Canada's warehousing and fulfillment sector is one of the strongest areas for entry-level employment, and many major employers are actively hiring refugees and newcomers. If you are looking for stable, full-time work that does not require a Canadian degree or advanced language skills, warehouse jobs offer a practical and reliable path forward.
Quick Takeaways
- Major employers like Amazon Canada, Walmart, and Canadian Tire Distribution Centres hire refugees and newcomers directly
- Staffing agencies such as Drake International and Express Employment can place you quickly, often within days of registration
- Wages typically range from $17 to $22 per hour depending on employer and shift type
- Basic conversational English or French is usually sufficient for most warehouse roles
- No Canadian work experience is required to apply
Why Warehouse Work Is a Strong Entry Point for Refugees in Canada
Stable, Year-Round Demand
Warehousing and logistics employment exists in virtually every province. Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec all have significant distribution networks. Employers in this sector hire year-round because online retail and supply chains operate continuously. Hiring does peak before the holiday season, but positions are available throughout the year and competition is lower outside those windows.
Skills From Your Home Country Transfer Directly
Most warehouse positions require no Canadian degree or credentials. What matters is your ability to lift items, follow safety procedures, work as part of a team, and maintain a reliable schedule. If you worked in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, or any physical labour role before coming to Canada, those skills are directly relevant. Many refugees find that their prior experience and strong work ethic make them competitive candidates from the first interview.
Flexible Schedules That Work Around Settlement
Warehouse jobs frequently offer day, afternoon, and overnight shift options. This flexibility matters when you are also attending language classes, managing settlement appointments, or dealing with childcare responsibilities. Some employers offer four-day compressed work weeks, giving you weekday availability for settlement services and other commitments while still working full hours.
Major Employers Hiring Refugees in Canadian Warehouses
Amazon Canada Fulfillment Centers
Amazon operates fulfillment centres in Brampton, Mississauga, Ottawa, Calgary, Surrey, and several other locations across Canada. They hire fulfillment associates, sortation associates, and delivery station workers on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
Amazon Canada's onboarding process is structured and largely visual. You are guided by scanning systems and display prompts that show you what to pick, pack, or sort at each step. This setup makes it accessible for newcomers who are still building English skills. Starting wages typically range from $19 to $22 per hour depending on location, with overnight and weekend premiums available. Health and dental benefits are offered after a qualifying period.
You can apply directly at hiring.amazon.ca. The application is fully online, usually includes a brief virtual interview, and the hiring process can move quickly when positions are available at a centre near you.
Walmart Distribution Centres
Walmart operates regional distribution centres across Canada, with major facilities in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec. These centres supply both Walmart stores and the growing Walmart.ca online retail operation. Roles include order selectors, receiving associates, and forklift operators. Order selector positions are typically entry-level and well-suited to newcomers with no prior Canadian work experience.
Wages at Walmart distribution centres are competitive, generally in the $18 to $21 per hour range. As a large and stable employer, Walmart also offers clear paths to advancement. Many workers move into team lead or supervisory roles within one to two years of starting.
Search for current openings on Walmart Canada's careers site and filter by Supply Chain or Distribution in the job category to find distribution centre roles in your region.
Canadian Tire Distribution Centre in Bolton, Ontario
The Canadian Tire Distribution Centre in Bolton, Ontario is one of the largest distribution facilities in Canada, supplying Canadian Tire stores nationwide on a 24-hour schedule. This facility has a history of employing newcomers and refugees in roles including picking, packing, receiving, and warehouse equipment operation. Forklift certification training is sometimes offered on-site for workers who demonstrate reliability and show interest in advancing into higher-skilled roles.
Bolton is located northwest of Toronto and is accessible from Brampton, Vaughan, and Caledon. Check the Canadian Tire careers portal at careers.canadiantire.ca and filter by Distribution or the Bolton location to find current openings.
Staffing Agencies That Can Place You Quickly
If you want to get into warehouse work quickly without navigating large corporate hiring portals on your own, staffing agencies are often the fastest route. They maintain standing relationships with distribution centres and can match you to openings as soon as they arise.
Drake International
Drake International is one of Canada's largest staffing agencies, with offices in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and other cities. They regularly place workers in warehouse, logistics, and manufacturing roles and have experience working with newcomers and refugees.
If you register with Drake and are available to start quickly, placement may happen within a week of your registration appointment. Bring your work permit or Protected Persons documentation when you visit. They will walk you through the registration process, which includes a brief skills assessment and a review of your availability and any prior experience.
Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals operates franchise locations across Canada and specializes in industrial placements, including warehouse and distribution work. They commonly offer temporary-to-permanent arrangements, where you start as a temporary worker through the agency and transition to direct employment with the employer after a qualifying period - often 90 to 500 hours depending on the employer's arrangement.
Visit expressemployment.ca to find your nearest office and register as a job seeker. Bring your identification documents and any relevant certifications you hold, such as a forklift operator licence, when you go in.
Wages, Shifts, and What the Work Actually Looks Like
Pay Rates Across Canada
Entry-level warehouse wages generally range from $17 to $22 per hour. Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta tend to offer higher rates, driven partly by higher provincial minimum wages and cost of living. Overtime pay, typically 1.5 times your regular rate, applies after daily or weekly hour thresholds depending on the province. Some facilities schedule regular overtime during peak periods, which can meaningfully increase your weekly earnings without requiring a second job.
