General Motors is a major automotive employer in Canada, operating Oshawa Assembly (trucks), the CAMI plant in Ingersoll (building BrightDrop electric delivery vans) and St. Catharines powertrain operations in Ontario. GM hires production workers and skilled trades for well-paid, unionised roles with strong benefits and pensions, in a business increasingly focused on electric vehicles.
Canada’s diversified economy keeps hiring strong in cities and smaller communities alike, and the country has clear, lawful routes for both local job-seekers and foreign workers. Most overseas hires begin with an employer-supported work permit through IRCC. Here is a practical, up-to-date look at what the job involves, the money, the benefits and how to secure it.
Automotive Manufacturing · Canada · 2026
General Motors Factory Jobs in Canada — trucks, EV vans and strong careers
Major automakerTrucks & EV vansUnionised payOntario plants
Where: Canada
Assembly, EV-van and powertrain roles in Ontario, with unionised pay, benefits and pensions.
Typical pay
CAD 26–40 / hour
Requirement
Training provided
Plants
Oshawa, Ingersoll, St. Catharines
Best for
Reliable team players
✓Reputable automaker✓Trucks & BrightDrop EV vans✓Unionised, strong pay✓Benefits & pension✓Ontario plants✓EV growth
Why General Motors factory jobs are in demand in Canada
As part of Ontario’s large auto sector, GM’s plants recruit production and trades workers as truck demand and EV-van production grow. The shift to electric manufacturing, including the CAMI EV plant, supports investment, retooling and steady hiring, offering long-term stability for reliable workers.
Who can apply: eligibility and requirements
You are typically eligible if you have:
- ✓Training is provided for production roles; skilled-trades positions need the relevant licence (e.g. Red Seal).
- ✓Ability to work rotating shifts and pass pre-employment assessments.
- ✓Work authorisation — Canadian citizenship, permanent residence, or a valid work permit tied to the job.
- ✓A Social Insurance Number (SIN) to be placed on payroll.
- ✓Working English (or French in Quebec) sufficient for the role and safety instructions.
- ✓Physical fitness and reliability for the shifts and conditions the job involves.
Work permit, LMIA and permanent residence
To work legally, most newcomers require a work permit from IRCC. Employers hiring from overseas usually obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) first, confirming no suitable local worker is available, after which you apply for the permit tied to that job. Pathways such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program can lead to permanent residence over time. A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is mandatory before your first payday.
Salary and benefits
Indicative GM factory salaries
Largely unionised production roles pay strong wages that grow with tenure under the collective agreement, with skilled trades earning more, plus overtime and shift premiums.
| Production worker |
CAD 26–34 / hour (grows with tenure) |
| Senior / team leader |
CAD 33–40 / hour |
| Skilled trades (electrician, millwright) |
CAD 40–52+ / hour |
| Overtime & shift premiums |
Common |
Note: Figures are indicative monthly or hourly guides in Canadian dollars (CAD) and vary by province, employer, shift and experience — always confirm the current offer.
Salaries are transparent and protected by provincial employment standards. You are paid by bank transfer / direct deposit, normally fortnightly, after CPP, EI and tax deductions. Employers typically provide health insurance (extended medical, dental and often vision) as per company policy, plus mandatory workers’ compensation insurance for workplace accidents and paid statutory holidays. Building a consistent income record helps with future auto or personal loan eligibility and renting a home.
Key skills and qualities employers look for
Skills that help you get hired and promoted:
- ✓Reliability, punctuality and teamwork
- ✓Quality focus and attention to detail
- ✓Physical fitness for repetitive assembly work
- ✓Commitment to safety and standard processes
- ✓Adaptability across stations and shifts
- ✓Problem-solving; trades tickets unlock higher pay
What the General Motors factory job involves
Production workers assemble trucks or electric delivery vans, or build powertrain components — fitting parts, operating equipment and checking quality — to GM’s standards. The work is shift-based and physically repetitive, with station rotation, strict safety practices, and a team and continuous-improvement culture in a unionised plant moving toward EV production.
