Seasonal Work
Benefits of seasonal work
Thousands of seasonal jobs are available in Quebec in several sectors of activity. Among all this choice, you will certainly find a job that meets your interests.
Choose a seasonal job for:
- a challenging and exciting career
- developing new skills
- entering or re-entering the workforce quickly
- working with colleagues who share your passion
- a physical job, often outdoors
If you are a student, working in a seasonal job while you are in school is a great way to gain experience, develop skills and make professional contacts. Consult the page Student Employment for more information.
Finding seasonal work
Visit Québec emploi to find out what seasonal jobs are available right now.
To maximize your chances of quickly finding a job that matches your interests, you can structure your search. To do so, consult the section Job Search Tips.
In-demand sectors of activity and seasonal jobs
Here is a table with some examples of seasonal jobs you can do in Quebec. We also present the main periods of activity, but these may vary depending on the length of the season and the region where the job is carried out. Most of the trades identified below can be practiced throughout Quebec, but some regions have a greater need for them.
| Examples of seasonal work | Sectors of activity | Periods of activity | Predominant regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple syrup producer (cultivation and transformation of maple products) | Agriculture | March to May | Lower St. Lawrence |
| Fisherman's helper | Fishing and processing of aquatic products | April to October | Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Côte-Nord, Bas-Saint-Laurent |
| Captain of a fishing boat | Fishing and processing of aquatic products | March to November | Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Côte-Nord, Bas-Saint-Laurent |
| Quality controller in an aquatic products processing plant | Fishing and processing of aquatic products | March to December | Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Côte-Nord, Bas-Saint-Laurent |
| Cook | Tourism, accommodation, catering and leisure | May to October | Gaspésie-Îles-de-la- Madeleine, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Charlevoix, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Capitale-Nationale, Côte-Nord |
| Guide (interpreter, animator, adventure tourism) | Tourism, accommodation, catering and leisure | Summer season: May to October Winter season: November to April | No predominant region |
| Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers | Landscaping | March to November | Montérégie, Montréal, Laurentians, Capitale-Nationale Lanaudière |
| Market gardener (food plants) | Agriculture | April to November | Montérégie |
| Sports and Recreation Operator or Attendant | Tourism, accommodation, catering and leisure | Summer season: May to October Winter season: November to April | No predominant region |
| Ticketing and Customer Service Agent for Outdoor Recreation and Lodging | Tourism, accommodation, catering and leisure | Summer season: May to October Winter season: November to April | No predominant region |
| Aquatic Products Processor | Fishing and processing of aquatic products | April to October | Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, North Shore, Lower St. Lawrence |
| Grain producer | Agriculture | April to October | No predominant region, but with a large majority of farms in animal production |
| Hotel receptionist | Accommodation, food and leisure | May to October | Gaspésie-Îles-de-la- Madeleine, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Charlevoix, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Capitale-Nationale, Côte-Nord |
| Greenhouse grower (greenhouse production) | Agriculture | January to November | Laurentians |
| Landscape, Grounds Maintenance and Horticulture Supervisors | Landscaping | March to November | Montérégie, Montréal, Laurentians, Capitale-Nationale, Lanaudière |
| Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists | Landscaping | March to November | Montérégie, Montréal, Laurentians, Capitale-Nationale, Lanaudière |
Below you will find more specific information depending on the in-demand industry you are interested in.
By clicking on a trade presented in this section, you will access its detailed information on the page Explore Trades and Occupations.
Each fact sheet presents the main functions of the trade, the employment prospects in your region, salary data, entry requirements and related training programs.
Agriculture
This sector includes all activities related to growing crops and raising livestock. In Québec, dairy is the main animal production, while grain corn farming is first in crop production.
Learn more about in-demand trades in this sector.
- Harvesting labourers
- General farm workers
To find out more about this sector, you can visit Agricarrières 
, the agricultural production sectoral workforce committee’s website (French only).
To find employment in agriculture, visit Québec emploi or the Emploi agricole (French only) website by the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA).
Landscaping
This sector includes activities related to landscape maintenance or the planting of trees, bushes, plants, lawns or gardens.
Learn more about in-demand trades in this sector.
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
- Nursery and greenhouse workers
- Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
To find out more about this sector, visit HortiCompétences , the ornamental horticulture sectoral workforce committee’s website (French only).
To find employment in landscaping, visit Québec emploi.
Fisheries and fish and seafood processing
This sector includes activities related to capturing and processing fish, shellfish and crustaceans and other aquatic animals for commercial purposes. The fisheries are a highly important industry, especially for maritime regions like Côte-Nord and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
Learn more about seasonal trades that are in demand in this sector.
- Fishing masters and officers
- Longshore workers
- Marine product processing labourers
- Deck and engine room crew
- Fishing vessel deckhands
- Seafood processing workers
- Self-Employed Fishers
To find out more about this sector, visit Pechesmaritimes , the maritime fisheries sectoral workforce committee’s website (French only).
To find employment in the fisheries and aquatic product processing sector, visit Québec emploi.
Accommodation, food and recreation
This sector includes activities that consist in offering short term accommodations and complementary services, mainly to travellers and vacationers in installations such as hotels, motels or inns.
It also includes activities related to food and drink preparation at customers’ request, as well as services that allow customers to take part in sports or recreation or to enjoy pastimes or leisure activities.
- Cooks
- Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
- Light duty cleaners
- Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
To find out more about this sector, visit the Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme website (French only).
To find employment in tourism, visit Québec emploi.
Forestry and logging
This sector includes activities related to the production and harvesting of wood. More specifically, logging consists in the various steps from cutting trees to transporting them to forest product transformation facilities.
- Logging machinery operators
- Logging and forestry labourers
- Chain saw and skidder operators
- Silviculture and forestry workers
To find out more about this sector, visit ForêtCompétences , the forest management sectoral workforce committee website (French only).
To find employment in the forestry and logging sector, visit Québec emploi.
Road Transportation
This sector includes activities that provide passenger and freight transportation services, warehousing of goods and transportation- and warehousing-related services.
- Transport truck drivers
- Heavy equipment operator (except crane)
To find out more about this sector, visit Camo-Route , the road transportation sectoral workforce committee’s website (French only).
To find employment in road transportation, visit Québec emploi.
Temporary Foreign Workers
You want to come and work temporarily in Quebec for a seasonal job? Consult the page Temporary workers of the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration website to find out the steps to take.
Last update: June 22, 2022
