Finding stable work is one of the most important steps toward building a new life in Canada. The good news is that hundreds of employers across the country actively recruit refugees and newcomers, and many have formal programs designed to make the hiring process more accessible for you. This guide names the top 20 employers worth targeting, the bridging programs that fast-track your introduction to them, and the practical steps that put your application ahead of the pile.
Quick takeaways
- Several large Canadian employers (including Maple Leaf Foods, Tim Hortons, Loblaw, and Amazon Canada) have on-record commitments to hiring refugees and newcomers.
- Bridging programs run by settlement agencies can connect you directly with pre-screened employers before a job is even posted publicly.
- Entry-level roles in food processing, retail, logistics, and hospitality are the fastest pathways to a first paycheque while you build Canadian experience.
- RefugeeEmployment.ca is a Canada-focused job board built specifically for refugees and newcomers, where you can browse open positions and create a free candidate profile.
Why Some Employers Specifically Hire Refugees
Most employers in Canada do not distinguish between refugees and other newcomers when hiring. What matters is that you are legally authorized to work. However, a growing number of large companies have taken deliberate steps to reach refugee talent because of labour shortages, government incentive programs, and corporate diversity commitments.
Work Authorization for Refugees in Canada
If you hold a Protected Person status, a Convention Refugee designation, or a valid work permit (including an open work permit issued through an immigration stream), you are legally allowed to work in Canada. Refugee claimants can also apply for a work permit while their claim is being processed. Bring documentation of your status to every interview so there is no ambiguity for the hiring manager.
Government Wage Subsidies for Employers
The federal government supports provincial initiatives that reimburse employers for a portion of wages when they hire from equity-deserving groups, which often includes refugees. When you apply to employers participating in these programs, your candidacy may come at a lower direct cost to them. That works in your favour, particularly at companies with dedicated diversity and inclusion hiring goals.
Corporate Diversity and ESG Commitments
Many publicly listed companies in Canada publish annual sustainability reports that include targets for hiring underrepresented groups. Employers such as Loblaw Companies and Maple Leaf Foods have cited newcomer and refugee hiring in their ESG disclosures. Understanding this context can help you frame your application as a mutual benefit, not just a request for an opportunity.
The 20 Best Employers for Refugees in Canada
The list below focuses on employers with formal newcomer or refugee hiring programs, partnerships with settlement agencies, or a strong track record of hiring in entry-level roles accessible without Canadian-specific credentials.
Food Processing and Manufacturing
Maple Leaf Foods operates facilities across Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta and has partnered with refugee-serving organizations to recruit directly from newcomer communities. Roles include production worker, line operator, and sanitation technician. Most positions require no prior food industry experience.
Cargill runs several protein processing plants in Alberta and Ontario. The company has worked with local settlement agencies in High River, Alberta, and in Guelph, Ontario, to provide job fairs and on-site orientation for newcomers. Look for general labour and quality control roles.
Olymel is one of Quebec's largest pork and poultry processors. French or basic English is sufficient for most plant floor positions. The company actively recruits through newcomer employment programs across Quebec.
Maple Lodge Farms (Brampton and Breslau, Ontario) hires production workers, forklift operators, and sanitation staff. Shift work is common, and the company has an internal ESL support program to help newcomers settle into the workplace.
Retail and Grocery
Loblaw Companies (which includes Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, and Fortinos) employs hundreds of thousands of Canadians. Store-level roles (cashier, stock associate, bakery clerk) are open to newcomers with basic English or French. Loblaw has stated workforce diversity goals and regularly partners with settlement organizations in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.
Sobeys / Empire Company operates FreshCo, IGA, Safeway, and Foodland banners. Store-level hiring is decentralized, so applying directly at a location near you is often the fastest route to an interview.
Walmart Canada has hundreds of distribution centre and store positions available at any time. The company has committed to equity-deserving hiring through several national initiatives. Entry roles include cart attendant, stocker, and cash office associate.
