ontario day to day - settlement.org€¦ · ontario day to day 4 workbook 2010 useful suggestions...

Part 1 Your Arrival in Canada Whattobring,andwhattoexpectfromcustomsandimmigrationofficials

Part 2 Your New Country: Canada Canada’sroleintheworld,theland,history,immigration,multiculturalism,official languages,GovernmentandTheCharterofRightsandFreedoms

Part 3 Your New Home: Ontario Geography,economy,bigcitiesvs.smalltowns,francophonecommunitiesand climate

Part 4 Programs and Services for Newcomers Immigrantsettlementservices,communityconnections,languagetraining programsandwheretofindinformation

Part 5 Getting Started in Ontario Housing,publictransportation,driving,healthcare,ServiceOntario,Service Canada,bankingandfinance,shopping,telephone,Internet,postalserviceand recreation

Part 6 Education in Ontario Childcare,EarlyYearsCentres,elementaryandsecondaryeducation, postsecondaryeducation,languagetraining,adultandcontinuingeducation

Part 7 Business and Working in Ontario Labourmarket,documentsneededforwork,lookingforwork,foreigneducation credentials,regulatedprofessions,gettingworkexperience,yourpaychequeand startingabusiness

ThisworkbookisdesignedasacompaniontotheOntario Day to Dayvideo.Insidethisbinderyouwill

findgeneralandspecificinformationdesignedtohelpyou,thenewcomertoCanada,createanewlifein

Ontario.Therearefacts,figures,websites,andphonenumbers,aswellasexercisesdesignedtohelp

youmakeagoodstart.Pleaserefertothetableofcontentsbelowtolocatetheinformationyouneed.We

wishyouahappy,healthyandprosperouslifeinOntario!

2

5

11

15

19

27

31

Ontario Day to Day

PART

To make the transition to Canada as easy as possible you will need to prepare. This sectionprovidesanoverviewofhowtoprepareforyourarrivalinOntario.Fordetailedinformation,pleasechecktheCitizenshipandImmigrationCanada(CIC)websiteatwww.cic.gc.caorcalltheCICCallCentretoll-freewithinCanadaat1-888-242-2100.IfyouareoutsideCanada,contactaCanadianembassy,highcommissionorconsulateinyourhomecountry.

AsyougetreadytoleaveforOntario,reviewtheOntario Day to Dayvideoandthisworkbooktolearnaboutlifein Ontario. These resources will help you understandwhat you can expect when you arrive. If you haveaccesstothe Internet, researchthewebsitesgiven inthisworkbooktofindusefulinformationandlearnaboutservicesfornewcomers.

Itismostimportanttogatherallthedocumentsyouwillneedtoenter,settle,workandstudy inOntario.A listof documents you should bring is shown on the nextpage.Ifpossible,havethesedocumentstranslatedintoEnglishorFrench.ThiswillmakeiteasierforCanadianofficialstounderstand.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

1

For more information about preparing for your arrival, refer to the Newcomer’s Introduction to Canada at www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/newcomer.pdf or www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/guide/index.asp

OntarioDaytoDay 2 Workbook2010

Your Arrival in Canada

YoumustpresentthefollowingessentialdocumentstoenterCanada:

•CanadianImmigrantVisaandConfirmationofPermanentResidenceforeachfamilymembertravelingwithyou•Validpassportorothertraveldocumentforeachfamilymembertravelingwithyou•Twocopiesofadetailedlistofallthepersonalorhouseholditemsyouarebringingwithyou•Twocopiesofalistofitemsthatarearrivinglater•Proofthatyouhaveenoughmoneytocoverlivingexpensesforsixmonths

Dependingonyoursituation,youshouldalsobringthefollowingimportantdocuments:

•Birth,baptismaland/ormarriagecertificates•Adoption,separationordivorcepapers•Schoolrecords,transcripts,diplomasand/ordegrees•Tradeorprofessionalcertificatesandlicenses•Lettersofreferencefromformeremployers•Résumé(listofyoureducationalandprofessionalqualificationsandjobexperience)•Immunization,vaccination,dentalandotherhealthrecordsforeachfamilymember•Driver’slicenseincludinganInternationalDriver’sPermit•Photocopiesofallessentialandimportantdocuments•Carregistrationdocuments(ifyouareimportingamotorvehicleintoCanada)

OntarioDaytoDay Workbook20103

DOCUMENTS TO BRING

ThegeneralwaitingperiodtoreceivemedicalcoverageinOntarioisthreemonthsfromyourarrivaldate.Youshouldconsiderbuyingprivatehealthinsuranceuntilyoubecomeeligibleformedicalcoverage.

DID

YO

U K

NO

W?

BeforeyouarriveinCanadayoumaybeaskedtocompleteaCustomsDeclarationCard.Youmustcompletethiscardbeforeyoumeetwithcustomsandimmigrationofficials.WhenyouarriveinCanada,youwillbeinterviewedbyaCustomsOfficeroftheCanadaBorderServicesAgency.You will need to show the officer your immigrant visaandalistofallthehouseholdandpersonalitemsyouarebringingintoCanada.TheCustomsOfficerwillthenreferyoutoanImmigrationOfficer.