Shift Structures
Most distribution centres run 24-hour operations across three shifts:
- Day shift: approximately 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM or 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
- Afternoon shift: approximately 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM
- Overnight shift: approximately 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Overnight and weekend shifts often pay a premium of $0.50 to $2.00 per hour above the base rate. Some facilities also offer 10 or 12-hour compressed shifts on a four-day schedule, which some workers prefer for the longer stretches of days off.
Physical Expectations
Warehouse work is physically demanding. Expect to stand or walk for most of your shift, lift packages up to 50 pounds regularly, and work in temperature-controlled environments that can be cool in receiving and storage areas. Steel-toed safety boots are required at most facilities. Some settlement agencies and newcomer employment programs can assist with the cost of safety footwear if that is a barrier before your first paycheque.
English Requirements: What Level Do You Actually Need?
English requirements for warehouse work are lower than for most office or customer-facing roles. For the majority of entry-level positions, you need enough English to understand basic safety instructions and emergency procedures, read simple labels and bin numbers, and communicate basic needs with your supervisor and coworkers on shift.
The scanning and fulfillment systems used at large facilities like Amazon Canada and the Canadian Tire DC are built with visual interfaces and clear prompts, which reduces how much reading or writing the actual work requires. If your English is still developing, warehouse work can also support your language growth. You are surrounded by the language in a practical, real-world context every day, and many distribution centres have diverse workforces where multiple languages are spoken among coworkers.
If you want additional support, ask your settlement agency about workplace language training programs that can run alongside your employment. Many are offered at low or no cost to newcomers.
How to Apply for Warehouse Jobs as a Refugee in Canada
Documents You Will Need
Have these ready before you apply:
- Your work authorization document (Protected Persons letter, refugee claimant work permit, or open work permit)
- Government-issued photo ID such as a Refugee Travel Document, passport, or provincial photo ID
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) for payroll purposes
- References from previous employment, including from work you did in your home country
- Any relevant certifications, such as a forklift operator licence, if you hold one
Your Application Steps
- Register with one or two staffing agencies - Drake International and Express Employment are strong starting points for fast warehouse placement in most major Canadian cities
- Apply directly to Amazon Canada, Walmart, and Canadian Tire careers sites for permanent positions in your area
- Use RefugeeEmployment.ca to browse additional warehouse and industrial job postings tailored specifically to refugees seeking work in Canada
- Visit the RefugeeEmployment.ca job seekers page to create a candidate profile that connects you with employers who are actively looking to hire refugees
Local settlement organizations such as ACCES Employment, COSTI, and WoodGreen Community Services in Ontario - and comparable agencies in other provinces - can also help with resume preparation, interview practice, and navigation of the application process at no cost to you.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a work permit to apply for warehouse jobs in Canada?
Yes. You need legal authorization to work in Canada. If you are a Government-Assisted Refugee or Privately Sponsored Refugee, you will typically receive an open work permit upon arrival. If you have filed a refugee claim, you can apply for a work permit once your claim is on file with IRCC. Confirm your documentation with your settlement worker or an immigration legal aid office before applying to employers, so you know exactly what to bring.
Q: Can I apply if my English is limited?
Yes. Most entry-level warehouse roles require only basic functional English - enough to follow safety procedures and communicate simple needs. Many large distribution centres have multilingual supervisors or team leads. Working with a staffing agency that has experience placing newcomers can help match you with employers who are accommodating to workers who are still building their English language skills.
Q: Will I get training when I start a warehouse job?
Yes. Most large warehouse employers provide paid on-the-job training, typically one to three days in length. Amazon Canada in particular is known for structured paid orientation where you learn safety procedures, how to use scanning equipment, and how to meet productivity expectations before you work independently on the floor.
Q: Am I covered if I get injured at work?
Yes. All Canadian provinces have workers' compensation programs - such as WSIB in Ontario or WCB in Alberta - that cover workplace injuries regardless of your immigration status. If you are injured at work, report it to your supervisor immediately and follow your employer's injury reporting procedures. You are entitled to compensation and medical coverage for legitimate workplace injuries.
Q: Do I have to work night shifts?
Night shifts are common at 24-hour distribution centres, but many employers allow you to indicate a shift preference during registration or hiring. When starting through a staffing agency, your initial assignment may depend on what is available. As you build seniority with an employer, you can typically request a shift change. Overnight shifts usually pay a premium, which some workers prefer given the higher take-home pay.
Q: How quickly can a staffing agency place me in a warehouse job?
If you are immediately available, have your documents in order, and can start on short notice, placement through Drake International or Express Employment can happen within a few days to two weeks of registering. Both agencies have standing relationships with major distribution centres and can move quickly when warehouse demand is high.
Ready to take the next step? Visit RefugeeEmployment.ca at https://refugeeemployment.ca/job-seekers to browse current openings and create a candidate profile. Warehouse work offers stable income, consistent hours, and a genuine path to advancement - and there are employers across Canada ready to hire you now.
