At a glance
- Pay
- In most cases interns are employees and must be paid at least minimum wage
- Exceptions
- Some placements that are part of a school or college program, and some professions, have special rules
- Length
- A fixed term, often 4, 8 or 12 months
- Federal employers
- Unpaid internships are only allowed when they're part of an educational program
- Young workers
- Age and hours rules for young workers vary by province
- Language requirement
- Describe how each language is used and the level needed. In Quebec, a non-French language requirement must be justified by the duties.
- Language
- In Quebec, the agreement must be in French unless both parties expressly choose another language
Template
Replace the highlighted text in brackets. Delete optional clauses you don't need.
1. Parties
This Internship Agreement is made on [date] between [Employer legal name] (the "Employer") and [Intern full name] (the "Intern")[, in partnership with [school name] (the "School")].
2. Placement and term
The Intern will work as a [title] intern in [team] from [start date] to [end date]. The internship ends on the end date unless both parties agree in writing to extend it.
3. Language requirements
The position requires the Employee to work in [French and English]. The Employee will use [French] to [tasks, e.g. serve clients by phone and email] and [English] to [tasks, e.g. write reports and work with head office], at a [professional / advanced] level for speaking, reading and writing. [If the job is in Quebec: the Employer has assessed that these duties require knowledge of a language other than French.]
4. Learning goals and supervision
The internship is designed to help the Intern build [skills or goals]. [Supervisor name and title] will supervise and mentor the Intern, meet with them at least [weekly], and [complete the School's evaluation].
5. Hours and place of work
The Intern will work about [number] hours a week at [location / hybrid / remote]. Overtime will be paid as required by employment standards legislation.
6. Pay
The Employer will pay the Intern $[amount] an hour (not less than the applicable minimum wage), less required deductions, paid [pay frequency], plus vacation pay as required by employment standards legislation.
7. Confidentiality and work product
The Intern will keep the Employer's confidential information private. Work product created during the internship belongs to the Employer. [The Intern may describe their work in a school report or portfolio with the Employer's approval.]
8. Ending early
Either party may end the internship early with [1] week's written notice. If the Employer ends it early without cause, the Intern will receive the notice or pay, if any, required by [the employment standards legislation of the province where the Intern works], and never less.
9. Governing law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of [province].
10. Signatures
Employer: [name, title] — Signature: __________ — Date: __________
Intern: [name] — Signature: __________ — Date: __________
[School representative, if applicable] — Signature: __________
Adapting the template
Co-op placements
If the internship is part of a school co-op program, add the school's requirements, evaluations and any agreement the school asks you to sign.
Remote internships
Plan more structured check-ins and onboarding for remote interns, and say which province's rules apply.
Hiring after the internship
If you hope to hire the intern, explain how a job offer might follow.
What employers miss
"Bilingual" isn't a job requirement
Write down which languages the job uses, for which tasks, and at what level for speaking, reading and writing. It helps you hire fairly, test the right skills and explain the requirement if it's ever questioned.
Unpaid internships are usually illegal
In most provinces, an intern who does productive work for you is an employee and must be paid at least minimum wage, unless the placement is part of an approved school or college program or another specific exception applies.
Federal rules
For federally regulated employers, the Canada Labour Code only allows unpaid internships that are part of an educational program, and gives interns certain labour standards protections.
Real learning
A good internship has a supervisor, learning goals and feedback, not just extra hands.
Justify languages other than French in Quebec
Under Quebec's Charter of the French language, you can only require knowledge of a language other than French if the duties really need it, after assessing the job's actual language needs and the language skills already in your team. Say why in the job posting and keep a record of your assessment.
Official sources
Check the employment standards for the province or territory where the employee works:
- Ontario — Your guide to the Employment Standards Act
- Quebec — Working conditions (CNESST)
- British Columbia — Employment standards
- Alberta — Employment standards
- Saskatchewan — Employment standards
- Manitoba — Employment standards
- Nova Scotia — Employment rights
- Federally regulated employers — Federal labour standards (Canada Labour Code)
Questions
Can I offer an unpaid internship?
Only in narrow cases, such as a placement that is part of an educational program. Otherwise, pay at least minimum wage.
Do interns get vacation pay?
Paid interns who are employees earn vacation pay like other employees, usually paid at the end of a short internship.
Can international students be interns?
Only if their study or work permit allows it, for example through a co-op work permit. Check the permit conditions.
This template is general information based on Canadian employment law, last checked on October 5, 2026. Laws differ by province and change over time, and courts look closely at termination clauses. Have an employment lawyer review your contract before you use it.
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