Getting ready for your new life in Canada can be an exciting yet challenging endeavour. There’s just so much to do!
To help you prepare for this life-changing event, check out our webinar recording from April 2021 on ‘Getting ready for your new life in Canada’ featuring Rizza Solis and Aabra Ashfaq from YMCA of Greater Toronto.
We have also compiled a list of the key steps you should take in this journey as well as links to useful resources.
GATHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS
Documents to Bring: https://settlement.org/ontario/immigration-citizenship/landing-and-leaving/landing-in-canada/what-documents-should-i-bring-with-me-when-landing-in-canada-as-a-new-immigrant/
IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH AND FRENCH
Mauril: https://mauril.ca/index_en.html
Resources of the Language Portal of Canada: https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/index
Online Language Assessment Tool: https://www.clb-osa.ca/
How to Improve English speaking skills: https://settlement.org/ontario/education/english-as-a-second-language-esl/esl-for-adults/how-can-i-improve-my-english-conversation-skills/
Top 10 free apps for learning English https://livelearn.ca/article/language-training/top-free-apps-for-learning-english/
Toronto Public Library, ESL Resources: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/new-to-canada/esl.jsp
ACCOMODATION
COVID-19 mandatory hotel stopover: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice/mandatory-hotel-stay-air-travellers.html
Newcomer’s housing resources portal: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/consumers/home-buying/newcomers
How to Look for Rental Housing: https://settlement.org/ontario/housing/rent-a-home/find-rental-housing/how-can-i-look-for-rental-housing/
Finding a realtor: https://www.realtor.ca/meet-a-realtor/#v=location
PREPARE TO FIND WORK
Job bank: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/findajob/resources/covid-19
Get help before arriving in Canada (Employment): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/pre-arrival-services/prepare-work.html
The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials: https://www.cicic.ca/
Alberta
- ALIS- Alberta’s Employment Resource Portal https://alis.alberta.ca/
- Working in Alberta: A Guide for Internationally Trained and Educated Immigrants https://alis.alberta.ca/media/697790/workinginalberta.pdf
British Columbia
- Work in B.C. https://www.welcomebc.ca/Work-or-Study-in-B-C/Work-in-B-C
- BC JobConnect: https://iecbc.ca/our-work/programs/bc-jobconnect/
Manitoba
- Manitoba Start: http://www.manitobastart.com/
- Employment Resources for Residents in Manitoba http://residents.gov.mb.ca/findingwork.html
- Career Development Resources for Newcomers (Manitoba) http://www.manitobacareerdevelopment.ca/cdi/newcomer_career_development.html
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Advanced Education, Skills and Labour (Finding a Job): https://www.gov.nl.ca/aesl/findajob/
New Brunswick
- NB Jobs: https://www.nbjobs.ca/findajob
- Employment in New Brunswick: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/gateways/employment.html
Nova Scotia
- Finding a job: http://novascotiaimmigration.com/work-here/finding-a-job/
- Employment Programs in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/employmentnovascotia/programs/default.asp
Ontario
- Employment Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/employment-ontario
- Ontario Bridge Training Programs: https://www.ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade
- Jobs and Employment: https://www.ontario.ca/page/jobs-and-employment
Prince Edward Island
- PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada https://www.peianc.com/en/employment-assistance-service-for-newcomers
- The Employment Journey on PEI (Newcomers) http://employmentjourney.com/newcomers/
Quebec
- Working in Quebec https://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-quebec/index.html
- Emploi Quebec: https://www.emploiquebec.gouv.qc.ca/
- Look for a Job in Montreal: https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/nouveaudepart/en/capsules/permanent/0/10
Saskatchewan
- Working in Saskatchewan https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/moving-to-saskatchewan/live-in-saskatchewan/to-work/finding-work
- Saskatchewan Jobs: https://www.saskjobs.ca/
Canada-wide
- Career Edge (Paid Internships) https://www.careeredge.ca/
- Federal Internship for Newcomers Program https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/prepare-life-canada/prepare-work/federal-internship.html
- FAST Program: https://fastbc.org/
EDUCATION SYSTEM
- Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/education-training.aspx
- British Columbia: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/education
- Manitoba: https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/
- New Brunswick: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/education.html
- Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca/education/
- Nova Scotia: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/education-and-early-childhood-development
- Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-education
- Prince Edward Island (PEI): https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/education
- Quebec: http://www.education.gouv.qc.ca/en/home/
- Saskatchewan: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/ministries/education
HEALTH COVERAGE
Provincial Health Insurance
- Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-how-to-apply.aspx
- British Columbia: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/msp-covid-19-response
- Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/
- New Brunswick: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/MedicarePrescriptionDrugPlan/content/medicare/ApplyingforaCard.html
- Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/mcp/registration/
- Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/DHW/msi/moving_travel.asp
- Ontario: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/56401/ontario-expands-coverage-for-care
- Prince Edward Island (PEI): https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/apply-pei-health-card-new-residents
- Quebec: https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/press-room/questions-answers-about-our-services-during-pandemic
- Saskatchewan: https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/health-cards/Pages/Apply-for-a-Health-Card.aspx
GET TO KNOW YOUR DESTINATION CITY/PROVINCE
Weather website: https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca
Compare Cost of living:
- https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=Canada&country2=Canada
- https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/canada
Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/
PREPARING FOR YOUR ARRIVAL
Information on Pre-Arrival Services: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/pre-arrival-services.html
Welcome to Canada guide: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/pub/welcome.pdf
Get to Know Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/prepare-life-canada/provinces-territories.html
List of Settlement Agencies: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp
What to expect when you first arrive in Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/entering-canada
Living in Canada tool: https://www.cic.gc.ca/lctvac/english/index
How to Bring Belongings to Canada: https://settlement.org/ontario/immigration-citizenship/landing-and-leaving/landing-in-canada/i-am-immigrating-to-canada-how-do-i-bring-my-belongings-with-me/
COVID-19: Travel, testing, quarantine and borders: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid?utm_campaign=hc-sc-phm-21-22&utm_medium=sem&utm_source=ggl&utm_content=ad-text-en&utm_term=travel%20to%20canada%20covid&adv=2122-0008&id_campaign=12663296824&id_source=122009186524&id_content=511624189099&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1PSDBhDbARIsAPeTqrdvHr3Lcfr61EcXZwFr8QXdypKwK0EZv59jnnjEuWMDk3dW1fQDFmMaAldmEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Contact Details
Rizza Solis, CRS
Outreach and Community Engagement Coordinator
Pre-Arrival Services Program
YMCA of Greater Toronto
rizza.solis@ymcagta.org
Aabra Ashfaq, CIRS
Information and Referral Specialist
Next Stop Canada Pre-Arrival Settlement Services
YMCA of Greater Toronto
aabra.ashfaque@ymcagta.org
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