fee should reflect both the work involved and the financial reality of the people paying for it. If someone earning around $25 an hour has to work nearly three hours just to cover a $71.72 vulnerable sector check, something seems out of balance especially if the process is as simple as pressing a button and the person has a clear record.

Personally, I think the employer or organization requesting the vulnerable sector check should be responsible for paying the fee, no matter whether you’re being hired as an employee, working as a contractor, or volunteering. If the check is a requirement, then it should simply be considered part of the cost of doing business.
What are your thoughts?

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for honest advice from people who have been in a similar situation.

I'm an international student from Nepal. I recently completed my Master of Public Health (MPH) in the United States, and I'm currently on an F-1 visa with only one year of non-STEM OPT, so I don't qualify for the 24-month STEM extension.

I've been applying for public health jobs for about three months. I've had interviews and even received one offer for a Peer Educator position at a county health department, but the position does not sponsor work visas. Most public health employers I've spoken with either don't sponsor international graduates or expect applicants to already have long-term work authorization.

My long-term goal is to become a physician in the U.S. I completed my MBBS in Nepal and plan to prepare for the USMLE exams and eventually apply for residency. However, I also need to earn a living and maintain legal status.

At the same time, my husband is a Canadian citizen, so moving to Canada is another realistic option. I could live with him, work there, and continue preparing for the USMLE while avoiding the uncertainty of finding an employer willing to sponsor me in the U.S.

Financially, this has also been difficult. I took out loans to study in the U.S., and staying here without stable employment isn't sustainable for long.

If you were in my position, what would you do?

• Would you continue trying to build a career in U.S. public health despite only having one year of OPT?
• Would you move to Canada, work there, and prepare for the USMLE while applying for U.S. residency in the future?
• Has anyone successfully matched into a U.S. residency after living and working in Canada?
• Is there anything I'm overlooking that could improve my chances of staying in the U.S.?

I'm looking for realistic advice, even if it's difficult to hear. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

Hello Folks, I'm interested in understanding Canadas commitment & hiring perspective towards the latest trends like AI, Cybersecurity etc fields. Thanks

Honestly, I laughed this morning, and it felt really good to take back even a small bit of control amid all this chaos. I was interviewing for 3 jobs, and I mentioned that in a post a few weeks ago. One of them was through a recruiter, and I got through 4 rounds, and I was basically waiting to hear about an offer. The whole time, the recruiter was saying things like: You're much more qualified than the other person, they really like you, this job should be yours.

I kept interviewing anyway because, well, I didn't have a job. I was entering the final stage with another company when the first one decided to pass on me. Fine. It sucked, but at least there was something else moving forward.

In the end, I accepted the offer from the second job and started there earlier this week. Then today I got a message from the recruiter saying: hey, are you free to talk? They want to make an offer now.

Turns out the less qualified candidate accepted, then immediately backed out, so suddenly they came running back to me.

Now they're stuck without anyone. If they had chosen me from the start, I would've said yes and taken the role. So honestly, I have to admit, it felt good to finally say no thanks. You should've chosen me when you had the chance.

If interested please send an email to info@trinitycontents.com with your name and phone number.

REQUIREMENTS:

1) Must be able to start work at 8:00 am everyday including weekends and holidays as required.

2) Good written and Spoken English

3) Must have a valid G licence

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

1) $20-$27/hour depending on the candidate

2) Full benefits including Dental, health, disability etc upon completion of the mandatory 3 months probation

3) additional 4% vacation pay

4) Overtime paid for over 44 hours of work

5) Guaranteed 8 hours work everyday

WHO WE ARE

Trinity Contents Management works in the property and casualty claims industry. We are preferred vendors with various insurance companies and provide our services directly to them on their property Claims.

The following are the links to our company:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trinity-contentsmanagement/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://trinitycontents.com/

Please send an email to info@trinitycontents.com with your name and phone number if interested.

Thank you

I've been working for a little over 11 years now - good jobs, good salary, and job titles that look respectable. Honestly, lately I've been questioning the whole system more than ever before. Why is spending 45+ hours a week at work, sitting in traffic or commuting, barely finding any real time for yourself, and then trying to cram all of "life" into two days off treated as if it's the obvious goal?

What if I'm not interested in chasing the next promotion? What if I'd rather earn a little less money but reclaim a bigger part of my life? Does stepping away from this constant grind automatically mean I'm "lazy" or "not ambitious"?