TheImmigrationOfficerwillcheckyourtraveldocumentsand ask you questions to verify that you are of goodcharacterandingoodhealth.Youmayalsobeaskedtoshowproofofyourfunds.Iftherearenodifficulties,theImmigrationOfficerwillauthorizeyourentrytoCanadaasapermanentresident.IfyouarriveinToronto,MontréalorVancouver,youwillfindimmigrantreceptionservicesattheairport.

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

For information about what you can and cannot bring to Canada, what items to declare, what health documents are required, and other related matters, contact Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) by: • Visiting these websites: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca or www.cic.gc.ca • Calling CBSA toll free within Canada at 1-800-461-9999 • Calling CBSA from outside Canada at 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long distance charges will apply)

ConsiderthesetipsasyouprepareforyourarrivaltoOntario:

WhatyoushouldDO:

•Makeextraphotocopiesofallessentialandimportantdocuments•Keepcopiesofthedocumentsinadifferentplacethantheoriginals•Ifpossible,getallofyourdocumentstranslatedintoEnglishor Frenchbeforeyouarrive•Buyprivatehealthinsurancecoverageforthetimeyoutravelandthe initialfewmonths•Bringasupplyofmedicationswithyoutoallowtimetofindafamily doctor•MakesureyouknowwhatyoucanandcannotbringintoCanada•ResearchOntario’sweather,cities,labourmarket,lawsandother importanttopics•Contactanimmigrant-servingagencyinyourareawhenyouarrive

WhatyoushouldNOT DO:

•Donotpackyourdocumentsinasuitcase•Donotprovidefalseinformationorfraudulentdocumentation,or withholdinformation


USEFUL SUGGESTIONS

MakealistoftasksyouwillneedtodobeforearrivinginOntario.Writedowneachtaskbelowandchecktheboxwhenitisdone.Thiswillhelpyouprepareforyourarrival.

Make a To-Do List

My To-Do Tasks

EX

ER

CIS

E

•CitizenshipandImmigrationCanada:www.cic.gc.ca•OntarioImmigration:www.ontarioimmigration.ca•CanadaBorderServicesAgency:www.cbsa.gc.ca•GoingtoCanada:www.goingtocanada.gc.ca•PlanningtoWorkinCanada?Anessentialworkbookfornewcomers:www.credentials.gc.ca/immigrants/workbook/workbook.pdf•WelcometoCanada–WhatYouShouldKnow:www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/welcome/index.asp

Useful Websites

WelcometoCanada,avastandvariedland.CanadaoccupiesmostofnorthernNorthAmerica,extendingfromtheAtlanticOceanintheeasttothePacificOceaninthewest,andnorthintotheArcticOcean.Canadaisthesecondlargestcountryintheworld.

Canadacontainshighjaggedmountainsinthewest,relativelyflatgrasslandsthroughmuchoftheprairieregion, lowrollingglaciatedmountainsthroughthecentralandeasternpartsofthecountry,andfertilelowlandsinSouthernOntarioandQuebec.

TheCanadianclimatevarieswidely,fromtemperateinsouthernandcoastalareastosubarcticandarcticinthenorth.Wintertemperaturesinmanyregionscanreach-35°C—orcolder—whilesummertemperaturesinsomeareascanexceed30°C.


Your New Country: Canada

Canadacontains tenprovinces, from the fourAtlanticprovincesintheeasttothecentralprovincesofQuebecandOntario,thenwesttothethreePrairieprovincesandfinally toBritishColumbiaon thePacificCoast.TherearealsothreeNorthernTerritories,coveringavastareabutwithasmallpopulation.

Approximately90%ofCanada’spopulation isconcen-trated within 250 km of the border with the UnitedStates.About80%ofCanada’spopulationlivesinurbanareas,therestliveinsmalltowns,villagesandruralorremoteareas.

YOUR NEW COUNTRY

PART 2

Name three provinces and states that border Ontario:

EX

ER

CIS

E

•5,400kilometreseasttowest,withsixtimezones•4,600kilometresnorthtosouth

•9,984,670squarekilometres•33,850,000people(2010projection)


CANADA: SIZE, DIMENSION & POPULATION

Canadacomprisesabout6.7%percentoftheworld’slandareayethas:

•20percentoftheworld’sremainingwilderness •25percentoftheworld’swetlands •10percentoftheworld’sforests

DID

YO

U K

NO

W?

Canada isnotanaggressornation,yethasfoughtwithgreatvalour in twoWorldWars,aswellasother inter-nationalconflicts.Canadamaybebestknownforitsin-volvementinpeacekeeping.Ithasledorparticipatedinmorethan50suchmissionssince1945.CanadaplayedaleadingroleintheformationoftheUnitedNations.

Canadian scientists have contributed important discov-eries—forexample, insulin—toworldhealth.Canadiansinventorshaveproducedthetelephone,thealkalinebat-tery,theBlackberry,thedumptruck,theelectricwheel-chair, the Canadarm—also known as the Space Arm—andbasketball.

TherearemanyoutstandingCanadianauthors,painters,musicians, journalistsandentertainers...aswellasath-letes, journalists, scientists and diplomats. CanadianshavewonNobelPrizesinchemistry,physics,medicine,economics,literatureandpeace.

