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Canada is a country flourishing in multiculturalism and diversity. According to statistics, Canada welcomes around 300, 000 new immigrants yearly. After a long journey through the complex immigration system, it is important for newcomers to find accessible resources to help them settle into their new environments.
People from different cultural backgrounds and life experiences often have different values, perspectives, and social norms. Moving to a different country, learning a new language, and finding a job all at once is challenging. In these challenging moments, it is beneficial to reach out to your neighbors, establish a friend circle, or join a community. Below are some free resources available to help you kick-start your new life in Canada.
1 - Settlement.org
Settlement.org is a website managed by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) offering information in but not limited to;
- Immigration & citizenship: sponsorship, immigration laws, landing and leaving, refugees, etc.
Many people go to the Government website for immigration news, however, the jargon used on government websites may be hard to understand for those looking for a simple answer. This website offers information about immigration in clear and simple sentences.
- Health: know your patient rights and responsibilities, where to find a doctor, understand what OHIP covers, and much more.
Every country’s healthcare system is different. It is important to understand what is covered under OHIP and where to get the help you need.
- Employment: Get tips on job hunting, understand Canadian-style resumes, interviews, and your rights at work.
Learn about what is deemed appropriate in the Canadian workplace. For example, some countries ask applicants for a picture, however, asking for the applicant’s picture is illegal in Canada.
- Daily life: Get information on your driver’s license, where to renew your ID, what to do if you get into an accident, crime prevention, etc.
- Education: Learn about the different levels of education in Canada, how to deal with bullying, EQAO Testing, ESL, etc.
- Housing: Tips for living in Ontario, home safety, renting vs. buying a home, etc.
In addition to the above sections, settlement.org also has events pages offering online information sessions and workshops on various topics such as financial advisor, second career, resume makeover, job search strategies, and much more. If you still have unanswered questions, please make use of their discussion board. You can post your question for the settlement.org team to answer.
2- Find a Settlement Agency
The Ontario Government website has a list of settlement agencies available for newcomers. You can filter the search by region, organization name, or address. Many agencies offer free support in the forms of settlement counseling, education workshops, and mentors to help you get to know your neighborhood.
3- The Public Library and Community Centres
Libraries and community centers are great places to make friends, start a new hobby or learn a new skill. Libraries in Canada not only offer books in English and French but also have books in other languages such as Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, etc. You can also borrow movies and CDs. Libraries also offer free programs such as book clubs, discussion groups on a specific topic, and various workshops. These are great places to meet other newcomers and Canadians. It will also help your children make new friends.
Moving to a new place is intimidating, scary, and stressful. Don’t forget that you are not alone in this. There are many people experiencing the same frustrations and challenges as you. The great thing is you have an abundance of free resources and support groups waiting for you to access.
The blog post was written by our Immigration Consultatant-in-Training Olive Chang.
#JourneyTo Canada
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