![toronto landscape](https://fmpglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/canada-landscape-crop.jpg)
Canada Payroll and
Hiring Employees in Canada
The International Payroll & HR Service Provider
That Speaks Your Language
Partner with IRIS Global Workforce Management to simplify your Canada payroll and the processes around hiring employees in Canada. As a recognized and trusted global payroll and HR specialist, we have 88 in-country teams on-hand to help ensure your overseas employees are paid on time, every time.
Navigating payroll and HR in Canada is not always easy. As compliance is a top priority for businesses going overseas, we can support you during a global expansion with specialist HR or payroll solutions. With the differing laws, cultures and regulations, it can quickly feel overwhelming to stay on top of it all. Fortunately, our team of specialist are here to help to your business thrive. We offer:
Looking for Payroll and HR Services?
Canada Payroll & Tax
We eliminate any complexities associated with international payroll and tax by managing everything on your behalf – from local pay to benefits. With our support, ensure your global workforce is paid accurately, on-time, every time.
Hiring Employees in Canada
Global companies can trust our HR services to look after your global firm when it comes to matters of legislation and compliance when hiring employees in Canada. Our HR support is here to help you overcome any challenges.
Canadian Employment Law Compliance
We will help you to seamlessly and compliantly onboard your new hires. With our in-country expertise, we can help with contracts, policies, handbooks and more.
Global Payments Services
Regardless of your business, we are able to provide compliant, global payment services. We make your cross-border transfers cost-effective.
Jump to section
Location Data
- Name
Canada
- Region
- Americas (Northern America)
- Population
- 38005238
- Calling Code
- 1
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Timezone(s)
- UTC-08:00, UTC-07:00, UTC-06:00, UTC-05:00, UTC-04:00, UTC-03:30
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)
$1 = $1.35 - Main Language
- English(English)
- Other Business Languages
- English
- Tax Year Start
- 1st January
- Tax Year Start
- 31st December
Details correct at time of publication. You should not rely on these details without first seeking professional international advice.
A trusted advisor for global expansion
We support businesses in 135 countries worldwide to reach their expansion goals.
Located between Russia and the US, with an affluent economy and home to an efficient transport network, Canada is a profitable place to do business. If you’re thinking of expanding your business to Canada, there are a multitude of benefits. However, there are also some challenges to consider. None more so than international payroll and HR. Whether you’re moving employees abroad or hiring new starters in Canada, you need an expert on your side to help guide the way, ensuring your business remains compliant with the country’s legislation.
![document illustration](https://fmpglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Checklist.png)
Employer Must-Dos
In Canada, the following reports must be submitted to strict deadlines
- GST/HST returns
- Corporate income tax return
- Non-Resident Tax Withholding, Remitting, and Reporting Statements.
Payroll Taxes in Canada
What tax considerations are there?
In Canada, there are three levels of taxes – federal, provincial and municipal, which all impose taxes on businesses in Canada. Non-residents of Canada are only subject to tax on income from Canadian sources. Canadian resident corporations are usually liable for both federal tax and provincial tax at a combined rate.
Employer Contracts in Canada
What are the regular working hours in Canada?
The standard hours of work in Canada are 8 hours a day, Monday through to Friday. 40 hours total in a week.
Termination
When it comes to terminating employment in Canada, employers must abide by the Canada Labour Code. Unlike the US, Canadian legislation addresses ‘Termination With Cause’ when an employee is dismissed for something related to an employee’s conduct and ‘Termination Without Cause’ for reasons unrelated to misconduct.
![Man reading the FMP global payroll brochure](https://fmpglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/International-payroll-services-brochure.jpg)
Looking for more information?
To find out more information about global payroll and the implications and considerations that come along with it, download our free guide to international payroll today.
Doing Business in Ottawa
Canada’s capital city Ottawa is home to a large population of university graduates, which makes it an ideal place to find skilled employees for any business. The city also has a number of academic research centres and institutions, which indicates that companies have access to the latest research and understanding about a range of sectors.
