Cleaning & food prep helper

As per Employment and Social Development Canada, the federal minimum wage is $17.75 per hour effective December 1, 2024, indexed annually to the CPI for subsequent years including 2026. This applies to cleaning staff in federally regulated sectors such as airports, railways, and federal offices. Overtime pay is 1.5 times the regular rate after 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week.

According to ESDC Job Bank data adjusted for 2026, light duty cleaners (NOC 65310) earn $14.00 to $25.64 per hour nationally, with a median wage of $17.50. In high-demand areas like Alberta, median wages reach $20.19 per hour. Entry-level positions start at the low end, increasing with experience.

Foreign workers require an employer-specific work permit supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the TFWP low-wage stream if below provincial median wage. Employers pay a $1000 LMIA processing fee and $230 employer compliance fee as of 2024 rates carrying into 2026. Work permit application fee is $155, with processing in 10-20 business days.

No formal education is required, though some secondary school is preferred; on-the-job training lasts 1 week. Previous experience of less than 1 month is typically sufficient for most positions. WHMIS certification is commonly required post-hire.