Short answer: yes — but your income is reviewed differently than a standard salaried job.
I regularly speak with people across Ontario who work in unionized roles or in seasonal employment and worry that their income structure will make getting a mortgage difficult. The reality is that many lenders are comfortable with both situations — as long as your income shows consistency and can be supported with the right documentation.
Below is how mortgages typically work for union workers and seasonal employees in Ontario, and what lenders look for in each case.
Being part of a union is often a positive in the eyes of lenders.
If you’re a union worker, lenders typically like to see:
Even if your work involves contract periods, overtime, or job changes within the same trade, many lenders are comfortable as long as your income history shows reliability.
Seasonal employment is common in many industries — construction, agriculture, tourism, municipal work, and more. Being seasonal does not automatically disqualify you from getting a mortgage.
What lenders focus on is:
Rather than looking only at your current employment status, lenders usually assess average income over time.
In most cases, lenders look at:
If your income fluctuates but stays within a consistent range, many lenders are comfortable using an average.
Not always.
Some lenders will approve a mortgage:
This depends on your income history, documentation, and — importantly — which lender is being used. Some lenders are far more flexible than others in these situations.
A few practical steps that often help:
Having the right strategy matters more than your job title.
In Sarnia-Lambton, this commonly applies to union workers in Chemical Valley, seasonal employees working on Great Lakes freighters, and educational assistants who work during the school year and collect EI over the summer. In these situations, many lenders understand that Employment Insurance is a planned and recurring part of annual income — not a concern on its own.
To support mortgage approval, we typically provide a recent pay stub along with T4s and Notices of Assessment from the past two years. As long as income remains relatively consistent year over year, lenders are generally comfortable using an average. If one year shows a larger fluctuation, some lenders may request a third year of tax history to help confirm income stability.
Union workers and seasonal employees can absolutely qualify for a mortgage in Ontario. The key is understanding how your income is viewed and making sure your application is structured properly from the start.
If you’re unsure where you stand — or just want clarity before making a move — I’m always happy to help.
Book a chat at mortgagesarnia.com