CANADA’S ROLE IN THE WORLD

A small sampling of well-known Canadian authors, artists and performers:

•GillesVigneault(singer)•MargaretAtwood(author)•DeepaMehta(filmmaker)•WilliamShatner(actor)•NeilYoung(singer)•JimCarrey(comicactor)•SandraOh(actress)•LeonardCohen(poet,singer)•YannMartel(author)

•MikeMyers(comicactor)•RochVoisine(singer)•MargotKidder(actress)•DanAckroyd(comicactor)•BryanAdams(singer)•CelineDion(singer)•KeanuReeves(actor)

Canada has been inhabited for thousands of years byvarious groups of indigenous people—for example theHaidaofthePacificCoast,theBlackfoot,Ojibwaandoth-ernativenationsoftheplains,theInuitofthefarnorth,theCreeof thesubarctic, and theAlgonquin, Iroquois,Mi’kmaqandothernationsintheeast.

Beginninginthelate15thcentury,BritishandlaterFrenchexpeditions explored the eastern and northern shoresofCanada.PermanentFrenchsettlementswereestab-lishedintheearly1600s,settlingmuchofwhatisnowthelowerSt.LawrenceRiverValleyandlargeportionsofNovaScotia,PrinceEdwardIslandandNewBrunswick.

Thiscolony—knownasNewFrance—grewslowly,withsustenanceprovided through thecodfishery, fur tradeandfarming.By1759therewereapproximately65,000colonistsinNewFrance.Throughoutthe17thand18thcenturiesBritainandFrancewereoftenatwar.AftertheSevenYears’War(1754-1763)FrancecedednearlyallofitscoloniesinNorthAmericatoGreatBritain.

Over the next hundred years many English-speakingsettlersmigratedtoCanada.OnJuly1st1867threeofBritain’sNorthAmericancolonieswereamalgamatedasa self-governing dominion of four provinces—Ontario,

Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The day ofConfederation—July1st—iscelebratedtodayas‘CanadaDay’.

Overthenextfourdecadesfivemoreprovinces—Mani-toba,PrinceEdwardIsland,BritishColumbia,AlbertaandSaskatchewan—joined the Canadian federation, withthe tenthprovince—NewfoundlandandLabrador—join-ingin1949.

CanadaretainedtiestotheBritishcrownafterConfed-eration. Inthe20thcenturyCanadaobtainedlegislativeautonomyfromtheUnitedKingdom(1931),andhaditsconstitutionpatriated(1982).


HISTORY

•Canada’sbirthrateisverylow–192ndoutof224nations•ThelifeexpectancyofachildborninCanadais81.23years; ranking3rdintheworldamongnationsofatleast5million people.

DID

YO

U K

NO

W?

Canada is a land of immigrants. Many anthropologists,archaeologistsandotherscientistsbelievethatCanada’sindigenous people migrated from Asia beginning morethan 13,000 years ago and, in the case of some InuitpeopleofnorthernCanada,betweentheyears400and1200CE.

TherehavebeenseveralwavesofimmigrantstoCanadainthemodernera.Theearliestoccurredovertwocentu-riesstartingintheearly1600swithslowbutprogressiveFrenchsettlementofQuebecandAcadia.Smallernum-bersofBritishmilitarypersonnelandtheirfamiliesalsoarrivedinthe1600sand1700s.

A LAND OF IMMIGRANTS

Which two countries have claimed Canada as a colony?

On what date did three of Britain’s North American colonies unite to form Canada?

EX

ER

CIS

E


EX

ER

CIS

E 1775–1899

For each of the two time periods shown below name the countries of origin for three large groups of immigrants to Canada.

1900–1960

These early settlers were later joined by thousands ofAmericans loyal toBritainduring theAmericanRevolu-tionary War (1775-1783). The British Loyalists settledmostly in what is today Southern Ontario, the EasternTownshipsofQuebec,NewBrunswickandNovaScotia.

ThousandsmoreEnglish,ScottishandIrisharrivedinthe1800s.These immigrantswereencouragedtosettle inCanadaaftertheWarof1812bythecolonialgovernorsofCanada,whowereworried about anotherAmericaninvasionattempt.IrishimmigrationtoCanadaincreaseddramaticallyduringthePotatoFamineof1846to1849.

Another wave of immigration came mostly from conti-nentalEurope–Ukrainians,andothers–peakingpriortoWorldWarI,between1910and1913(withover400,000in1913alone).UkrainianCanadiansnowaccountforthelargestUkrainianpopulationoutsideofUkraineandRus-sia.

Yet another wave came from Europe later in the 20thcentury—thistimemostlyGermans,Italians,Portuguese,

PolishandDutch,peakingin1957(282,000),makingCan-adaamoremulticulturalcountrywithmanyimmigrantswhosemothertonguewasneitherEnglishnorFrench.

The current wave of immigration includes many morefromSouthandEastAsia,aswellasnewcomersfromtheMiddleEast,AfricaandtheCaribbean.Today,Canadahasoneofthehighestpercapitaimmigrationratesintheworld.Asmanyas275,000newimmigrantsarriveeachyearinCanada.

