Are you prepared to discover the benefits of volunteering in Canada for yourself?
In Canada, you’ll encounter new cultures, landscapes, and foods while also learning about local and global challenges. A Canadian journey will provide you with a sense of fulfillment and purpose.
Canada has always been seen as a gorgeous frontier by North Americans and others throughout the world. From the wide tundras and huge Yukon River to the lakes, woods, and historic cities, Canada is a vibrant and fulfilling destination to live, experience, and explore.
Is Canada a good place to volunteer?
Canada is an underappreciated volunteer location. While it is culturally similar to the United States, it has many distinguishing features that should not be neglected, making it an enjoyable site to visit and learn about.
One of the most remarkable facts about Canada is that it has two official languages: English and French.
It’s fascinating to learn about francophone history and culture while in Canada, especially if you volunteer or visit Quebec, which is considered the hub of the French-speaking community.
If you enjoy history, the arts, and/or wildlife, and the outdoors, volunteering in Canada is a fantastic opportunity. It’s full of surprises, from contemporary, bustling cities to remote, picturesque tiny towns and villages.
11 Benefits of Volunteer Work in Canada for International
1. Make a difference
The key benefit of volunteering in Canada will be what you provide to the local community. Meeting community members, becoming a part of daily life, learning about local concerns, and contributing to their resolution will be invaluable experiences that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
2. Explore more of the world.
Even if Canada is close to home, its history, geography, and culture are all worth exploring!
From the cosmopolitan city of Montreal in the east to the scenic city of Vancouver in the west, Canada is a huge country with ten provinces and three territories.
Volunteering in Canada provides opportunities to view some of the country’s vast animals and natural beauty.
Bears, moose, beavers, butterflies, elk, and eagles nestled among rivers, lakes, woods, tundra, and mountains—if you enjoy the outdoors, this is a nation not to be missed.
If you prefer city life, Quebec City has a European-style old town replete with a fortress and city walls.
3. Gain new life skills.
You will be surprised at the skills and views you develop while volunteering. You will improve or build your adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving abilities, as well as any professional or technical skills required for your job.
You may have the opportunity to study French, Canada’s official language, as well as other cross-cultural communication skills.
Volunteering in Canada can also instill in you an insatiable curiosity about the world, leading you to become an avid volunteer or traveler—don’t say we didn’t warn you!
4. Get experience in a field or concentration.
The experience you acquire from volunteering in Canada will complement the life skills you will build.
Whether you’ve taught children in a rural community, practiced medicine, or provided health care instruction as part of an internship, this experience will impress admissions officers and hiring managers.
Including foreign volunteer experience on your resume or in a cover letter will help you achieve your goals and succeed in the future.
5. Establish a network.
Aside from knowledge in a specific sector or area of emphasis, having a global network of friends and professional contacts can help you advance your academic and career goals.
It’s also fantastic for personal fulfillment—the relationships you form while overseas will last a long time, with shared experiences forming strong links of friendship.
6. Create lifelong memories.
From dining at a sugar shack and tasting fresh maple syrup to trying your hand at ice fishing or dog sledding, Canada offers many unique, shared experiences to offer!
Volunteering will provide important moments, both individually and in collaboration with your fellow volunteers and local community members. You’ll come home with a lot of fresh memories to share with your friends and family.
7. Maintain an active lifestyle.
Regardless of the type of volunteer job you pick, one of the most significant advantages of volunteering in Canada will be the mental and physical activities you engage in.
Conservation work may involve trekking, mountain climbing, and trail maintenance, whereas volunteering your time and energy to a nonprofit organization may entail problem-solving, event management, or other more mentally demanding jobs.
In either case, being active in these ways relieves stress and enhances quality of life. Giving back and knowing you’re making a difference is a definite way to feel better!
8. Explore a different culture and way of life.
Canada has a diverse population, each with its history and culture. Canada welcomes immigration while simultaneously maintaining a vibrant indigenous culture: the Inuit, Métis, and First Nations all call Canada home.
It is critical for a volunteer traveling to Canada to learn about the people who live there; their tales will make your experience more meaningful and effective.
While enjoying hockey games, poutine, beaver tails, and celebrations such as May Two-Four (Victoria Day), remember to learn about folks who have called Canada home for thousands of years.
9. Become knowledgeable about world concerns.
In addition to learning about local difficulties, volunteering in Canada provides you with knowledge about global issues.
Traveling allows you to observe things personally that you cannot see while watching TV in your living room.
You will not only learn about these difficulties, but you may also be able to help solve them. By listening, observing, and comparing what you learn to what you know from your home country, you will develop into an active global citizen capable of solving local and global problems.
10. Get a stamp on your passport
Becoming an international traveler can begin close to home! If Canada does not appear to be far away, consider it a stepping stone to more distant destinations.
A Canadian journey will equip you with the skills necessary to pursue additional foreign volunteering or career possibilities.
11. Find your mission.
Traveling to Canada as a volunteer will provide you with the understanding you need to make an academic or career decision.
It’s an excellent approach to learning about a potential career path or location.
You might discover a passion for something you had never considered trying before, or you might meet someone who encourages you to follow a dream you hadn’t even considered!
Volunteer programs are open to people of all ages and backgrounds, and it’s never too late to discover a purpose, a passion, or just something you enjoy doing.
