Paralegals and related occupations
Occupation · NOC 2021 42200 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 42200
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 92
- Median wage, Canada
- C$33.05 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,333
OC<CANPARALEGALS<AND<RELATED<OCCUPATIONS<<<< 422006<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2
About this occupation
Paralegals prepare legal documents and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation, or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments. Justices of the peace administer oaths, issue subpoenas, summonses and warrants and perform other court-related duties such as conducting bail hearings. Notaries public administer oaths, take affidavits, sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the scope of their practice. Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Paralegals are employed by law firms, by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed. Justices of the peace are employed by federal, provincial, municipal, and territorial courts. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed. Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed.
Example job titles
- commercial law clerk
- commissioner of affidavits
- commissioner of marriages
- corporate paralegal
- family law paralegal
- independent paralegal
- judicial officer
- justice of the peace
- land titles examiner
- legal researcher
- notary public
- paralegal
- real estate law clerk
- registrar of bankruptcy
- title searcher
- trademark agent
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Paralegals
- Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials
- Assist lawyers in preparation for mediation and judicial dispute resolutions
- Under the supervision of a lawyer, prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits
- Research records, court files and other legal documents
- Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.
- Independent paralegals
- Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings, at tribunals and before administrative bodies
- Advise clients and take legal action on landlord and tenant matters, traffic violations, name changes and other issues within their jurisdictions.
Employment requirements
- Paralegals in law firms require a bachelor's degree in law or a law college diploma and in-house training from a law firm or other legal establishment.
- Independent paralegals require knowledge of legal principles and procedures usually obtained through industry-sponsored courses and through experience, or through completion of a community college paralegal program.
- Paralegals require a licence to perform advanced legal services.
- Justices of the peace requirements can vary from a background in law and the justice system, completion of a justice registrar, justice of the peace or other court training program depending on their duties and responsibilities.
- Justices of the peace in the provinces are appointed by the lieutenant governor in council and, in the territories, by federally appointed territorial commissioners.
- Notaries public usually require a university degree in law or a related field.
- Notaries public are appointed after examination and certification of their qualifications by the governing judiciary in their province or territory. All appointments have specific limitations on the activities they can perform and for specific periods of time.
- Notaries public require a provincial licence. In British Columbia, membership in the Society of Notaries Public is also required.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 33 |
| 2026 | 3 |
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Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 10 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 10 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 60 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 45 |
| 2022 | 70 |
| 2023 | 60 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 50 |
- Federal Skilled Worker650
- Canadian Experience Class405
- Provincial Nominee Program25
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$21.63 | C$33.05 | C$52.19 |
| Alberta | C$25.96 | C$33.65 | C$55.00 |
| British Columbia | C$26.43 | C$39.58 | C$50.67 |
| Manitoba | C$21.25 | C$32.72 | C$67.20 |
| New Brunswick | C$20.00 | C$30.26 | C$46.15 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$18.00 | C$26.01 | C$37.84 |
| Nova Scotia | C$17.00 | C$28.21 | C$42.01 |
| Ontario | C$20.71 | C$33.00 | C$54.95 |
| Quebec | C$20.56 | C$28.57 | C$45.11 |
| Saskatchewan | C$20.00 | C$30.00 | C$85.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,333
- Vacancies advertised
- 1,456
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$24.00
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