Savanna Hoffman
The payment of interns in Canada is a highly debated topic, with some arguing that it provides an opportunity for newcomers to gain a foothold in their chosen industry, while others criticize it as an exploitative and classist system. While federal law in Canada requires interns to be paid at least minimum wage, student interns are exempt from this rule. Student interns in Canada are not considered employees and are not entitled to overtime pay, which has led to concerns about unfair labor practices and the potential for exploitation. However, some provinces, like Ontario, have updated their laws to make unpaid internships illegal unless they are part of an academic credit or placement. The average salary for a student intern in Canada is $22.99 per hour, according to reported salaries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are student interns considered employees? | No |
| Are student interns entitled to pay? | No, but employers may choose to compensate them. |
| Are student interns entitled to pay while on leave? | No |
| Can student interns work overtime? | No, but with their approval, employers may establish a work schedule that exceeds the standard hours of work. |
| Are there industries that pay student interns? | Yes, for example, government agencies and big trade publishers. |
| Are there industries that don't pay student interns? | Yes, for example, creative industries like graphic design, illustration, animation, TV/film, and games. |
| Average salary for a paid student intern | $22.99 per hour |
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What You'll Learn
- Student interns are not considered employees and are not required to be paid
- Student interns can undertake both unpaid internships and paid employment with the same employer
- Student interns are not entitled to pay while on leave
- Student interns are entitled to leaves of absence and other labour standards protections
- Unpaid internships are considered exploitative and classist by some
Student interns are not considered employees and are not required to be paid
In Canada, student interns are not considered employees and are not legally required to be paid. This is because the primary purpose of an internship is for the intern to gain knowledge and experience. According to the Canada Labour Code, the activities performed by student interns for an employer are not considered to be work. However, employers may choose to provide monetary compensation to student interns, but this is not connected to the activities performed. Additionally, student interns are not entitled to pay while on leave.
While student interns are not considered employees, it is important to note that they still have certain rights and protections under federal labour standards. For example, student interns are entitled to leave and must be provided with specific leaves of absence. They also have the right to refuse any shift that is scheduled less than 96 hours in advance. Student interns must also be informed of any changes to their scheduled shifts in writing at least 24 hours in advance, and they must approve any work schedule that exceeds the standard hours of work, which is typically 40 hours per week averaged over a period of two weeks or more.
The topic of unpaid internships in Canada has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that it provides an opportunity for students to gain valuable experience and get a foot in the door in their chosen field. Others view unpaid internships as exploitative and classist, favouring individuals who can afford to work without compensation. There have been instances where the government of Ontario has taken action against companies that did not fairly compensate their interns, resulting in retroactive wage payments.
It is worth noting that the laws and regulations regarding internships in Canada may vary by jurisdiction. For example, in Ontario, the Employment Standards Act (ESA) governs internships, and unpaid internships are allowed if they are part of an academic credit or placement. However, in other provinces, the laws may differ, and internships that meet certain criteria may be required to pay at least minimum wage. Therefore, it is essential to refer to the specific laws and regulations in each province or territory when determining the rights and requirements of student interns.
While the average salary for a student intern in Canada was reported to be $22.99 per hour in November 2024, this may include both paid internships and instances where employers voluntarily provided monetary compensation to student interns. Ultimately, the decision to provide compensation to student interns in Canada is at the discretion of the employer, unless required by specific provincial or territorial regulations.
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Student interns can undertake both unpaid internships and paid employment with the same employer
In Canada, student interns are not considered employees, and the Canada Labour Code does not require them to be paid. Their activities are not considered work, and they are primarily in the workplace to gain knowledge or experience. However, student interns can undertake both unpaid internships and paid employment with the same employer. In such cases, the total hours worked across both positions must not exceed 10 hours per day or 48 hours per week. If a modified work schedule is approved, the average hours worked per week over a period of two weeks or more must not exceed 48 hours.
The average salary for a student intern in Canada is $22.99 per hour. However, some companies do not pay their interns, and this is a common practice in certain industries, such as the creative industries. While some view unpaid internships as a valuable opportunity to gain experience, others argue that they are exploitative and favour those from wealthier backgrounds.
In Ontario, unpaid internships are illegal unless they are part of an academic credit or placement. A crackdown by the Ontario government in 2014 resulted in $140,000 in wages being retroactively paid to interns who were not fairly compensated.
To be considered a student intern in Canada, an individual must be undertaking the internship to fulfill the requirements of an educational program at a valid secondary or post-secondary educational institution. Employers must provide written notice of any changes to a student intern's schedule at least 24 hours in advance and provide the schedule at least 96 hours before the first shift. Student interns have the right to refuse any shift that starts less than 96 hours after receiving the schedule.