3 volunteer programs in Canada to help you get started.
1. Top Volunteer Programs in Canada.
With a focus on conservation and the environment, this program is ideal for individuals wishing to experience the Canadian wilderness.
From rehabilitating orphaned animals in Ontario to training and caring for huskies in the Canadian Arctic, you can make a difference by supporting your preferred animal welfare organization.
This is an excellent opportunity to get outside, tour national parks, and gain practical experience working in the conservation industry.
2. Travel For Teens: USA and Canada Ultimate Adventure
In high school yet still want to see the wonders of Canada? On this fantastic tour, you will see eleven of North America’s most gorgeous national parks.
You’ll learn about conservation initiatives in the parks, participate in adventurous activities such as zip-lining through Canada’s mountain forests, and build long-lasting connections with the other teens you meet.
3. Maison Emmanuel, Centre Éducatif: Volunteer Assistant, Special Educator
Join a wonderful community that provides meaningful care for people with developmental impairments.
If you want to gain experience in teaching or healthcare, this job could be ideal for you! Live a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle by participating in organic agriculture, meal preparation, community workshops, homemaking, and other activities.
You’ll be able to study or enhance your French language abilities while also participating in a range of Canadian outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, ice skating, canoeing, and hiking.
Volunteer Work Visa/Permit Requirements in Canada
Canada is a first-world country with one of the toughest border control systems in the world.
Fortunately, EU citizens, Americans, and Mexicans just need an onward flight and will be issued a visa ranging from three to six months.
The bulk of Western countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, will be given the entire six months.
Take notice that US citizens can no longer cross the border with just their birth certificate or driver’s license.
All US citizens must now carry a valid passport.
Russian, South African, and Chinese citizens must apply for formal visas.
Canada’s working holiday visa is known as the International Experience Canada program. Only a limited number are issued each year, but they are not very difficult to obtain.
The majority of nations eligible for this visa include EU countries, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as some first-world Asian countries.
The United States does not have access to this program. Typically, visas allow you to work and live in Canada for up to a year.
Some nations, such as New Zealand, allow you to stay for more than a year due to other working holiday agreements.
Keep in mind that you must apply for the working holiday visa well in advance and will be required to have either a job or proof of a specified amount of money/income.
Seasonal backpacking skills are needed in Canada.
Spring Work
Springtime in Canada signals the end of winter and the reopening of numerous tourist routes. For example, at this time of year, Vancouver’s cruise ports begin to offer jobs.
You could even be able to launch conservation programs throughout the northern section of the country.
Summer Jobs
Summer is the ideal time to begin looking into volunteer opportunities at summer camps. These are distributed throughout the country and are available in both rural and urban areas.
The majority of these camps are concentrated in the east of the country, particularly along the coast and in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
However, you should apply for these roles well in advance. There are some short-term positions available, but it is foolish to rely on them.
Autumn
More conservation projects will begin in the autumn, but now is the time to start looking into bar and restaurant work.
Tourist numbers remain strong, and competition for places is substantially reduced. The main cities of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal provide the best prospects of getting a job.
Winter
Winter is the season to tackle the ski slopes. There are ski slopes all around the country, but we recommend checking out Alberta and the Canadian Rockies.
The majority of the skiing sector in this area is concentrated in the scenic town of Banff, which is only a few minutes away from the slopes and has excellent public transportation connections.
You might also want to check out neighboring Lake Louise and other national parks in the vicinity. During the winter, there is a lot of seasonal labor at taverns, restaurants, and hotels.
Attitude to Foreigners Working or Volunteering in Canada
Working and traveling in Canada is a long-standing tradition. Canada is also a very cosmopolitan country, with Toronto boasting the most diverse population of expats in the world.
Many young Canadians work and travel in other countries, so it is not surprising that locals see young travelers doing the same thing.
Many businesses in Canada rely on the highly developed working holiday program to provide paid workers and volunteers to help with business operations for a few months each year.
Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP)
The Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP) allows skilled Canadians to join in Canada’s international development aid activities.
The initiative assists Canadian organizations in deploying a diverse range of Volunteers willing to contribute their time and knowledge to communities in underdeveloped countries. They may include:
- Professionals and Experts
- Young leaders and retired/semi-retired professionals.
Volunteers make a difference in a range of sectors by offering targeted assistance and strengthening local organizations’ skills, all while contributing to the advancement of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.
They also help to engage Canadians in international development activities within Canada.
Volunteer postings can be short or long-term (2 weeks or up to a year), and often include pre-departure and reintegration training. There are some virtual volunteering opportunities.
FAQS
Can I volunteer in Canada as a foreigner?
Yes, visitors to Canada are permitted to volunteer in Canada, with the condition that they do not fill a practicum (placement) position meant to be part of a student’s course of study.
How do I find volunteer opportunities in Canada?
To find current opportunities, call a known group, contact your local volunteer center, browse your local newspaper, or search volunteer websites or databases.
Conclusion
Volunteering in Canada allows you to develop experience while contributing to vital causes.
It’s time to join the ultimate volunteer adventure. Like any other country, local and global concerns have created a demand for volunteers who are open-minded, inquiring, adaptive, and eager to make a difference.
Volunteering in Canada has numerous rewards, and you’ll leave knowing you’ve helped to preserve what makes Canada so special—its people, nature, and way of life.
