Working in Ottawa

Ottawa prides itself on being a global centre for learning and now boasts one of the most educated workforces in Canada, thanks to substantial investment in schools and universities. Ottawa also offers some of the highest average salaries in the country. You’ll also find that the city’s unemployment rate is fairly low and stable, making the job market in Ottawa quite attractive.

Despite this, competition for well-paid jobs is quite fierce. It is best to secure a suitable role before moving to Ottawa to ensure a smooth transition.

Job market in Ottawa

Because Ottawa is Canada’s capital, the federal government is the largest employer and the driving force behind Ottawa’s job market. Canadian citizens are typically prioritised for government jobs, although some roles are open to permanent residents and non-citizens, especially in specialised fields. You’ll typically find opportunities in major national institutions, foreign embassies, and non-profit organisations.

Ottawa is also a thriving hub for business and technology. Key sectors driving job growth in Ottawa include technology and innovation, healthcare, social assistance, education, manufacturing, tourism, and hospitality. The city’s tech sector, in particular, is proliferating, with companies specialising in software development, telecommunications, and cleantech.

You should note that fluency in French or English is a requirement for working in Ottawa, and proficiency in both languages will be highly advantageous. Bilingualism can significantly enhance your employability, especially in public-facing and administrative roles.

Finding a job in Ottawa

A good starting point for finding a job in Ottawa is online. Job portals and social networking sites, like LinkedIn, are a goldmine for researching the local job market and applying for roles. You may also want to check specific government and corporate websites for direct listings of vacancies. Popular platforms include Indeed, Glassdoor, and the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.

If you have no previous work experience in Canada, you may face some obstacles, including the language barrier. You may also experience complications having your skills and foreign qualifications recognised by Canadian employers. Ottawa offers support for new arrivals, such as courses in English or French as a second language. You’ll also benefit from contacting Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which runs the Foreign Credential Recognition programme, which evaluates qualifications achieved abroad and helps internationally trained workers transition into the Canadian workforce.

If you’re moving to Ottawa, be aware that the province of Ontario requires a licence to work in specific sectors. Professionals such as teachers, healthcare providers, architects, social workers, and engineers will need to obtain the relevant licence or certificate to practise in the city, along with a work permit, before applying for a position.

Regardless of your industry, anyone working in Ottawa must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), which is essential for employment.

Work Permits in Canada

Useful links

• Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
• French Language Courses (FLS)
• Government of Canada’s Job Bank
• Indeed

Work culture in Ottawa

As Canada’s political hub, Ottawa’s work culture has a reputation for being bureaucratic and inflexible. In reality, the work culture in Ottawa is quite dynamic, and the city has earned global recognition for its fantastic work-life balance. Ottawa is regularly rated in the top 10 of work-life balance rankings, above other major Canadian cities. 

You can enjoy an informal and relaxed work environment, although this varies across different companies and industries. Ottawa’s tech companies are particularly known for their friendly and fun working environments where hard work is highly valued.

Business dress across most sectors is casual or smart casual, although you can always opt for a more formal suit if it aligns with your personal style or the specific company culture. Workplace dress codes have recently shifted significantly, with many industries adopting more relaxed standards. While traditional business attire remains the norm in sectors like finance and law, tech startups and creative industries have incorporated more casual attire, reflecting a broader move towards comfort and personal expression.

Read more: Work Culture in Canada