Ottawa also has a healthy economic climate, with a low unemployment rate and strong entrepreneurial investment. Over the last ten years, more than $4.3 billion was invested in technology companies alone. The local government of Ottawa has a commitment to the economic development of the city, and therefore encourages new business.
Doing Business in Toronto
In 2015, The Economist magazine voted Toronto the world’s best place to live. There are many reasons why the city gained this fantastic label, such as its diverse culture, the arts and entertainment scene, incredible food and beautiful, varied scenery. As far as business is concerned, it’s the cities popularity as a place to live that makes Toronto an attractive option for start-ups.
In Toronto, business-owners also have access to a number of funding opportunities, both through the state and privately. There are business support schemes offered by the City of Toronto, and assistance is provided for those who need it while obtaining all the required permits and licensing.
Doing Business in Montreal
One of the most important things to note when it comes to doing business in Montreal is that this is the largest city in the French-speaking province of Quebec. The population here is very proud of their French language, and therefore all legal matters and business-speak will be in French.
Montreal is home to a vast pool of well-educated and highly-skilled workers. There are more than 200,000 university students (35,000+ of whom are international students) and more than 275,000 professionals working in science, technology, maths and engineering. It’s also said to cost less, on average, to run a business in Montreal than in the rest of North America, taking into account electricity rates, loans, tax credits and salaries.
Doing Business in Vancouver
Having the strongest economy of any city in Canada, Vancouver is known to be an excellent place to do business. The state investment in the city has seen improvements in housing, office space, tourism, and the technology and innovation sectors.
The state prioritises aid and assistance for small, independent businesses and local events, while also providing support for major industries. Around 50,000 business licences and 100,000 permits are issued by the City of Vancouver every year, and support is offered for everything from administration to funding applications.
IRIS’s Canada Payroll and HR Services
IRIS is dedicated to helping your business with company formation, tax compliance, visas, general payroll, HR and more. Whether you need payroll and HR in Toronto or Montreal, our in-country teams are here to help. With a single point of contact, you have the help you need, whenever you need it. Our services include:
- Canadian Employment Contracts
- Payroll Processing
- Handling of payments
- Annual declarations (lodging, apprenticeship & training taxes for concerned companies)
- Regulatory Compliance
- Tax and Labor Law Consulting
- Assisting in payroll audit (or payroll department audit)
- Handling of confidential payroll
- Assistance in company restructuring plan
- Assistance in implementation of procedures
- Assistance with start-up (in link with lawyers)
![Woman in a call center answering the phone](https://fmpglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/global-payments-experts.jpg)
International Payroll Services
Stay Compliant – Payroll and HR Services in Canada
Looking for your perfect global HR and payroll partner? Look no further than IRIS. Our Canadian payroll & HR compliance, legislation and employment law knowledge is second to none. We’ll deal with the complexities while you get on with the important day to day tasks.
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about HR and payroll in Canada with these FAQs.
-
While you are not required to create a separate legal entity in Canada, you must register in the province where you are operating and with the CRA.
At IRIS, we also advise employers to undertake a tax risk assessment, including reviewing whether you require a permanent establishment in Canada.
-
Mandatory employee benefits, also known as statutory benefits, in Canada include provincial healthcare coverage, pension contributions, employment insurance, survivor insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. Depending on which province you are doing business in, there can be slight changes in the statutory benefits.
-
No. It is not legally required to have a Canadian bank account, however, it is considered a best practice for an employer to open a local bank account. IRIS can manage this for you with a simple funds request. This will allow you to settle in your domestic currency, and we will manage payments to your employee in their currency.
-
Canadian payroll can be monthly, semi-monthly, weekly, bi-weekly, or daily depending on the province and territory you are doing business in. For example, Alberta requires employers to pay once a month, but they are allowed to use more frequent pay periods, while in British Columbia employees must be paid twice a month.
-
Similar to the United States where there are federal and state regulations, Canada has federal and provincial regulations. It is important to know the regulations of the province you are doing business in, as they can drastically vary from one province to the next.