Givenitsimmigrationhistory,Canada’speopleandculturesareunderstandablydiverse.Topromoteharmonyinthis‘culturalmosaic’,Canadamaintainsstrongvaluesofequality,diversity,andrespectforallindividualsinsociety.ThesevaluesarereflectedinCanada’spolicyofmulticulturalism.

MulticulturalismmeansthatEnglish,FrenchandAboriginalculturessharethespotlightwiththeculturesofAsia,Africa,theMiddleEast,Europe,LatinAmericaandtheCaribbean.ItaffirmsthevalueanddignityofallCanadians,regardlessoftheirracialorethnicorigins,theirlanguageortheirreligiousaffiliations.Itpromotesracialandethnicharmony,encouragescross-culturalunderstanding,anddiscourageshatred,discriminationandviolence.

SomepeoplecometoCanadawithahistoryofhatredordistrusttowardaparticularethnicgroup.PromotinghatredisnotpermittedinCanada.YouhavetherighttopreserveyourownethnicityinCanada.Youmustalsorespectothers’righttodothesame.

NotethatCanada’sCharterofRightsandFreedomsprotectsthefreedomofreligiousexpression.AlmosteveryfaithisrepresentedinCanada;therighttoholdanyreligiousbeliefimpliesthatyou,asapermanentresidentorcitizeninCanada,mustbetolerantofthebeliefsofothers.

MULTICULTURALISM

AlthoughRomanCatholic,ProtestantandotherChristianscomprisethelargestreligiousgroupsinCanada–about23millionpeopleintotal,Canadaisalsohometomorethan700,000Muslims,about400,000Buddhists,morethan300,000Jews,HindusandSikhs,andmorethan5.5millionidentifiedas‘non-religious’.

DID

YO

U K

NO

W?

Canada’stwoofficiallanguagesareEnglishandFrench.EnglishandFrencharethemothertonguesofabout58%and22%ofthepopulationrespectively,andspokenathomeby71%and23%ofthepopulationrespectively.

AlmostallCanadiansspeakEnglishorFrenchandabout18%speakbothlanguages.

EnglishandFrenchhaveequalstatusinfederalcourts,Parliament,andinallfederalinstitutions.Citizenshavetheright,where there is sufficientdemand, to receive federalgovernmentservices ineitherEnglishorFrench, andofficial-languageminoritiesareguaranteedtheirownschoolsinallprovincesandterritories.

Although85%ofFrench-speakingCanadiansliveinQuebec,therearesubstantialFrancophonepopulationsinotherprovinces—particularlyinnorthernandeasternOntario,NewBrunswick,andpartsofManitoba,SaskatchewanandAlberta.

SpeakingEnglishorFrenchisextremelyimportanttostartingalifeinCanada.Knowingoneoftheselanguageswillhelpyou: •Findandmaintainemployment •BecomeaCanadiancitizen •Activelyparticipateinyournewcommunity •Communicatewithyourchildreninthelanguagetheyarelearninginschool

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms—“TheCharter”—isabillofrightsentrenchedintheConstitutionof Canada. The federal government, the provincialand territorial governments and all Canadian citizensand residents must abide by its terms. The rights andfreedomsenshrinedintheCharterinclude:

Fundamental freedoms,namelyfreedomofconscience,religion,thought,belief,andexpression,freedomofthepressandofothermediaofcommunication,freedomofpeacefulassembly,andfreedomofassociation;Equality rights, meaning equal treatment before andunder the law, andequal protection andbenefitof thelawwithoutdiscrimination;

Democratic rights (for citizens), most importantly theright toparticipate inpolitical activitiesand the right to

ademocraticformofgovernment,morespecificallytherighttovoteandtobeeligibletoserveasmemberofalegislature;and

Legal rightswhendealingwith the justice systemandlaw enforcement, including the right to freedom fromunreasonablesearchandseizure,freedomfromarbitrarydetainmentor imprisonment, the right tobepresumedinnocentuntilprovenguilty,andtherightnottobesubjecttocruelandunusualpunishment.

CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS



At every level—municipal, provincial or federal—governmentleadersinCanadaareelected.Everycitizen18yearsorolderhastherighttovoteinCanada.

Canadaisaparliamentarydemocracyandaconstitutionalmonarchy,with theCanadianmonarch (QueenorKing)theheadofstate.

The Governor-General, appointed to a five-year termon the recommendation of the Prime Minister, is themonarch’srepresentativeinCanada.

Canada’snationalParliament inOttawaconsistsof theHouseofCommonswithelectedmembersservingtermsuptofiveyears,andtheSenatewithmembersservinguntil age 75. Senators are appointed by the GovernorGeneralontheadviceofthePrimeMinister.

The country’s national political leader is the PrimeMinister, who typically heads the political party whichhas elected the most representatives to the House ofCommonsinOttawa.Thisnationalgovernmentcreatesand passes into law all legislation regarding Canada’snationalpoliciesandinternationalaffairs.

Similarly,inOntarioweelectaPremierastheProvince’spolitical leader.Heorshe typicallyheads theprovincialpoliticalpartywith themostelected representativesattheprovincial legislature inToronto,knownasQueen’sPark.ThisprovincialgovernmentmakesandpasseslawsaffectingthecitizensofOntario.

