The Advantage of Working With Quolus & Horizon
Pay
We pay living wages as a base and use market data to set rates. We are not interested in taking advantage of our workers for a few extra dollars. We believe if we treat you fairly, you’ll treat us and our clients fairly too.
Benefits
We are an industry leader in our providing benefits to ALL of our employees. Employee benefits are there to protect you and your family, and help keep you healthy. Our benefits include, dental, healthcare, paramedical (e.g. physio, counselling, dietician, massage), vision care, and life insurance.
Professional growth
Part of growing as a professional, whether on site or in an office, is receiving honest, transparent feedback. We commit to giving our employees, who we consider to be professionals, valuable, timely feedback so they can continue to grow and develop. We try to focus on strengths and build on weakness, to ensure your long-term success.
Training
We provide mandatory, and optional training to our employees. This helps keep them safe (e.g. WHMIS and fall protection training) and helps them grow as professionals (e.g. apprenticeship program, first-aid training, machine operators).
Safety
We want all our employees to go home to their family and friends…We have a dedicated Occupational Health & Safety team that can provide support and guidance for any incidents or investigations as well as training. We adhere to a higher standard of safety then industry norms and are COR certified in BC/AB.
Placement/Location
Work proximity is always considered and excessive travel will be compensated, however many factors are considered in each placement which may take precedence. However with job locations in every city we will do our best to place you close.
Employee vs. Contractor: What’s the Real Difference?
Thinking about switching to contractor status? While contractors often earn a higher hourly rate, they also take on extra costs, responsibilities, and risks that employees don’t—like insurance, benefits, and unpaid downtime.
Curious how much more you’d need to earn to match employee compensation?
Learn More
There are pros and cons to both employee and contractor status. If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor, it’s important to understand the additional costs and responsibilities you’ll take on, which your employer currently covers.
The table below shows how much more you would need to earn as a contractor to take home the same value as an employee.
Hourly rate – Employee vs. Contractor:
Employee hourly base rate | % of base | $20.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 | $40.00 |
Vacation pay | 4.0% | 0.80 | 1.00 | 1.20 | 1.40 | 1.60 |
12 Stat holidays paid | 4.2% | 0.92 | 1.15 | 1.38 | 1.61 | 1.84 |
CPP (Canada Pension Plan) | 5.7% | 1.14 | 1.43 | 1.71 | 2.00 | 2.28 |
EI (Employment Insurance) – optional | 2.6% | 0.53 | 0.53 | 0.53 | 0.53 | 0.53 |
WCB / Worksafe | 3.9% | 0.77 | 0.96 | 1.16 | 1.35 | 1.54 |
Employee benefits (single coverage) | 5.4% | 1.08 | 1.08 | 1.08 | 1.08 | 1.08 |
General liability insurance | 3.6% | 0.72 | 0.72 | 0.72 | 0.72 | 0.72 |
Equivalent Contractor base rate | $25.96 | $31.87 | $37.78 | $43.68 | $49.59 | |
In addition to the hard costs above, as a contractor you will need to manage and cover the following:
Business expenses (costs vary):
- Accounting & tax filing services
- Professional licenses, & certifications
- Training
Time & administration:
- Invoicing, tracking payments
- GST/HST registration and remittance
- Record-keeping for tax audits
- Unpaid time between contracts is variable and unpredictable
Tax write-offs:
- Both employees and contractors can write off tools and PPE. Employees just need to fill out a T2200.
Resources:
CPP | |
EI – self-employed | https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-self-employed-workers/premiums.html |
WCB | Classification unit: 721028 https://www.worksafebc.com/en/insurance/know-coverage-costs/find-classification-industry-rate |
Health & dental benefits | Quote from Hub – June 2025 |
Liability insurance | ~$1,500 per year |
Available and Upcoming Courses
Calmwater and its subsidiaries are committed to investing in their staff by providing training opportunities that build skills, expand knowledge, and increase earning potential. Some programs are delivered internally by our experienced team, while others are offered through trusted partners such as BCIT.
Internal Training
Our internal training programs include WHMIS, Fall Protection (FALL PRO), BCCSA, FIT Testing, skid steer operation, telehandler/rough terrain operation, man boom/genie operation, deficiencies and detailing, paint, patch and silicone work, advanced mechanical training, and specialized surface repair.
External Training
External training opportunities include the Traffic Control Person (TCP) course, OFA Level 2, OFA Level 3, and the CSO/NCSO course, delivered through trusted partners such as BCIT.
Apprenticeship Program (Carpentry)
Our Carpentry Apprenticeship Program offers Year 1 through Year 4 training, combining on-the-job learning with formal instruction to help employees achieve journeyperson status.