Costco Wholesale Canada is known for above-average starting wages and benefits. Warehouse associate roles require physical stamina but minimal prior experience. Many newcomers report success applying directly through the Costco careers portal.
Canadian Tire and its associated banners (Sport Chek and Mark's) hire seasonal and permanent retail associates across Canada. Managers at individual stores have significant hiring autonomy, so in-person applications can be effective.
Quick Service Restaurants and Hospitality
Tim Hortons franchises employ a large share of Canada's newcomer workforce. Most individual restaurants are independently owned, so hiring decisions are made at the franchise level. Approaching a nearby location directly remains one of the most reliable ways to land a first interview.
McDonald's Canada operates similarly through franchises. The company has published commitments to inclusive hiring. Crew member and kitchen roles are accessible entry points with on-the-job training provided.
Compass Group Canada provides food service to hospitals, universities, and corporate campuses. Dietary aide, food service worker, and catering assistant roles are regularly available and often accessible without a food handler certification, though you may be asked to obtain one shortly after starting.
Aramark Canada and Sodexo Canada operate in the same institutional food service segment. Both companies hire across provinces in custodial, food preparation, and hospitality assistant roles, often with flexible shift options.
Logistics and Fulfillment
Amazon Canada fulfillment centres (located in the Greater Toronto Area, Vancouver, Calgary, and other cities) hire warehouse associates, stowers, pickers, and packers on a large scale. Amazon uses a direct online application process and conducts virtual hiring events regularly. Physical demands are significant, but English requirements for floor-level roles are minimal.
FedEx Canada and Purolator hire package handlers, sorters, and delivery support staff. Shift work and part-time roles are common entry points, and both companies offer internal advancement pathways.
Security and Building Services
Allied Universal / Securitas Canada hire security guards across all provinces. Many provinces require a security guard licence, which involves a short training course. Some employers help cover the cost. This is a common first-employment pathway for refugees who held law enforcement or military roles in their home country.
Cintas Corporation Canada provides uniform and facility services. Route driver, service representative, and plant operator roles are available and accessible to newcomers with a valid G or Class 5 licence.
IKEA Canada rounds out this list. The company has a stated commitment to refugee hiring and has partnered with settlement organizations in several provinces. Store co-worker, warehouse, and assembly roles are common entry points with structured onboarding.
Bridging Programs That Connect You Directly to Employers
Bridging programs are a critical shortcut in your job search. They pre-screen participating employers, provide coaching for your resume and interview, and sometimes introduce you to hiring managers before a role is posted publicly. Using a bridging program alongside your direct applications gives you two parallel pipelines.
TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (Toronto)
The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council pairs internationally trained professionals with employed mentors in their field. The program is not exclusive to refugees, but refugee claimants and protected persons qualify. It is most useful if you have professional experience you want to transfer into a comparable Canadian role.
ACCES Employment (Ontario)
ACCES runs job search workshops, sector-specific bridging programs (finance, engineering, IT, supply chain), and employer connection events in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, and Durham Region. Many programs are virtual, extending access beyond the GTA.
Jumpstart Refugee Talent (National)
Jumpstart connects skilled refugees with Canadian employers specifically looking to hire them. The program focuses on candidates with prior professional or technical experience and works with mid-size and large employers across sectors. If you held a skilled trade, technical, or professional role before arriving in Canada, Jumpstart is worth contacting early.
ISSofBC and ERIEC (BC and Alberta)
The Immigrant Services Society of BC runs employment services including resume help, mock interviews, and direct employer introductions. In Alberta, the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) offers mentoring and employer engagement events, with strong relationships with employers in oil and gas support services, health care, and manufacturing.
Local Settlement Agencies
Settlement agencies funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) exist in every province and most mid-size cities. These agencies often have employment counsellors on staff who can help you prepare application materials, practice for interviews, and identify local employers who have hired refugees successfully. Finding your nearest settlement agency through the IRCC website is one of the highest-value first steps you can take.
