The Government of Canada has designed this guide for you the new resident in Canada. It includes some basic information about living in Canada. The guide also contains many telephone numbers and addresses which should be helpful in the next few days, and during the next few years. It can refer you to the help you need, or tell you how to find it.
You may have already received general information about your new country. But what you'll need to know now is more specific. Where can you take language classes? What about housing? How do you go about finding a job in Canada? Whom do you call to find out about schools for your children?
The Welcome to Canada guidebook and pamphlets can help you find the answers to these questions. Canada is a huge country, and every province is different. While we can't provide you with all the information you need, we may be able to refer you to the departments, agencies, and organizations which can help you. Some may be able to help you directly; others may refer you to another source of information.
Immigrant-serving organizations can help you to settle into Canadian society, and many of their services are free. Contact an immigrant-serving organization to find what services are provided. You may find the addresses and telephone numbers of some of these organizations in the pamphlet called Finding Help in Your Community, which is in the back pocket of this guide. Many of these organizations represent a number of different immigrant services and groups, so they are a great place to start. Canada's three levels of government federal, provincial and municipal also offer a variety of helpful programs and services for newcomers. Who offers these programs and services may vary across Canada, since different provinces have different immigration agreements with the federal government. You will find commonly used government telephone numbers listed in the pamphlet called Key Information Sources, which is in the back pocket of this guide. To find out about free language training in your area, please refer to the pamphlet called Language Training, also in the back pocket of this guide.
Since the province of Quebec looks after many important aspects of its immigration program, this guide does not attempt to cover services in this province. If you are planning to move to Quebec, you may wish to pick up their guide for newcomers, entitled: Bienvenue au QUBEC! You can obtain this booklet from the ministere des Relations avec les citoyens et de l'immigration (MRCI). You will find the MRCI telephone numbers for your area listed in the pamphlets called Key Information Sources and Finding Help in Your Community, which are in the back pocket of this guide. Churches, community groups, ethnic associations and newcomer clubs which can give you a hand are probably right in your neighbourhood.
Remember, the information and services provided may vary from one place to another. To get the most out of this guide and the pamphlets that go with it, we suggest that you:
This guide, along with an immigrant-serving organization, can help you through the steps you need to take to settle. It can help you sort out the information you are missing and what services you need. The Welcome to Canada guide also includes a checklist to help you with the things you need to do first.