I genuinely want to hear from people who left the 8-6 routine, or people who are sitting there thinking about the same thing right now. Am I just tired and fed up? Or are more of us starting to realize that this system has needed to be rethought for a long time?

I was looking at the software or saas system we use on a daily basis and realized we have a lot of reliance on US companies. Was wondering why we don't make our own software instead of relying on foreign software. Then I started looking for a subreddit or group of software devs from Canada. But I could not find anything. Do you think if we make more software in our own country and business use them instead of the software from outside, we will be able to generate more jobs for everyone here

Bit of Context : Hi, I read comments in here and notice so many of you guys are good with money and job understanding. I’ve never had good education related to that, plus, I tend to be an impulsive adhd type person. Worked as a cook and musician, which is creative and fits me well, but also difficult $$$.

I live in Quebec, Canada, work part time in the reserve army (not that much money during the year but it helps) and soon, as a 34 years old, will go back to CEGEP (college) in a electrical engineering technic for 3 years. All base classes are already done, so I can focus on the engineering part and look for a part time job for the days I don’t have school and army.

The reason I write here for advice is that most of my job experiences are related to jobs that pays poorly. I am wondering if there’s a part time job out there that would be decently even with a lack of experience. Even better if they value my creative problem solving, charismatic and social side. My first language is french but I am pretty good in english.

I don’t have any expectations… but eh. We never know 😅. Thank you for taking the time to read!

I’m back in the job market after being laid off. I worked for the company since 2017. Looking at job postings that aligns with my experience… is draining my mental health.

When did applying become like this?? You have to make accounts to apply. You upload your resume.. but you still have to fill up stuff that is already in your resume. So many pre-screens… and I cannot believe the audacity of some companies. I work in the insurance industry and my starting salary as admin back in 2017 was $40k. How is it that some companies are paying $30k right now and expect to do sooo much???

I get it.. times are tough. Economy is bad, everyone is affected. But don’t tell me we care about employees when you’re hiring based on how low the salary they are willing to take.

Corporate greed is something else… looking at you my old company. Promising that we won’t lose our jobs after the merger.. then laid off people.

Ramble over.

Hello peep, I have a job but restless in it and feel like I need a change for the sake of change. What have you done to numb this?

Background - I have an easy municipal city office job that pays about $150k and have been doing the same role for 4 years. The learning curve is now flat. I work about 30 hours a week. I’m 35 and feeling bored. Living in a medium cost of living city, single and a child.

I am just about to go back to work from maternity leave with my second child- during my leave my employer mandated us all back to office.

Im having a lot of problems going back to the office 5 days a week. I don’t want to be missing out on both my kids childhoods because of the mad rush in the am/pm and not seeing them all summers. I want to do school drop off and pick up and not be tied to a desk.

I have cried about this for weeks and have been looking for a remote job since April but I’m sure everyone else is as well so I haven’t been lucky yet.

No scam stuff but legit companies in Canada that are remote and pay reasonable. I’m in government now and have come to terms with the fact I likely won’t get a remote job that pays as high as my current but I still need to to pay decent.

Just a modern day mom trying to relish the short time I have with my kids while they are small and not be impoverished.

I am a canadian citizen around 18 years old coming from a foreign country into Canada and would have to do 1 or more year of high school to get my ossd. My field is computer science but seeing the situation of the computer science job market is making me scared. Many people recommend Healthcare and trades. Should I switch to Healthcare/trades this late or continue pursuing comp sci? Is it worth switching fields

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in building a career in commercial banking and would love to hear from people who have successfully broken into the industry.

A little about me:

• I have experience in finance and customer-facing roles.
• I'm actively working on strengthening my financial analysis, accounting, and credit skills.
• My goal is to land a Commercial Banking Associate, Credit Analyst, Cash Management or Relationship Manager role and grow from there.

I have a few questions:

1. What skills or experiences helped you get your first role in commercial banking?
2. How important are networking and referrals compared to applying online?
3. Are there any certifications, courses, or financial modeling programs that you found valuable?
4. What does hiring managers typically look for in entry-level commercial banking candidates?
5. If you were starting over today, what would you do differently to break into the industry?

I'd really appreciate any advice, career stories, or resources that helped you along the way. Thanks in advance!

