The Maritimes, also called the Maritime Provinces, is a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

For the first time since 1981 to 1986, the number of people relocating to the Maritimes from other Canadian provinces has increased significantly for a number of reasons, including less expensive real estate, a lower cost of living, and friendly people, reports Statistics Canada. If you’re considering a move to the Maritimes, but you’re not sure which province is right for you, read on for more information about housing and job opportunities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

1.  Job Opportunities in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is often referred to as “Canada’s ocean playground” since most of the province is surrounded by water. Halifax is the most populated city in Nova Scotia and one of Canada’s most active economic centers, alongside Sydney, Dartmouth, and Truro. Nova Scotia’s six universities also contribute to the continuous influx of students. The minimum wage in Nova Scotia is currently $15.00 per hour.

While health care, agriculture, and tech careers are on the rise in Nova Scotia, the construction sector is projected to see a 3% increase in employment by 2032, reports BuildForce Canada. According to the Nova Scotia Labour Market Outlook Report for 2022-2032, approximately half of all job openings other than construction in the next 10 years will be in the following sectors:

  • Heavy-duty technicians and engineers
  • Truck drivers
  • Construction electricians and carpenters
  • Health care
  • General labourers

2.  Job Opportunities in New Brunswick

Surrounding New Brunswick’s borders are Quebec in the north, Maine in the southwest, Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. New Brunswick is the largest of the three Maritime Provinces of Canada. Also, it is the only Canadian province that constitutionally accepts both English and French as official languages. The minimum wage in the province of New Brunswick is $11.50 per hour.

According to The New Brunswick’s ten-year Labour Market Outlook forecast for 2023-33, approximately 133,300 job opportunities are expected across various industries, including:

  • Healthcare and social assistance
  • Retail trade
  • Public administration
  • Construction manufacturing
  • Finance, insurance, real estate, and leasing professional
  • Scientific and technical services
  • Educational services
  • Accommodation and food services
  • Other

3.  Job Opportunities in Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Prince Edward Island, the smallest province in Canada, is often recognized as the country’s greenest province, thanks in part to the Wind Energy Institute of Canada. PEI is highly involved in farming and serves as the primary producer of various agricultural products such as potatoes, dairy products, oilseeds, and hay in Canada. The minimum wage in the province of Prince Edward Island is $12.25 per hour.

The occupations in demand are:

  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Health care and social assistance
  • Accommodation and food services
  • Construction and manufacturing

How to Apply for Jobs?

When relocating to the Maritimes, know that you can discover numerous job openings on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed. However, you can also keep a vigilant eye on government portals as well, as they may have relevant positions available from time to time.