When the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic spread to countries around the globe, Canada was one of the first to show its support and take action. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his initial $82 billion economic response plan and that $27 billion would be allocated to ease the financial strain on all Canadian citizens, permanent residents, small business owners, and entrepreneurs. Since then, many more measures have been taken to not only boost confidence but also increase investor optimism in Canadian small businesses seeking international expansion who have found themselves further burdened by this outbreak.
What are the Business Opportunities in Canada?
Canada provides the ideal platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses to become global brands. The country as a whole benefit from strong economic growth, as measured by its growing employment rates and low taxes that provide high living standards for businessmen and women. Canada’s laws also offer local start-ups unprecedented opportunities to access funds and the industry is subject to very few restrictive policies which makes it an ideal place for businesses looking to expand into international markets and ensure their products and services meet strict legal requirements regarding technical capabilities, labor rights, product safety, etc.
Are you an immigrant living in Canada and wanting to start a business? If YES, then we have 10 small business ideas that you can implement and succeed with. Canada has one of the world’s most welcoming and accommodating environments for immigrants and allows them to seek employment all over the country. As an immigrant who’s looking to create their own company, we recommend exploring each of these opportunities so that you may make a useful contribution to the Canadian economy.
Agriculture in Canada- Excellent opportunities, low investment
Canada’s agricultural and agri-food sector is one of Canada’s largest and most lucrative industries, accounting for over $49 billion in GDP. If you are an immigrant who has experience with growing specialty crops or raising livestock in your home country, then you may be able to start a small-scale farm in Canada.
Perhaps you have experience with non-traditional farm products from your native country, giving you an interesting business opportunity that is not commonly found elsewhere in the area. The business could quickly expand by offering these innovative non-local items at local farmers’ markets and/or selling them online using your already established channels of distribution.
The best locations for agricultural business opportunities in Canada for immigrants include Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
Restaurants and Coffee Houses- A bit competitive- yet easy to settle in Canada
For immigrants with cooking skills, opening a restaurant or a coffee house is a popular business opportunity. Through the restaurant, you may be able to introduce foods and recipes native to your country that Canadian residents have an interest in the tasting. The reality is if you can successfully launch such a business, you will never be out of customers, as chances are you will have customers from your native country as well as Canada is loaded with immigrants from all over the world, especially if you are from South Asian or African countries! What’s more is that if you are relocating with your family, you can all work together, creating a family business.
However, keep in mind that due to the growing population of immigrants in Canada, this might be a little competitive. So make sure you have previous working experience in this sector.
Wholesale and Retail Stores or Groceries- Helps you settle faster in Canada
For immigrants to Canada, one of the biggest challenges is knowing how to introduce their native culture to their new home. Those who have a retail store, however, will have an opportunity to create a unique business by selling unique products from their country that will likely help them acclimate to life in Canada better.
Immigrants moving into a province of Canada that is already home to a significant number of immigrants from the same native country could choose to start a grocery store that carries some types of foods that are native to the home country, along with traditional Canadian types of foods.
Technology
Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Ottawa all have prospering tech industries, which is a great opportunity for those immigrants who are looking to start a business that is related to software programming, gaming, or app building.
Construction- Construction boom going on helps immigrants to settle in Canada
Immigrants who have experience in large construction projects are in luck because in several cities the construction business is seeing steady growth and creating more and more opportunities in several cities of Canada.
If you’re relocating to a new country and many of your fellow countrymen have also moved there, you can find prospective employees from your home country who will be eager to work with you as your fellow immigrants may be more comfortable working for someone from their own nation.\
Boutiques
As an immigrant, opening a boutique that stores a huge collection of attires and fashion accessories from your home country might be the most fashionable business opportunity! It is an amazing business and would not lack customers because people of your native country, as well as Canadian people, will visit your store to familiarize themselves with the fashion statements of your country.
Travel Agencies business booming in Canada
Canada’s tourism industry is booming. It comes as no surprise, then, that the country has become a popular destination for travelers from all corners of the globe! If you’re looking to get in on the explosive growth that this tourism industry has enjoyed over the past decade or so, then starting up your own travel agency providing Canadians with accessible travel services is your best bet!
You can help your clients by securing visas, making travel itineraries, managing their flights, hotels, or cabs amongst other services. You can even tie-up with the airline or car rental companies or hotel chains for your business.
Also Read- Seven Easy tips to get Job faster in Canada
Interior Decoration
Interior decoration is another business that people in Canada are typically looking for. interior design or interior decoration is the art or process of designing the interior and in some cases the exterior of a facility; it could be a room or building. As an interior designer, your job would be to coordinate, manage and execute such projects. Immigrants are in high demand in this sector as they can add a hint of culture or aesthetics from their homeland in such projects to give it a unique outlook.
Event Planning and Event Management
Event planning is a business opportunity that many immigrants already present in Canada have found to be a good source of income. However, having connections to locals is an important first step to becoming a successful event planner. In case you were wondering how it all starts, as an event planner effectively helps clients plan out any events they might need help with – whether it’s for weddings, workshops, or conferences – they will carefully calculate the budget given beforehand, specify dates, and times for meetings and ensure the meetings go smoothly.
Immigration Consulting Service
As an immigrant who’s looking to establish your own business in Canada, you may be surprised to know that there are many established professionals with relevant expertise and experience who’ve previously started their businesses as an immigration consultant. In Canada, there are many migrants who don’t know whom they can ask for help when it comes to the challenges of immigration issues. Considering this circumstance, those individuals who have been attorneys or have been involved with previous immigration cases can take advantage of this industry by establishing their own consultancy agencies. Because millions of people come to Canada every year, this line of business offers a profitable venture.