The Prime Minister, provincial Premiers and electedterritorial leaderseachformagroupofMinisterscalleda Cabinet which assumes responsibility for specificaspects of government, for example, Finance, ForeignAffairs,InternationalTrade,HealthorEducation.

Each government department or Ministry — Federal,ProvincialorMunicipal—maintainsfull-timeemployeeswhocarryoutthepolicies,administertheprogramsandperformtheservicesapprovedbytheelectedlegislatorsorcouncillors.

HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS IN CANADA

EX

ER

CIS

E

Using various sources – Internet, newspapers or newsmagazines, answer the following questions:

1.WhoisCanada’scurrentheadofstate?

2.Whoishis/herrepresentativeinCanada?

3.WhoisCanada’scurrentprimeminister?

4.Whatpoliticalpartydoeshe/shelead?

5.WhoisOntario’scurrentpremier?

6.Whatpoliticalpartydoeshe/shelead?

For more information, please refer to Discover Canada, a study guide available online, via download or in print from Citizenship and Immigration Canada: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/discover/index.asp

•GoingtoCanadawww.goingtocanada.gc.ca

•AboutCanadahttp://canada.gc.ca/acanada/vwctgry.htmor

www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/guide/index.asp

Useful Websites

Morethan125,000immigrants—halfofthosewhocometoCanadaeachyear—choosetosettleinOntario.Notsurprisingly,Ontario isculturallydiverse,particularly in its largercities.Torontoaloneishometomorethan90differentethnicgroups.ThissectionprovidesabriefoverviewofOntario–yournewhome.


Your New Home: Ontario

Ontario is the second largest province in Canada—almost1.1million square kilometres—bigger than theUnitedKingdom,France,BelgiumandtheNetherlandscombined.Withinthatgeographyarevastborealforestsandmorethan250,000 lakes.Over65%ofOntario iscoveredinforestandanother15%inwater.Thevariedlandscape includes the vast, rocky and mineral-richCanadianShield, separating the fertile farmland in thesouthandthesubarcticlowlandsofthenorth.

Withapopulationofmorethan13million,OntarioisthemostpopulousprovinceinCanada—morethan38%ofCanadiansliveinOntario.

ONTARIO’S GEOGRAPHY

Find your new home on the map of Ontario.FindamapofOntarioandfindyournewcity,townorregiononthemap.

EX

ER

CIS

E

PART 3

Over seven million Ontarians live in what is called theGoldenHorseshoe,anareaaroundthewesternendofLakeOntariofromOshawatoHamiltonandtheneasttoSt. CatharinesandtheNiagararegion.TorontoisthebiggestcityintheGoldenHorseshoe—includingthesur-rounding cities of Mississauga, Brampton, Markhamandothers,over5.5millionpeople—anditisthebiggestinallofCanada. It isalsothemostdiversified intermsofworkopportunities.Itishometohugefinancialinsti-tutionsandcorporateheadquarters,toserviceorganiza-tionsandcommunicationscompanies, aswell as largehealthcare institutions,mediacompaniesandresearchinstitutes.

AcrossLakeOntariofromTorontowediscoverSt. Cath-arines, the largest cityof theNiagara region, home towine-making, tourism,agribusiness,manufacturingandfinancialservicesfirms.

Around thewesternendofLakeOntario liesOntario’sthird largest city, Hamilton, long known for its steelindustry and other manufacturing, increasingly knownforconstruction, foodandbeverage,transportationandwastemanagementcompanies,and for itseducationalinstitutions.

NotfarfromHamiltonisOntario’sfourthmostpopulat-edurbanarea,“Canada’sTechnologyTriangle”ofKitch-ener,Waterloo,andCambridge,withsignificantsizedresearch, technology, manufacturing, higher educationandfinancialservicesectors.

FurtherwestwefindLondon,Ontario,hometooneofCanada’slargestuniversities,severallargemanufacturingoperations,financialservicesfirmsandaninternationallyrenownedhealthsciencesnetwork.

Ontario’smostsoutherlylargepopulationcentreisWind-sor,withalongtraditionofautomobileandpartsmanu-facturing,alsoknownforitstourismanddistilleryfirms.

TotheNorthwestaretheGreatLakeportcitiesofThun-der Bay andSault Ste. Marie,while in theNortheastaretheminingtownsofSudburyandTimmins,andthetourismandtransportationcenterofNorth Bay.

HeadingbacksouthtowardsLakeSimcoewefindBar-rie,withstrongretail,service,transportationandmanu-facturingsectors,theneastofToronto,Oshawa,anothercity with a long tradition in automobile manufacturing,and Kingston, known for its educational institutions,militarybase,correctionalinstitutions,historicalbuildingsandbeautifulsettingattheeasternendofLakeOntario.

Headingnortheastwefind last, but certainlynot least,thecityofOttawa –Canada’snational capital andOn-tario’ssecondlargestcity,withitsthousandsofgovern-mentemployees,telecommunicationsfirmsandwell-de-velopedhigh-techsector.


