Volunteering vs. working in Canada

"I didn't think I would be violating Canada's immigration laws."

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Considering volunteering while visiting or studying in Canada? Beware! There are laws that protect citizens and permanent residents of the country regarding paid work activities. 

It is true that foreigners in Canada have opportunities to volunteer and gain personal and professional growth experiences, but not knowing the Canadian immigration law in this regard can get you into trouble. We address this important issue in a new article from Immiland Canada, our immigration consulting firm, in order to clarify the difference between working and volunteering in Canada. Did you know that there are serious implications if your volunteer activity competes with the work activities of a resident, a citizen or a Canadian native? 

Learn about the case of Maria Eugenia, a Brazilian student who came to Canada to start her master's degree and began a volunteer program that taught her an unexpected lesson.

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The desire for a new culture and a passion for the environment

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Maria Eugenia traveled from lush Brazil to beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada, to begin her master's degree in Environmental Management at the University of Prince Edward Island. 

The excitement and eagerness to begin her studies and meet new people was indescribable and, she says, had a positive impact on her host community, as from the beginning Maria Eugenia proved to be both altruistic and proactive within the institution. Passionate about environmental conservation, the Brazilian student was sure that during her stay in the country she would do the volunteer work she longed for with local organizations, which would allow her to contribute to the region's sustainability efforts, but her altruistic spirit was affected by certain immigration restrictions on volunteering.

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María Eugenia finds complexities in volunteer work

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Soon after her arrival, she was warned by her colleagues and peers that she should evaluate the environmental charitable activities she was doing, as some of them might have legal implications, which worried her a lot and she began to feel fearful of having problems with her status in the country or with her studies. In researching Canadian immigration laws on volunteer work, she discovered that it is certainly complex to do unpaid activities in Canada if you are an international visitor and she was clear that you should not rely on the first invitation you receive for this act, as you could unwittingly be taking on the duties of a local worker. So what to do in the face of uncertainty?

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You need to know the law in Canada

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While volunteering is generally valued and encouraged in this country, regulations are in place to ensure that such activities do not infringe on the rights of Canadian citizens and residents in the labor market.

Careful not to inadvertently violate immigration laws, Marie Eugenie investigated whether her volunteer work would be considered "work" under Canadian law. She did not want to compete with any local employee doing the same thing, much less strip him of his position. She even reflected on her intentions behind volunteering and realized that her main goal was to contribute to environmental initiatives and gain valuable experience, rather than to create uncomfortable competitions with Canadian workers for employment opportunities. This is how she understood from her own experience that you have to know the immigration laws, while reflecting, "I didn't think I was violating Canada's immigration laws."

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Knowledge is an infallible weapon

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Armed with knowledge, the student contacted her study program coordinator for knowledgeable guidance on how to find legitimate volunteer opportunities that comply with immigration requirements, rather than being swayed by third parties or entities that offer volunteer options but do not comply with legal regulations. So it guided her and helped her identify serious and responsible organizations that welcome international volunteers and provide meaningful experiences without infringing on local labor rights.

Finally, Maria Eugenia found relief in knowing that she can help the island's businesses do profitable and sustainable work without altering the quality of the environment and, better yet, without infringing on the labor rights of its inhabitants. She has even already toured several places in the province doing her volunteer work and knowing that she can contribute positively to her host community while respecting the activities of natives, citizens and permanent residents in a country where immigration laws must be understood.

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Explanation of immigration requirements in the case of volunteer activities

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According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, any activity that directly competes with those done by Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the labour market is considered "work", regardless of whether wages are paid or not, so one must evaluate what type of volunteering is being done so as not to potentially compete with paid employment opportunities for locals.

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Key considerations when evaluating volunteer opportunities in Canada

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1. Understanding the definition of "work"

‍Forthis the visitor should be familiar with Canadian immigration regulations on what constitutes "work," as unpaid activities may be considered work if they directly compete with local labor.

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2. Evaluate the nature of the volunteer position:

Consider whether the volunteer position could indeed be performed by a Canadian and whether it competes with paid employment opportunities in the local labor market.

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3. Clarify your intentions: ‍.

Reflect on your motivations for volunteering and that your primary goal is to contribute positively to the community and gain valuable experience rather than to secure employment opportunities that could potentially displace Canadian workers.

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4. Seek guidance:

As the Brazilian student did, when in doubt about the legality of a volunteer option, seek guidance from the relevant authorities or program coordinators. They can provide valuable information and help you find legitimate volunteer opportunities that comply with immigration regulations.

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So far we share this valuable information. Always remember that volunteering in Canada can be a rewarding experience, but you must know the law, that is the principle of respect in a foreign country, then you can enjoy the exuberant beauties of your host country. 

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Immiland has registration agreements with the University of Prince Edward Island and many others. If you are a visitor to this country and want to volunteer in your area, but do not know if you may be in violation of the laws, you can write to us and a regulated Immiland consultant will be happy to assist you. See our web page with all the services for the immigrant or schedule a consultation with a regulated consultant.

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With love,

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Immiland