Major hiring locations and employers
GM’s Oshawa Assembly (trucks), CAMI in Ingersoll (BrightDrop EV vans) and St. Catharines powertrain plants in Ontario are the main employers, supported by a wide parts-supplier network. As a reputable automaker with a unionised workforce, GM offers strong wages, benefits, a pension and progression into trades and team-lead roles. Apply only through GM’s official careers portal.
Accommodation and settling in
Housing cost varies widely: renting is pricier in Toronto and Vancouver than in the Prairies or Atlantic provinces, so many newcomers start with shared accommodation to manage the rental budget before considering the real estate market. Some employers help arrange or subsidise initial housing — confirm this in writing before you accept.
How to apply, step by step
1
Search official listings
Find current openings on the government Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca), the employer’s own careers page, or a licensed recruitment agency. Note the NOC code and requirements for the role.
2
Prepare a Canadian-style resume
Write a concise, one-to-two page resume and cover letter in the Canadian format, highlighting relevant experience, certifications and safety training.
3
Apply and interview
Submit your application through the official channel and respond promptly. Many first interviews are by phone or video for overseas candidates.
4
Employer, LMIA and work permit
If hired from abroad, the employer typically secures an LMIA, then you apply to IRCC for the work permit. On arrival, get your SIN to start on payroll.
⚠ Avoid job scams
Job fraud targets hopeful applicants, so stay cautious. Real employers do not ask candidates to pay for jobs, visas or LMIAs, and official processing fees are paid through government portals, never to a middleman’s personal account. Confirm roles via Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca) and verified careers pages, and report any scam to the CAFC.
Career growth and progression
1
Start in the entry-level role
Begin by mastering the core duties, safety procedures and workplace standards, building a reliable track record.
2
Move to senior or lead
With experience and any required tickets, step up to a senior, lead-hand or specialist position with higher pay.
3
Supervisor / team lead
Take on scheduling, training and quality responsibility as a supervisor or shift lead.
4
Management and beyond
Progress into operations, site or procurement management; some move into finance management, planning or safety leadership with further study.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience for GM factory jobs?
No. Production roles provide training; reliability, teamwork and quality focus matter most. Skilled-trades roles (electrician, millwright, tool and die) require the relevant licence or apprenticeship.
How much do GM factory jobs pay?
Indicatively, production workers earn about CAD 26–34 per hour growing with tenure under the collective agreement, team leaders CAD 33–40, and licensed trades CAD 40–52 or more, plus overtime and shift premiums.
Where are GM’s Canadian plants?
GM operates Oshawa Assembly (trucks), the CAMI plant in Ingersoll (BrightDrop electric delivery vans) and St. Catharines powertrain operations, all in Ontario, supported by many parts suppliers.
How do I apply for a GM factory job?
Apply through GM’s official careers website. Hiring is direct and free — avoid anyone charging a fee or promising guaranteed jobs, as the company recruits candidates itself.
Can newcomers work at GM’s plants?
Yes, with valid work authorisation. Production roles are accessible with training provided, and the stable, well-paid, unionised work can support a later permanent-residence application.
What benefits does GM offer?
Typical benefits include extended health and dental insurance, a pension, workers’ compensation, CPP and EI, paid vacation and overtime, within a unionised environment.
Final word
GM’s Ontario plants offer strong, unionised automotive careers building trucks and electric vans, with excellent pay, benefits, pensions and training for production roles. Apply only through GM’s official careers portal, be ready for shift work, and never pay a fee to be hired.
Disclaimer: This article is general career information for Canada, compiled for awareness, and is not legal, immigration or financial advice. Salaries are indicative and vary by province, employer, experience and the hours worked; eligibility, wage rules, work-permit and LMIA requirements change over time. Always verify current details with official sources — IRCC, Service Canada, the federal Job Bank and the relevant provincial labour authority — before applying or making any decision. No genuine employer or agent charges a fee to hire you or to issue a work permit or LMIA; never pay for a job and report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
PPU Results Editorial Team shares reliable and easy-to-understand information about jobs, recruitment, exams, results, and career opportunities. Our team researches information from publicly available sources and focuses on clear, useful, and updated content. We encourage readers to verify important details through official sources before making any decisions.