Technologicallyadvancedandindustrialized,Ontariohasadiversifiedeconomywithastrongservicessectorandsubstantial trade, particularly with the United States.Ontario’s economy offers excellent opportunities forimmigrantsinmanysectorsrangingfrommanufacturingto information and telecommunications technology,softwaredesignand life sciences tofinancial services,healthcare,construction,hospitalityandretailtrade.

Ontario’seconomyhad itsbeginnings in thepursuit ofnaturalresources:timber,furandminerals.Theprovince’smanyriversandlakes,particularlytheGreatLakes,madefor natural transportation routes. As the population ofOntario increased, people started new industries andsurveyed, cleared and farmed the rich agricultural landinthesouth.

Today, Ontario’s economy still depends on naturalresources, particularly in the north, while southernOntario,withitsproximitytotheenormousU.S.market,is heavily industrialized. Ontario is part of the NorthAmerican manufacturing heartland and is favourablylocatedtoservemajorCanadianandU.S.markets.

You will find more information on Ontario’s economy, and economic sectors at www.ontario.ca (click on “Topics” then “Economy”)

ONTARIO’S ECONOMY

ONTARIO’S CITIES


Theword“Ontario”comesfromanativeword,looselytranslatedas“beautiful,sparklingwater”.

DID

YO

U K

NO

W?

Manyimmigrantswonder“whereshallweliveinOntario?”and“inwhatsizeofcommunity?”Makingthosedecisionsdependspartlyonopportunitiesforemployment,butthereareotherconsiderations.Forexample,doyoufeelmostathomeinacity,avillage,or intheagriculturalcountryside?DoyouhaverelativesalreadylivingsomewhereinOntario?Andhowdovariousplacescompareintermsofemployment,schoolsorhealthfacilities?

BiggercitieslikeToronto,Ottawa,Hamilton,Kitchener-WaterlooorLondonhavethelargestimmigrantcommunitiesandimmigrantsupportcentres,aswellasstoresthatselltheproductsofyourhomecountries.Theyoperateextensivepublictransitsystems,andotherpublicservicesarereadilyavailable.

Andtheselargercitiesofferthemostvariedopportunitiesforemployment,fromthemostbasicservicejobstothemostsophisticatedfinancial,researchandmanufacturingwork.But, inthebigcities,competitionfor jobscanbefierce.Bigcitiesarealsomorecrowded,andlivingcosts,particularlyhousing,andotheritemslikeinsurance,canbemuchhigherthaninsmallercentres.

ManyofOntario’ssmallercities,townsandruralareashavethebenefitsofamorebalancedlifestyle.Thecostoflivingislower,especiallyforhousing,andthereisgreateropportunitytomeetneighboursoutsideyourimmigrantgroup.

Asyoucansee,decidingwheretoliveinOntariodependsonindividualpreferencesandopportunities,andrequirescarefulthought.

LIVING ADVANTAGES - BIG CITY OR SMALL TOWN?

EX

ER

CIS

E

ExploreOntario’scitiesandtownsby:1.Speakingtopeopleyouknow,2.Askingyourlocalimmigrant-servingagencyforinformation,and3.ReferringtothefollowingwebsitestolearnaboutOntario’sregions,citiesandtowns:www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/how_live_cities.aspwww.ontario.ca (clickon“AboutOntario”atthetopthen“CitiesandTowns”) www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-city.asp

Comparetheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofbigandsmallcitiesusingthetablebelow:

Where would you like to live – big city or small town?

Big City Pros (Small City Cons) Small City Pros (Big City Cons)


Decidingwhere to livemaybeabit easier forFrench-speaking immigrants, since there are fewer towns inOntariowhereFrenchiscommon.ButthereisasizeableFrenchcommunityinToronto,aswellasinOttawaandacrosseasternandnorthernOntario.

Some French-speaking newcomers choose Englishcommunitiesforthelanguageimmersion.GuyBizindavyi,who now lives in Toronto, says that if you live in an

English-speakingplace,it’seasiertolearnEnglish.Ithashelpedhim,andheiscontinuingtolearn.

For more information on Ontario’s francophone communities, and resources for Franco-Ontarians, please consult: http://www.ofa.gov.on.ca/en/franco.html

ONTARIO’S FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITIES

ContrarytowhatyoumayhaveheardaboutOntario,it’snotalwayswinter!Therearefourdistinctseasons:spring,summer,autumn,andyes,winter.Inthewinter,peopledressappropriatelywhenoutdoors—mittsorgloves,scarves,hats,warmcoats,andinsulatedboots.Inthesummerpeopletypicallywearshortsleevedshirtsortops,shortpantsorskirts,andgenerallymuchlighterclothing.

ONTARIO’S FOUR SEASONS

David Philips of Environment Canada:

IthinkifyouwantedtosamplealloftheCanadianclimates, come to Ontario. Certainly we’re notthe coldest, we’re not the hottest, we’re notthesnowiest…there’sa littlebitofeverything;there’snothingboringabouttheweatherhereinOntario.

Formoreinformation,pleaseconsult:www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/about_weather.asp

EX

ER

CIS

E

What are the average temperatures in the part of Ontario where you will be living?

