Lightkeeper / Assistant Lightkeeper - Canadian Coast Guard (BC staffed lightstations)
A salaried federal job living at a wild Pacific lighthouse.
Record checked Oct 27, 2026 · official source confirmed 3 Nov, 06:45 UTC
Summary
The Canadian Coast Guard still employs full-time lightkeepers at staffed British Columbia lightstations; hiring happens through occasional federal job inventories, and none is open now.
Dream spread
A salaried federal job living at a wild Pacific lighthouse.
Relocation reality check
No lightkeeper posting is open: the Coast Guard's current-opportunities list (22 roles) has none. The last BC inventory (2023-24) closed 31 Dec 2024. Federal hiring favours Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and stations are being reduced (Carmanah and Pachena keepers were relocated in 2024). Pay figures come from media reports of the old posting.
- A job with tied housing: you need the right to work there before you apply.
Caretaker & Guardian HousingLighthouse keeper
Caretaker terms
This program does not provide a visa.
- Housing
- Free housing
- Utilities
- Not stated
- Cost to you
- No rent or fee stated
- Stipend or pay
- ~CAD 50,000-67,000 per year (media, 2023-24 posting) (~$2,966/mo, approximate, as of 2026-10-21)
- Commitment
- Permanent federal employment, rotations
- What you give
- Station maintenance, weather & marine radio reporting
Reality engine
Four lenses on whether this move fits you — tap a panel to see the logic behind each signal.
Eligibility
Federal public-service hiring; past postings sought a Restricted Operator radio certificate and remote-station skills.
Conditions
The program's rules on record, blockers first. Confirm each on the official source.
Citizens or permanent residents of Canada only
BlockerThis role is closed to people moving from abroad: Canadian citizens & PRs only. This program does not provide a visa.
Family members not covered
CautionDependants are not included in this program — each family member needs their own route.
Costs & money
The amounts & terms on record from the official source. USD figures are estimates.
- Property purchase
- Not required
No amounts on record. Check the official source.
True cost to move
Upfront cash, reimbursements, and net position after approval — not headline incentive amounts.
- Flights & logistics$1,200
- Temporary housing (90 days)$2,400
- Deposit / first month rent$2,000
- Visa & consular fees$500
- Health insurance$600
- Legal & translation$400
- Setup costs$800
Application roadmap
A practical sequence — adjust for your consulate and timeline.
1. Confirm official eligibility
Read the primary government source.
2. Gather income & employment proof
Bank statements, contracts, or tax records.
3. Book consulate / immigration appointment
Slots vary by country and season.
4. Prepare health coverage
Meet minimum coverage rules before arrival.
Meet people before you go
We are still curating 🇨🇦 Canada-specific communities. Meanwhile, these global boards answer relocation questions every day.
Communities being curated — start with r/expats meanwhile
- r/expats100k+ members
Life abroad, country comparisons, honest post-move retrospectives.
Source trail
We could not fully confirm the key figures against the official source. Check it yourself before relying on them.
“"The Carmanah and Pachena Point lightstations, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, are staffed with full-time CCG personnel." (DFO Question Period Note DFO-2024-QP-00038)”
Primary official sourceLast checked Oct 27, 2026- Secondary referenceLast checked Oct 27, 2026
Rule changes
CasaSedora last checked the official source on 14 Nov 2026. Changes appear here once two independent automated checks agree on them, or a person confirms them.
No rule changes recorded since monitoring began.
Our summaries point you to what moved — always confirm details on the official source.