Canada Moves to Hire 32,000 Workers, Offers to Pay N46,000 Per Hour

Canada Moves to Hire 32,000 Workers, Offers to Pay N46,000 Per Hour

  • Canada to hire 32,000 temporary workers for the 2026 national population census
  • Census data is crucial for informed national planning across various public services
  • Hourly pay ranges from $25.87 to $31.32, with roles primarily field-based

Canada is preparing for its 2026 national population census and is set to recruit about 32,000 temporary workers across all provinces and territories.

The recruitment drive, announced by Statistics Canada, offers hourly pay of up to $31.32, which converts to roughly N46,000 per hour at current exchange rates, depending on the role.

Canadian Census, Canadian workers, immigration, Nigerians
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney's government plans 32,000 workforce immigration for Nigerians. Credit: Pool / Pool
Source: Getty Images

The census is scheduled for May 2026, and the temporary hiring is a key part of the preparations to ensure accurate data collection nationwide.

Who can apply for the census jobs

The jobs are open to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Applicants must be legal adults in their province or territory and must either be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or holders of valid Canadian work permits.

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Applicants are also required to be residing in Canada and have a Canadian home address at the time of application.

While the roles are not open to applicants living outside Canada, the announcement has attracted interest among Nigerians already in Canada on work permits or permanent residency pathways.

Why the Census Matters in Canada

Statistics Canada says the data gathered during the census is critical to national planning.

Census figures are used to guide decisions on healthcare funding, education planning, housing development, transportation infrastructure, and other essential public services.

An accurate count helps governments allocate resources more effectively and shape long-term economic and social policies.

Available roles and job responsibilities

The recruitment includes both supervisory and non-supervisory roles, with most positions being field-based rather than office-based.

Many roles involve visiting households directly, often during evenings and weekends.

Key roles include enumerators, crew leaders, crew leader assistants, field operations supervisor assistants, and collection support unit operators.

The majority of successful applicants are expected to be hired as enumerators or crew leaders.

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Enumerators are responsible for collecting census data by visiting homes, following up on households that have not responded, and interacting directly with residents.

These roles typically involve 20 to 40 hours of work per week between May and July 2026.

Crew leaders supervise teams of enumerators, coordinate field activities, track progress, and handle administrative duties.

These roles usually require around 40 hours per week and run from March to July 2026.

Pay rates and expense claims

Enumerators earn $25.87 per hour, while crew leaders earn up to $31.32 per hour. In addition to hourly pay, workers may be eligible to claim authorised work-related expenses.

Because the roles involve travelling within assigned communities, employees can claim mileage and parking costs where driving is required. Statistics Canada compensates workers for kilometres driven, helping to reduce personal transportation expenses.

How and when to apply

Applicants must complete several stages, including screening, reference checks, and security clearance. Interviews are required for crew leader roles, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Canadian Census, Canadian workers, immigration, Nigerians
Mark Carney's government seeks immigrants to fill workforce vacancies in 2026. Credit: NurPhoto/Contributor
Source: Twitter

Applications are submitted online through the Census jobs portal. The recruitment window runs from November 4, 2025, to July 31, 2026, with hiring continuing throughout this period.

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Applying early can improve the chances of being matched to a role, as timelines vary by location.

Canada plow-maker can't clear path through Trump tariffs

Legit.ng earlier reported that for decades, Arctic Snowplows has sold its Canadian-made galvanized steel products to "anywhere there is snow" across the border in the United States, says company president Mike Schulz.

But a year into President Donald Trump's trade war, some of those customers have been lost, with buyers unwilling to stomach higher prices forced by US tariffs on imported steel.

"Adding an extra $500 (US$363) on the cost of a $10,000 plow, it's a huge hit," Schulz told AFP, as a heavy snow fell outside the company's factory in London, Ontario, 190 kilometers (120 miles) southwest of Toronto.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Pascal Oparada avatar

Pascal Oparada (Business editor) For over a decade, Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy. He has worked in many media organizations such as Daily Independent, TheNiche newspaper, and the Nigerian Xpress. He is a 2018 PwC Media Excellence Award winner. Email:pascal.oparada@corp.legit.ng