1.Usethiswebsite: www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_ normals/index_e.html2.Select“Ontario”fromalistofprovinces3.SearchforortypeinyourOntariolocation4.Youwillseeatablewithmonthlyaveragetemperatures foundinthefirstrow

•Ontario:www.ontario.ca

•OntarioImmigration:www.ontarioimmigration.ca

•OfficeofFrancophoneAffairs:www.ofa.gov.on.ca/en/franco.html

•Ontario’shistory:http://www.ontario.ca/en/about_ontario/EC001034?openNav=history

Useful Websites

The Governments of Canada and Ontario fund many different programs and services to helpnewcomers settle and succeed in Ontario. Community organizations—usually known asimmigrant-serving agencies, newcomer settlement agencies or multicultural centres—delivertheseprogramsandservices.Schoolboardsandcommunitycollegesalsooffersomesettlementservices. Immigrant-serving agencies can provide you with useful information, answer yourquestionsandhelpwith: •Findingaplacetolive •Lookingforwork •Findingafamilydoctor •Enrollingchildreninschool •LearningEnglishorFrench •Shoppingforfood,clothingandfurniture •Fillingoutformsandapplications •Interpretingandtranslatingdocuments •Becominglicensedinyourprofession •Manyothersettlementmatters

Theseservicesareusuallyfreeandalwaysconfidential.Manyagenciesprovideservices in languagesotherthanEnglishorFrench.Someagenciesservespecificgroups,forexamplewomen,children,francophone,familiesdealingwithdomesticviolence,orcertainethnicgroups.

For more information or to find your local immigrant-serving agencies, visit www.ontarioimmigration.ca and www.settlement.org


Programs and Services for Newcomers

PART 4

SettlementagenciesprovideservicestonewcomerstoOntarioinoneormoreofthefollowingcategories:

•Information&orientation •Needsassessmentandreferral •Labourmarketpreparation •Supportservices,suchaschildmindingortransportation. •Communityconnections •Languageandskillsdevelopment

Manyagencieshaveeligibilityrequirementsthatyouhavetomeettousetheirservices.Forexample,youmighthavetoliveinacertainarea,orhaveacertainimmigrationstatus.


SETTLEMENT SERVICES IN ONTARIO

1.Usethiswebsite:www.settlement.org/findhelp/2.Under“Wheredoyouwanttosearch?”enteryourOntariocityname,addressor postalcode3.Under“Whatareyoulookingfor?”clickonImmigrationandRefugeeSettlement ServicesthenonSettlementServices4.Scrolldowntoseeallagencies.Forsomeareasyoumayseeonlyoneagencylisted.5.Clickontheagencynameorthewebsitelinktolearnmoreabouttheservicesoffered6.Writedownthecontactinformationforyourlocalagencyoragenciesbelow:

To find immigrant-serving agencies in your community

EX

ER

CIS

E

NameofAgency Address PhoneNumber

The“communityconnections”elementoftheFederalGovernment’sSettlementProgram,deliveredbyimmigrantservingagencies,matchesnewcomerswithCanadians.Volunteerscanhelpyou:

•Overcomethestressofmovingtoanewcountry •Learnaboutavailableservicesandhowtousethem •PracticeEnglishorFrench •Developcontactsinyourfieldofwork •Participateincommunityevents

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Thereareseveralgovernmentfundedlanguagetrainingprogramsforadultimmigrants.TheseprogramsaredesignedtohelpnewcomerslearnEnglishorFrench.Someprogramsofferjob-specificlanguagetraining.

Languagetrainingprogramsaredeliveredbyschoolboards,colleges,universities,privateschoolsandimmigrant-servingagencies.Youcanalsotakelanguageclasseson-line.Manyclassesarefreeandsomeoffertransportationandchild-mindingservices.Dependingonyourarea,youmayhavethechoicetoattendclassesfull-timeorpart-time,andatvarioustimesduringtheweek.Formoreinformationaboutlanguagetrainingclassesinyourarea,speaktoyourlocalimmigrant-servingagency.

LANGUAGE TRAINING PROGRAMS

IfyouareinToronto,PeelRegion(Brampton,Caledonia,andMississauga)orOttawa,youcangotoaNewcomerInformationCentre(NIC)whenyouarrive.NICsprovidefreeinformationandreferralstocommunityagenciesthatcanhelpyousettleintheseareas.

To find a NIC in your area, visit www.settlement.org or call a Community Information Centre (see below)


1.Usethesewebsites:www.ontarioimmigration.caorwww.settlement.org2.Select“English”or“French”andfollowthestepsgivenoneachpage3.Afteryoucompletestep4,youwillseealistoflanguageclassesthatmatchyourcriteria4.Writedownthecontactinformationoftheorganization(s)offeringtheclass(es)

Finding a language class near you

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION

NameofAgency Address PhoneNumber

EX

ER

CIS

ED

ID Y

OU

KN

OW

?Immigrant-serving agencies organize many events and

programs in addition to the ones listed above. These may

include conversation classes, field trips, potluck dinners,

informationsessions,holidaypartiesandmanyothers.Tolearn

more,speaktoyourlocalimmigrant-servingagency.

NEWCOMER INFORMATION CENTRES (NIC)

Community InformationCentresprovide informationaboutsocial,health,governmentandothercommunityser-vices.Thesecentrescanhelpyoufindfreeservicesinyourarea.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION CENTRES

Important: Make use of the free services available to you. Ask questions and always check with your immigrant-serving agency to make sure you have accurate information.