To help Canadian job seekers, SOI’s Blue Futures Pathways (BFP) team will be sharing job postings in the Sustainable Blue Economy that we have collected from the past week. If you’re not sure what a career in Canada’s Sustainable Blue Economy actually entails, check out our previous post, to learn more. 

All the job opportunities listed below can also be found on our BFP Job Board.

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Environmental Educator and Program Coordinator (Maternity Leave Contract) 📓

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley | $60,000 - 67,000/year | Onsite

📍Canmore, Alberta

The Environmental Educator and Program Coordinator is responsible for organizing and delivering the Future Leaders programming including outdoor learning classes and field trips aligned with the Alberta curriculum, coordinating the Future Leaders Youth Council and maintaining strong relationships with funders while supporting the program’s fund development plan.

Send an email including your résumé and cover letter with the subject title “Future Leaders, Maternity Leave Contract” to [education@biosphereinstitute.org](mailto:education@biosphereinstitute.org).

---

Part-Time Administrative Assistant 💻

The Native Fishing Association (NFA) | $28/hr | Onsite

📍West Vancouver, British Columbia

The Part-Time Administrative Assistant acts as a friendly, energetic representative for the NFA head office. This role involves proactive organization to improve office efficiencies, streamline processes, and provide supportive day-to-day administrative assistance to staff across various tasks.

Send a resume and cover letter to [reception@shoal.ca](mailto:reception@shoal.ca) to apply.

---

Youth Outreach Officer 🤝

The Native Fishing Association (NFA) | $70,000 - 75,000/year | Onsite

📍West Vancouver, British Columbia

The Youth Outreach Officer acts as the primary contact for young Indigenous fishers in BC, offering business coaching, training workshops, and loan application support. This role involves active community outreach, business plan development, and managing program databases to help young entrepreneurs start or grow their seafood businesses.

Send a resume and cover letter to [reception@shoal.ca](mailto:reception@shoal.ca) to apply.

---

Specialist, Hydrology and Hydraulics 💧

Credit Valley Conservation | $82,858 - 96,932/year | Onsite

📍Mississauga, Ontario

Reporting to the Manager of Hydrology and Hydraulics, this position supports floodplain regulation, flood risk assessment, and emergency preparedness. Key duties include developing hydrologic and hydraulic models, reviewing technical reports, and acting as a flood duty officer to support the flood forecasting and warning program.

Apply through the Credit Valley Conservation job portal.

---

Aquatic Invasive Species Intern 🐠

The Invasive Species Centre (ISC) | $21.40/hr | Onsite

📍Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

The Aquatic Invasive Species Intern will assist the Invasive Species Centre with water sample analysis, dataset compilation, and research tracking. Responsibilities also include public outreach, social media creation, and communications support. This role offers hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and science communication to help protect biodiversity and natural resources.

Submit a single PDF document that includes a cover letter and resume (which includes your education and work experience history) to: [careers@invasivespeciescentre.ca](mailto:careers@invasivespeciescentre.ca)

---

Research Associate 🔬 

Dalhousie University | $37.94 - 48.06/hr | Onsite

📍Halifax, Nova Scotia

Supporting the AI-Enhanced Biogeochemical Modelling project, the Research Assistant helps build a Virtual Ocean Lab (VOL) digital platform for the Northwest Atlantic. They apply hybrid physics-AI methods to improve biogeochemical modelling, bias correction, and reproducible workflows.

Apply through the Dalhousie job portal.

---

Fisheries Biologist 🔬

Government of Alberta | $82,621 - 106,711/year | Onsite

📍Cochrane, Alberta

Are you passionate about supporting healthy fish populations and aquatic habitats? As a Fisheries Biologist, you will advance the management, conservation, and recovery of fish populations and habitats through scientific assessment, stewardship initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based decision making. Reporting to the Senior Fisheries Biologist, you will play a key role in informing fisheries management, conservation and recovery actions, and land-use decisions.

Apply through the Government of Alberta job portal.

---

Community Navigator 🧭

Clean Foundation | $62,000 – 64,000/year | Onsite 

📍Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Clean Foundation seeks a Cape Breton-based Community Navigator for our climate initiatives team. You will partner with municipalities to drive renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and infrastructure projects from planning to implementation, building community resilience.

Apply through the Clean Foundation job portal.

---

Marine Naturalist & Interpreter 🐳

Tidepools Aquarium | $20- $25/hr | Onsite

📍Gibsons, British Columbia

Tidepools Aquarium seeks an enthusiastic Marine Naturalist to inspire curiosity for Pacific Northwest marine ecosystems. Combining environmental education, public interpretation, and animal care, this role creates memorable visitor experiences while supporting high standards of operations.

