Planning to work in Canada?
An essential workbook for newcomers

Section A – Living in Canada

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Introduction

The more you learn about Canada, the faster you will be able to adapt to the Canadian work environment. Taking the time to ask questions, to read and research, to watch videos on the Web or elsewhere, can all greatly help your transition from new immigrant to an established and comfortable member of Canadian society. This section is designed to help you learn more about life in Canada, and to guide you in taking a few essential steps as an immigrant.

Learn more about Canadian government, culture, rights and responsibilities, weather, education and much more on the Canada Site and on the Going to Canada website.

Step 1: Learn about your city or region

Learn more about the city or region that you wish to live in by:

• searching the Internet for regional and municipal websites, and
• visiting the Going to Canada website.

Find out more about public transportation in Canada.

Most large cities in Canada will also have information about public transportation available on their websites.

Once you’ve done this, make notes about factors that are important to you. For example:

• the weather
• types of public transportation
• population
• community services and organizations
• recreation
• types of schools for children (public, private, English, French or French immersion)
• housing
• city map
• hospitals or medical centres

Step 2: Learn about your province or territory

Canada is divided into 13 political regions called provinces or territories. There are 10 provinces and three territories. Learn about the province or territory where you want to live and work in Canada by visiting these provincial and territorial government websites:

The 10 provinces and three territories in Canada are:

Provinces

• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Ontario
  Quebec
  New Brunswick
  Nova Scotia
  Prince Edward Island
  Newfoundland and Labrador

Territories

• Yukon
  Northwest Territories
  Nunavut

You can also search the Internet for “Government” followed by the name of the province or territory.

Make notes about factors that are important to you. For example:

• climate
• geography
• population
• industry
• local economy
• people
• history

Step 3: Need help when you get here? Find immigrant-serving organizations

Settling in will be much easier if you contact an immigrant-serving organization as soon as you arrive. The people who work for these organizations can help you find a place to live and can answer your questions about education for your children, transportation, language training, shopping and other important matters.

Immigrant-serving organizations can help you:

• find a place to live;
• get your Social Insurance Number and health-care card;
• enrol your children in school;
• get language training;
• find a family doctor;
• find out about government and community services for newcomers;
• look for a job;
• develop a realistic budget; and
• get emergency food aid, if it is needed.

Learn more on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.

Identify immigrant-serving organizations in the city or region where you intend to live:

• visit the Government of Canada Welcome to Canada: What you should know website.
• The names and contact information of more immigrant-serving organizations can also be found through an Internet search for “Canadian immigrant-serving organizations.”
• Find newcomer services in your area.

Note: In Quebec, the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (only available in French) is organized into different regions. Each region has a local office, called a Carrefour d’intégration, that works with the immigrant-serving organizations to help newcomers adapt to life in Quebec.

List the questions you will ask an immigrant-serving organization about how to adapt to working and living in Canada. For example:

• What benefits am I entitled to?
• Who do I call about getting my credentials assessed?
• How do I heat my home? How much does it cost?
• What are the seasons like? What type of clothing will I need?
• What type of taxes do I have to pay in Canada?

Step 4: What kind of housing is right for you?

Find out about the cost of housing in the city or region in which you intend to live by visiting the Government of Canada’s Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation – Housing for Newcomers website. You will find valuable information on finding a place to live, renting, buying, government-assisted housing, fact sheets and videos.

Review your financial situation to see what type of housing you can afford in Canada. Compare the cost of housing to your expected wages. Think about whether you will buy a house, rent a house or an apartment, or stay with friends or relatives.

Other housing considerations can also be found on the Going to Canada website.

Step 5: Finding a place to live

Once you come to Canada, you can identify the neighbourhood you think you would like to live in and can afford to live in by:

• asking an immigrant-serving organization whether your choice makes sense for you;
• searching the Internet for housing; and
• searching the Canadian Real Estate Association’s database of property information from realtors across Canada.

Make sure you arrange temporary housing before arriving in Canada so that you will have a place to live when you get here.

Step 6: Social Insurance Number

All working Canadians must have a Social Insurance Number, also called a SIN card. Apply for a Social Insurance Number card (for you and for each of your family members) by visiting the Service Canada website for information on Social Insurance Numbers.

HELP

Everyone who works in Canada needs a Social Insurance Number. Banks often ask for a Social Insurance Number when you open a bank account. You need a Social Insurance Number to file an income tax return and to receive government benefits or allowances.

Your SIN is a confidential number that is restricted to income reporting. There are a select and limited number of federal government departments and programs specifically authorized to collect the SIN.

Find out more about how to protect your privacy and about who can ask for your Social Insurance Number on the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada website.

Step 7: Health Card

All Canadians must have a health card to receive public health care. Health cards are a provincial responsibility. For information on how to apply for a health card, select your province or territory of residence from the list on the Health Canada website. Apply for a health card for you and for each of your family members. Note the eligibility requirements and medical services that are covered.

Find out more about Canada’s health-care system on the Health Canada website.

HELP

It is important to get a provincial or territorial health card as soon as possible after arriving in Canada and carry it with you so that you can access medical and hospital services. If the province where you live has a waiting period before you can get a health card, you should make arrangements for private health insurance to protect you and your family before leaving for Canada until you qualify for public health care.

Step 8: Driver’s licence

Find out how to get a driver’s licence in the province or territory where you plan to live by searching the Internet for “driver’s licence” and the name of the province or territory. Note the eligibility requirements, documents, the costs and the type of licence you will need.

Step 9: Canadian Bank Accounts

Find out how to open a bank account in a Canadian bank by:

• going directly to a local bank in Canada and asking any question you may have;
• visiting the Canadian Bankers Association website; or
• visiting the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada website.

Find out more about money matters on the Going to Canada website.

Step 10: Government benefits

Find out about the government benefits or allowances to which you are entitled by completing the questionnaire on the Service Canada website. You may be entitled to:

• Health insurance and programs
• New housing rebates
• Immigration Loans Program
• Resettlement Assistance Program

You may also wish to find out more about:

• Child and family benefits
• Universal Child Care Benefit
• Children’s fitness tax credit
• Tax credit for public transit passes
• Tax deduction for tools
• Home renovation tax credit

Note the benefits to which you or your family members are entitled.

 

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