How to Apply: Practical Steps
Prepare Your Canadian-Format Resume
Canadian resumes typically do not include a photo, date of birth, marital status, or nationality. Keep it to one page if you have fewer than ten years of experience. Use clear, concrete bullet points under each role: what you did, the scale at which you did it, and any outcome you can describe. Vague phrases like "responsible for" are less effective than action verbs like "processed," "trained," or "maintained."
Gather Your Supporting Documents
Before you apply, have the following ready: your Social Insurance Number (SIN), proof of your right to work in Canada (status document or work permit), and any certifications you hold (first aid, forklift, food handling, security guard licence). If your foreign credentials have been assessed by World Education Services (WES) or another recognized body, include that equivalency report in your application package.
Use RefugeeEmployment.ca as Your Starting Point
RefugeeEmployment.ca is a job board built specifically for refugees and newcomers in Canada. You can browse current openings filtered by province and role type, and create a free candidate profile so that employers looking to hire refugees can find you directly. Visit the RefugeeEmployment.ca job seekers page to browse what is available right now.
Follow Up After Applying
For entry-level retail, food service, and logistics roles, a polite follow-up call or in-person visit two to three days after submitting an online application can meaningfully increase your chances. Many hiring managers at franchise-level employers make decisions quickly and appreciate candidates who take initiative.
FAQ
Q: Do I need Canadian work experience to get hired?
No. Many of the employers listed above (including food processing plants, Amazon fulfillment centres, and Tim Hortons franchises) hire applicants with no prior Canadian work experience. What matters most is that you are legally authorized to work, physically able to perform the role, and available for the hours the employer needs.
Q: Can I work in Canada while my refugee claim is being processed?
Yes, in most cases. Refugee claimants can apply for a work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Once your work permit is issued, you can begin working for any employer in Canada. Check your specific situation with a settlement agency or immigration legal aid clinic before applying to jobs, so you have your documentation in order.
Q: What is the fastest way to get a first job in Canada?
For most refugees, entry-level roles in food processing, retail grocery, quick service restaurants, or fulfillment warehouses are the fastest paths to first employment. These sectors hire frequently, require minimal prior Canadian experience, and often provide on-the-job training. Contact a local settlement agency employment counsellor and register on the RefugeeEmployment.ca job seekers page in parallel.
Q: What is a bridging program and how do I find one?
A bridging program is a structured service offered by a settlement agency, employment council, or not-for-profit that helps newcomers and refugees connect with employers. Programs typically include resume coaching, mock interviews, and direct introductions to hiring managers. Find one near you by contacting your nearest IRCC-funded settlement agency or by searching the federal government's settlement service provider directory.
Q: Should I mention that I am a refugee on my application?
You are not required to disclose your immigration status on a general job application. Some bridging programs (like Jumpstart Refugee Talent) work specifically with employers who are actively seeking to hire refugees, so context can help in those settings. For applications to large employers outside of bridging programs, focus on your skills, availability, and authorization to work.
Q: Are entry-level wages enough to cover living costs?
Entry-level wages vary by province and sector. Food processing and fulfillment warehouse roles often pay slightly above provincial minimum wage and may include benefits after a probationary period. Many newcomers start with one of these roles while building their language skills and Canadian credentials, then transition to better-paying positions over time. Settlement agencies can help you understand living costs in your city and identify whether additional income support programs are available during your transition.
Start Your Job Search Today
Finding work as a refugee in Canada takes preparation, persistence, and the right connections. The employers and programs on this list give you a concrete place to start. Bookmark the ones most relevant to your city and sector, gather your documents, and reach out to a local settlement agency this week.
Ready to take the next step? Visit RefugeeEmployment.ca at https://refugeeemployment.ca/job-seekers to browse current openings and create a candidate profile.