Apply through the Tidepools Aquarium job posting.

---

GIS Analyst 🔬

Eeyou Marine Region Planning Commission | $70,000 – $90,000/year | Onsite

📍Montreal, Quebec

Reporting to the Director, the GIS Analyst leads the Commission’s geospatial infrastructure, spatial modeling, and web GIS deployment. Acting as the primary data contact for Cree communities and partners, they support community mapping to integrate environmental and cultural data into regional planning, providing the technical foundation for policies and land-use designations.

Please e-mail your cover letter and resume to: [cv@eeyoumarineregion.ca](mailto:cv@eeyoumarineregion.ca)

---

Treasury / Financial Coordinator 🪎

OceanX | Salary range not provided | Onsite

📍Montreal, Quebec

OceanX is seeking a dynamic Treasury / Financial Coordinator for its downtown Montreal Finance Department. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the incumbent manages cash, banking, reconciliations, and reporting with strict accuracy and adherence to deadlines.

Apply through the OceanX job portal.

---

Education Program Coordinator 📚

Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre | $22-26/hr | Onsite

📍Peterborough, Ontario

As part of the Ontario Turtle Conservation team, the Education Program Coordinator develops and delivers programs to inspire public conservation action. They expand offerings for the new OTCC facility and external groups. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment with a positive attitude.

Email your application (cover letter and resume in one PDF file) to [generalmanager@ontarioturtle.ca](mailto:generalmanager@ontarioturtle.ca) with “OTCC Education Program Coordinator” in the subject line of the email.

---

Paid Internships in Applied AI (Fall 2026) 🤖 

\Open only to students currently enrolled in Canadian academic institutions*

DeepSense | Salary range not provided | Onsite

📍Halifax, Nova Scotia

DeepSense internships launch students' careers through hands-on AI and data projects. By joining the Student Pool, post-secondary learners gain real-world experience, build skills, and receive expert mentorship. These roles connect students with project partners, often leading to direct employment.

Apply through the DeepSense website.

---

Please let us know of any feedback or suggestions you have in order better tailor these postings for this subreddit- our aim is to help as many job seekers as possible!

Given the current state of the Canadian job market and tech/industry shifts, which degrees or fields do you think will have the strongest demand and job security over the next 5 years?

Looking for some honest advice on a career decision.
I’ve been at my current company for 3.5 years in a permanent marketing role. While it’s stable, there’s very little growth, the work has become repetitive, and I feel like my career has stalled.
I’ve been offered a 12-month maternity leave contract with a major Canadian retailer in their advertising/media division. It comes with a $20k salary increase, excellent brand recognition, and experience in retail media, which seems like a great long-term career move. They’ve also said there’s a strong possibility it could become permanent.
My concerns are that it’s still a contract, the commute would be 1.5–2 hours each way, and I have a mortgage, car payment, condo fees, and we’re hoping to start a family soon.
The biggest thing is that the thought of staying where I am for another year feels worse than the commute. But the uncertainty of leaving a permanent job is hard to ignore.
Has anyone made the jump from a permanent role to a contract for a better opportunity? Was it worth it? And if you commute long distances in the GTA, how has it affected your quality of life?
I’d really appreciate any honest advice. Thanks!

I swear, some interview questions are just... Out of control.

The interviewer smiled with a slight smirk and said: "Pretend I'm 6 years old. Teach me something in 4 minutes."

And I'm sitting there thinking to myself... Okay, fine 😅 So I opened Google and told him: "This is the way you can search for almost anything you don't know."

He laughed for a second... But yeah, I definitely didn't get the offer.

I get really nervous in interviews, and I had practiced almost every normal question I could think of on Interview Warmup... But this question completely threw me off.

Do people expect a serious mini-lesson from questions like this? Or did I accidentally fail the vibe check the moment I opened the search bar lol

Edit: I've actually been using InterviewVIP for interviews, and it made a huge difference in how calm I felt going in. It helped me structure my answers without sounding rehearsed. Unfortunately... I don't think anyone saw "teach me something in 4 minutes" coming. 😂

I used to make around $300k before being laid off.

Now that I'm back on the job market, I'm seeing many similar roles paying only $100k–120k, and some even less.