Canada is a beautiful and safe country — one that embraces newcomers from all over the world.
While relocating to a new country can be very exciting, there is also a lot to do in preparation and once you arrive. To make the transition as smooth as possible, consider the following tips.
To start your job search, you can register with the Government of Canada Job Bank. You can use the Job Bank to build your resume, search for a position and browse career planning tools. Looking for opportunities to network with people in your field of interest can also be a good way to meet people in your industry and find a new job. If you haven’t yet, set up a LinkedIn profile to connect with other people in your field.
2) Find a place to live
Before arriving in Canada, you can secure a place to stay in a hotel, hostel or short-term vacation rental using sites like Airbnb or VRBO. When you’ve had time to explore your new surroundings and you’re ready to rent or buy a home of your own, you can reach out to a real estate agent for professional advice or search on your own online. You can use websites and apps like realtor.ca or Zillow to find a property.
While it is possible to set up an international bank account before coming to Canada, you will still need to open a chequing account for everyday banking once you arrive. Luckily, the process of opening a bank account in Canada is easy and convenient and Canadian banks are reliable and secure. Check out the Scotiabank StartRight® program for special newcomer banking solutions, credit cards and more.
4) Get a phone
To ensure you can easily communicate with a prospective employer, landlord or new friends, it’s important to set up your mobile plan when you arrive in Canada. The most commonly used cellphone providers with the widest coverage in Canada include Rogers, Telus and Bell. There are also smaller companies such as Freedom, Virgin, and Chatr.
5) Apply for health insurance
Canada’s public healthcare system is funded through taxes. As a permanent resident, you can apply for healthcare insurance. While most provinces and territories grant access to health coverage upon arrival, British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec have a 90-day waiting period. If you immigrate to a province with a waiting period, you can apply for private coverage to fill the gap. Private health insurance is also used to cover healthcare costs outside of what the public system will pay for.
6) Find a family doctor or dentist
Once in Canada, you will want to find a family doctor in case you experience a non-urgent injury or require medication. You’ll need a prescription from a doctor to obtain many medications. It’s important to know that public healthcare insurance doesn’t cover most prescription medication or dental services. Instead, many Canadians have private health insurance to help cover this cost. Many employers provide private insurance to their employees, and there are also provincial and territorial medication programs, but you must meet eligibility requirements. For help finding a family doctor or dentist, you can refer to the Government of Canada website.
If you arrive in Canada with school-age children, you’ll need to contact your local school board to enroll them in elementary or high school. During the enrollment process, you’ll need your child’s birth certificate, proof of guardianship or custody, proof of residency and immunization record (to ensure your child’s vaccinations are up to date).
8) Find transportation
If you move to a major Canadian city or town, you can take advantage of public transportation, like the bus, subway or train. But if you immigrate to a more rural area, you might consider buying a vehicle to get around. Scotiabank offers the StartRight auto finance program, which is a loan created especially for newcomers. With the StartRight loan, you may be able to qualify with no Canadian credit history, get a new car or one that’s up to four years old and take up to five years to repay your loan. To apply, you need to provide Proof of Permanent Residence of Foreign Worker status and your arrival date, and you must have less than three years of residency in Canada.
9) Get involved in the community
If you don’t have friends or family members in Canada, getting involved with your community will help you meet new people. Most neighbourhoods have a nearby community center, libraries and recreation centres for your whole family to enjoy. Playing sports or joining a club is another great way to meet like-minded people. You can also sign up for Canada Connect, which is a program that matches newcomers with long-time community members. You can meet online or in person to gain a better understanding of the community and connect with other people.
Settling in Canada as a newcomer
Immigrating to Canada, or any new country, can feel a bit overwhelming. You’ll be confronted with a new city or town, new people and a new climate (make sure you prepare yourself for your first Canadian winter!). To smoothly transition to life in Canada, consider these tips and try to embrace this new and exciting experience. Canada is a country known for its kindness, multiculturalism and diverse cultural heritages. It’s a wonderful place to live.
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EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
