For new Immigrants

Welcome to your second home CANADA

Your first year in Canada will be emotional and full of change. You may be looking for a place to live, a job, and schools for your children. You will probably make many new friends. Some of them will know how it feels to move to a new community or new country.

Regardless of your situation, being a newcomer may mean giving up some familiar things for a new way of life. As a result, you may feel anxious or afraid, especially during the first few days and weeks. Almost all newcomers experience these emotions as they settle in. Feeling at home in a new country takes time.

The best way to adjust to your new community is to become involved! Do not hesitate to speak English or French, even if you make mistakes. Understanding and speaking one of Canada's official languages will help you adapt more easily. As you talk with the people you meet, you will feel more in control of your new life. Use each day as an opportunity to learn. Ask questions whenever you need to. Most people are pleased to help. Canadians believe in the spirit of community. No matter which city or town you choose to live in, you will find people who can help you adapt to your new life, and fit into Canadian society.

In the weeks, months and years ahead, you will have many opportunities to participate fully in Canadian life. Take them. You and your family can grow together, side by side with other Canadians, and make a better life for everyone. This is your new home. Welcome to Canada!

Papers and other identity document
Official papers which relate to who you are and where you come from are extremely important. They can be hard to replace if you lose them. These include health records, birth certificates, and Records of Landing (IMM 1000). If you are living in Quebec, you will have a Certificat de selection du Québec (CSQ). You will need these papers to apply for important government services and benefits, and to obtain a Social Insurance Number card and Health Insurance Card. So it is very important to keep them in a safe place at all times, and not to lend them to your friends or let someone else use them. You could lose your benefits if you give your cards to someone else.
It is not necessary to carry your passport or visa around with you, but it is important to have a couple of pieces of ID (identification) with you at all times. Any two of the following would be good: a driver's licence, a photocopy of your permanent resident papers (the original should be kept in a safe place or in a safety deposit box at the bank), a Social Insurance Number card, a Health Insurance Card, and a credit card.

Where to stay

For the first few weeks or months, you will probably want to find some temporary housing while you look for a more permanent place to live. Hotels can be quite expensive, so you may want to rent a furnished room or apartment at first.
To help you in your search, you could check the classified ads in the daily newspaper in your area. Look under Apartments or Houses for Rent. You should also talk to the immigrant-serving organizations in your community. They might be able to help.

Applying for a Health Insurance Card

( http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/care/provincial.html )
Canada has one of the finest health insurance programs in the world. Health insurance means that you don't have to "pay" directly for most health care services. They are paid for through your taxes. When you use these services, you simply present your Health Insurance Card.
While health insurance is a national service, each province administers its own program. There may be some variations for eligibility from province to province. In some provinces you will have to pay a small monthly fee for this insurance. It is important to apply for your Health Insurance Card as soon as possible. You will receive your Health Insurance Card from the province where you live. You can get an application form at a doctor's office, a hospital, a pharmacy or an immigrant-serving organization. You can also get forms from the provincial ministry responsible for health, listed in the blue pages of your telephone book. You will need to show some identification, such as your birth certificate or passport and/or Record of Landing (IMM 1000).
Needy refugee claimants and refugees living in the provinces which have the three-month eligibility waiting period can receive emergency and essential health services. The cost of these services is covered by the Interim Federal Health Program.
Remember: Each member of your family needs his or her own Health Insurance Card. Always bring your card with you when you go to the doctor or the hospital.

 

Applying for a Social Insurance Number card

( http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/sin-nas/010_e.shtml )
Applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) card is one of the most important things you will do after coming to Canada. You will need one to work here, to open a bank account or to obtain your tax credit. This number tells the government who is earning money, paying taxes, paying into pension plans, and using government services. Your employers will ask you for this number.
To apply for one, simply go to your nearest Human Resources Development Canada office (listed in the blue pages of your telephone book). As a new immigrant, you will need to provide the original of your Record of Landing (IMM 1000). If the name you are using to apply for your SIN card is different than the one found on the document you are providing, you must also provide either a marriage certificate or a change of name document.
Remember: You must make sure that the name on all documents is the same name. This name must always belong to the same person, and it must be spelled correctly.

Finding a job

( http://www.jobsetc.ca/ )
At first you may find it difficult to get work that matches your skills. It may also be difficult to find a job that pays as much as you want until you get Canadian experience. Try not to be discouraged. When the right job does come along, you will have the benefit of that previous experience.
When you apply for a job in Canada, the employer will want some information about you. Bring a list of your education and work experience (a résumé). Also bring letters of reference from your former employers, your professional degrees and trade certificates. You may be asked to provide English or French copies of these documents.
Remember that certain trades or professions are regulated, which means that you must be licensed, registered or certified to practice them. In other words, you must meet certain standards which are set by the organization responsible for your profession in the province where you plan to work. The standards vary from province to province. So even though you may be qualified in another country, your qualifications must meet Canadian standards for you to be licensed to practise