By Taylor Villeneuve, Build ON Employment Consultant
When moving to Canada, there is a large variety of communities one can choose to settle in. However, there is more to Canada than just the 3 big urban areas– Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. While these big cities can feel appealing, what comes with these highly populated areas are increased housing prices, increased job competition, and simple tasks such as finding parking or commuting to work – can become strenuous.
Statistics Canada has provided an interactive map across Canada. This map, “
Rural Data Viewer”, shows the variety of employment opportunities available among rural areas. However, because of people’s desire to settle in urban areas, rural areas are actually experiencing an increased need for employees – especially in skilled trades, construction, and engineering. With this need identified, the
Government of Canada has created a variety of initiatives that help fund training and certifications for the skilled trades.
Women in Skilled Trades Initiative,
Innovation in Apprenticeship Stream, Canada Training Credit, and
Youth Employment and Skills Strategy are just a handful of initiatives designed to help rural citizens fund training and find employment.
Statistics Canada has also identified that there has been a noticeable decrease in immigration to rural areas since 2021. However, there are so many benefits to living and working in rural areas in Canada – including available career opportunities.
The Government of Ontario breaks down what specific industries are in demand based on region. Rural areas such as Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Dryden, Kenora, and Fort Frances are in a large demand for
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers, and
Transport Truck Drivers. In Cornwall, Brockville, Belleville and Petawawa, there is a large need for
Material handlers, and
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations.
In
Northern Ontario, there is a huge need for electricians, carpenters, plumbers, welders, heavy equipment operators, painters, technicians, machinists, ironworkers, drillers and more. We can also see in Northern Ontario a large rise in mining, forestry, construction, transportation, and agriculture. In rural
South Eastern Ontario, there is a large demand for carpenters, electricians, roofing specialists, mechanics, HVAC technicians, painters, and landscape technicians.
Use Job bank, as well as
Skilled Trades Ontario to further explore a variety of skilled trades in rural areas across Ontario and Canada.
Not only is the wide variety of employment opportunities a draw for newcomers, but also the cost of living is more affordable.
Housing in smaller towns is often more affordable than in big cities like Toronto or Vancouver, making it easier for families to rent or buy homes. However, research is important, as some towns, like Belleville, can have higher rental costs than cities like Ottawa. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and childcare are usually cheaper in rural areas, thus leading to an overall lower cost of living.
Small towns generally have lower crime rates, less traffic, and a stronger sense of community, offering a safer and more relaxed lifestyle. Rural cities are more likely to be near parks and lakes, providing easy access to outdoor activities. While they may lack some big-city amenities, small towns often provide a better balance of affordability, safety, and family-friendliness.
In summary, small towns and rural areas in Canada offer affordable housing, lower living costs, and numerous job opportunities, particularly in skilled trades. With government support and a better quality of life, they are a great newcomer friendly option!