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Student interns are not entitled to pay while on leave
In Canada, student interns are not necessarily entitled to be paid for their work. According to federal law, interns must be paid at least minimum wage unless they are student interns. Student interns are typically not considered employees and are instead in the workplace primarily to gain knowledge or experience to fulfil the requirements of an educational program.
While some interns in Canada are paid, it is not uncommon for student interns to go unpaid. This is a cultural shock for some, especially those from countries where unpaid internships are illegal. Some people view unpaid internships as a great way for an ambitious individual to get a foot in the door in their chosen industry. However, others see the practice as exploitative and classist, favouring those from wealthy backgrounds who can afford to work without pay.
In Ontario, a crackdown by the government in 2014 resulted in $140,000 in wages being retroactively paid to interns who were not fairly compensated. Despite this, unpaid internships remain common in certain industries, such as graphic design, illustration, animation, and TV/film.
Student interns in Canada are not entitled to pay while on leave. They are also not entitled to additional leave unless they can continue to perform their activities. This is because student interns are not compensated with overtime pay and cannot exceed the standard hours of work. Their work schedule must not exceed an average of 48 hours per week over a period of two or more weeks.
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Student interns are entitled to leaves of absence and other labour standards protections
Student interns in Canada are entitled to leaves of absence and other labour standards protections. While the Canada Labour Code does not require student interns to be paid, they are still afforded certain protections.
Student interns are entitled to time off for 10 general holidays per year. They cannot be required to perform activities on these days, except if both parties agree to substitute a general holiday with another day. Pregnant or nursing student interns have the right to request a modification of their activities by providing a certificate from a healthcare practitioner. The employer must either accept the modified activities or provide a written explanation of why this is not practicable. Student interns are entitled to leave while awaiting a response to their request.
Student interns are also entitled to labour standards protections, such as occupational health and safety protections. However, not all labour standards in Part III of the Canada Labour Code apply to student interns. For example, student interns are typically not compensated with overtime pay and cannot exceed the standard hours of work. Student interns may undertake both an unpaid internship and paid employment with the same employer, provided the total hours do not exceed specified limits.
It is important to note that employers are prohibited from treating student interns as if they are not their employees. While student interns may be unpaid, they are still protected from penalties or threats by their employers for exercising their rights. Additionally, international students can also be considered student interns and are entitled to certain labour standards protections, even if they are unpaid.
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Unpaid internships are considered exploitative and classist by some
In Canada, student interns are not considered employees and are not entitled to be paid under the Canada Labour Code. While some employers choose to remunerate interns, this is voluntary and not connected to the activities performed.
The argument against unpaid internships is that they take advantage of inexperienced students who need to build their resumes. Companies can benefit from the work of interns without providing salary, benefits, or any real commitment. This dynamic has been described as a modern form of oppression, with companies exploiting students' need for experience and a foot in the door of a particular industry.
Additionally, unpaid internships contribute to the widening gap between rich and poor. While a young person from a wealthy background can easily take on an unpaid internship, those from low-income backgrounds often need to work part-time or full-time to support themselves and their families. This creates a barrier for low-income students to access certain industries, as they are unable to afford the opportunity to gain experience and make connections through unpaid internships.
Some have argued that internships, in general, are valuable learning experiences and a rite of passage for students. However, critics of unpaid internships believe that companies should be more inclined to pay interns, especially considering the ever-rising tuition fees that students face. The expectation of working for free can be seen as inherently classist, as it assumes that students can afford to forgo a paid job in favour of an unpaid opportunity.
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Frequently asked questions
Student interns in Canada are not required by law to be paid. However, some employers may choose to compensate their interns. The average salary for a student intern in Canada is $22.99 per hour.
Student interns in Canada are subject to the same standard hours of work as employees in federally regulated industries or workplaces. However, since they do not receive overtime pay, they cannot exceed the standard hours without their employer's approval. With approval, their work schedule can exceed 40 hours per week averaged over a period of 2 weeks or more, and 48 hours per week over a period of 2 or more weeks.
Internships in Canada can provide young or inexperienced workers with practical experience in a professional environment before completing their studies or joining the workforce. They allow interns to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and gain valuable connections within their industry.
Yes, there are varying opinions on the ethics of unpaid internships in Canada. Some argue that they provide an opportunity for up-and-coming individuals to get a leg up in their field. In contrast, others view them as an exploitative and classist system that favours wealthy students who can afford to work for free. There have been crackdowns by the Ontario government to address unfair compensation for interns, resulting in retroactive wage payments.
