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Recruitment fees & virtual assistant pricing
Transparent recruitment fees and VA pricing in Canada
Most agencies make you ask. We publish our rates: a flat 15% contingency fee for permanent hires and virtual assistant plans from $799 a month. All in CAD, confirmed in writing before any work begins.
Recruitment agency fees
How our recruitment fees compare to the Canadian market
Canadian agencies typically charge 15–25% of first-year salary on contingency and 20–35% for retained search. Here is where VBC North sits.
| Service | VBC North | Typical Canadian market | Guarantee | When you pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent placement (contingency) | 15% of first-year salary · $4,500 min. | 15–25% of first-year salary | 90-day free replacement | Net 30 after start date |
| Retained / executive search | 20% of first-year salary | 20–35% of first-year salary | 6-month replacement | ⅓ engagement · ⅓ shortlist · ⅓ hire |
| Volume / multi-role (3+ open roles) | From 12% · scoped per project | Rarely published | 90-day replacement | Net 30 per start |
Example: a $65,000 warehouse supervisor placed on contingency = $9,750 + HST, invoiced after day one. The same hire at a 22% market fee = $14,300. We never charge candidates — it’s prohibited under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act.
Virtual assistant pricing
Dedicated VA plans vs. hiring locally
A Canada-based assistant costs $25–45 per hour before payroll taxes, benefits and equipment. A managed VBC North assistant works the same hours with supervision and replacement included.
| Plan | Monthly (CAD) | Hours | Effective rate | Vs. local hire (160 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part-time virtual assistant | $799 | 80 hrs · 4 hrs/day | ≈ $10.00 / hr | — |
| Full-time virtual assistant | $1,299 | 160 hrs · 8 hrs/day | ≈ $8.10 / hr | $4,300–$7,800 + 12% payroll burden |
| Specialist VA (bookkeeping, ads, tech) | $1,799 | 160 hrs · certified | ≈ $11.25 / hr | $6,500–$9,600 + burden |
| Additional hours | $11 / hr | As needed | $11.00 / hr | $25–$45 / hr freelance |
| Dedicated team (3+ VAs) | Custom | From 480 hrs | From $7.50 / hr | — |
Billed monthly, no setup fee, 30 days’ notice to cancel. All plans include a dedicated assistant, a Toronto-based account manager, weekly reporting, backup coverage and free replacement.
What’s included
No hidden extras
Always included
- Job advertising on Indeed, Job Bank, LinkedIn and trade boards
- Skills testing, reference checks and right-to-work verification
- Interview scheduling and candidate preparation
- Offer negotiation and counter-offer management
- 30/60/90-day post-placement check-ins
- Dedicated account manager for every client
- Written fee agreement before any search starts
Quoted separately
- Criminal record checks and credential verification (at cost, ~$65–$120)
- Psychometric or technical assessments by third parties
- Relocation support for out-of-province or international hires
- LMIA application fees and immigration legal counsel
- Equipment or software licences for virtual assistants
Pricing FAQ
Straight answers on fees
Is the 15% fee really all-in?
Yes, plus HST. It covers advertising, sourcing, screening, references, scheduling, offer management and the 90-day guarantee. Third-party checks like criminal record or credential verification are passed through at cost and agreed in advance.
Why is your placement fee lower than most Canadian agencies?
Our sourcing and screening teams operate from delivery centres in India and the Philippines with Canadian account management in Toronto. Lower overhead, same process — and we’d rather win repeat business than a large one-off fee.
Do you offer a rebate instead of a replacement?
Our standard guarantee is a free replacement search. On request we offer a pro-rated rebate schedule (100% in days 1–30, 66% in 31–60, 33% in 61–90) in place of replacement — chosen at signing.
Can I switch a VA from part-time to full-time?
Any time, from the next billing cycle. Most clients start part-time and upgrade within 60 days.
Are there discounts for charities or startups?
Registered Canadian charities receive 12% placement fees and 10% off VA plans. Early-stage startups can ask about deferred fee terms on first hires.
Let’s talk
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