•Settlement.org:www.settlement.org


•211Ontario:www.211ontario.ca


EX

ER

CIS

E

To find your local Community Information Centre

What questions do you have about programs and services for newcomers? Write down your questions and speak to your immigrant-serving agency to get the help you need.

Useful Websites

Question Answer

EX

ER

CIS

E

1.OpentheBluePagesofaphonebook2.Findasectiontitled“CommunityInformation”3.Lookfor“CommunityInformationCentre”andwritedownthephonenumberlisted:

211Ontarioprovidesaccesstoabroadrangeofcommunity re-sources,social,healthandrelatedgovernmentservices.211 isafreeservice,availableonwww.211Ontario.ca.Inmanyareas,youcanalsodial2-1-1onyourphonetospeaktoaninformationspecialist.

211 ONTARIO

Ontarioimmigration.ca is a website provided by the OntarioMinistry of Citizenship and Immigration. This service helpsnewcomersfinduseful informationabout living,working,doingbusinessandstudyinginOntario.

ONTARIOIMMIGRATION.CA

Settlement.orgisawebsitefornewcomerstoOntario,providedby the Governments of Canada and Ontario. Settlement.orgcanhelp you learn about availableprogramsand services, findinformation in your language, and connect with others in yourcommunity.

SETTLEMENT.ORG

When you arrive in Ontario, you will need to find a place to live. You will also need to learnabout health care, transportation, banking and other important matters. This section providesbasic information to help you get started. Your first few months in Ontario may not beeasy, but there are many resources and types of support available to help you. Contactyour local immigrant-serving agency as soon as you arrive for help with your settlement.For more information, visit www.settlement.org and click on “First Days” at the top to download the First Days

Guide.

Findingaplacetoliveisoneofthefirstthingsyouwillneed to do after you arrive in Ontario. You may needto find temporary housing while you look for a morepermanent place to live. Temporary housing may beavailable at an apartment hotel, travel hostel, bed-and-breakfastorstudentresidenceinauniversityorcollege.There may also be emergency shelters available forshort-term accommodation when none of these otheroptionsisavailable.

If you arrive at Toronto’s Pearson International Airportwithoutaplacetostay,lookfortheImmigrantReceptionand Information Services (IRIS) or call 905-672-3660.

Youcanalsocontactanyofthelocal immigrant-servingagenciesforhelpwithhousing.Theseagenciescanreferyou to Housing Help Centres in your area and provideyouwithinformationabouthousingoptions.

Housing costs vary across Ontario. Usually, housingcostsarehigherinlargercitieslikeTorontoandlowerinsmallercities,townsandruralareas.Housingcostscanalsovarywidelywithinthesamecity,dependingonsize,condition,typeandneighbourhood.

For detailed information about housing options, visit www.ontarioimmigration.ca or www.settlement.org

HOUSING


Getting Started in Ontario

PART 5

Many newcomers rent an apartment, house orcondominiumastheirfirstpermanenthomeinOntario.Whenyourent,youbecomeatenant.Thepersonorcompanyowningtherentalpropertyisthelandlord.Youhavetopayrenttoyourlandlord.Tenantsandlandlordsbothhaverightsandresponsibilities.Theseareusuallyoutlinedinalease,awrittenagreementbetweenyouandyourlandlord.Rentalagreementsaretypicallyforone year, although month-to-month agreements maybeavailable.


RENTING A HOME

•ThelawinOntariostatesthateveryonemusthaveaworking smokealarmmountedontheceilingoutsideeverysleepingarea. Ifyouliveinamulti-storeyhouse,youshouldhaveasmokealarm oneveryfloor.Itisagainstthelawtodisableasmokealarm.•Ifyouarerentingahome,yourlandlordmustprovideyouwitha workingsmokealarm.•Ifyouownahome,youmustprovideaworkingsmokealarm. Smokealarmsaresoldinmosthardwarestores.

DID

YO

U K

NO

W?

EX

ER

CIS

E

Usethesequestionsasyourchecklistwhenexploringhousingoptions.Someofthequestionsmaynotapplytoyou.Feelfreetoaddotherquestionsthatareimportantforyou.

•Whatisthetotalmonthlycost?•HowfarwillIneedtotraveltowork?•Isthishomelocatednearabusstoporsubwaystation?•Isthishomeclosetoaschool?•Isthereaplacetoparkacar?DoIhavetopayextraforparking?•Istheneighbourhoodsafe?•WillIhavetopayextraforutilities,suchaselectricity,waterandgas?•Istheapartmentbuildingorneighbourhoodquiet?•Howcloseisthishometostores,laundromats,parks,playgrounds,communitycentres,recreationfacilities,medicalclinics,placesofworship,andotherservices?

•

•

•

Housing Checklist

Subsidizedhousingreferstohousingwhererentisbasedonthetenant’sincomeandnotsizeortypeofaccommo-dation.Subsidizedhousingisintendedforpeoplewithlowincomes.MostcitiesinOntariooffersubsidizedhousing,althoughbecauseofdemandmosthavewaitinglists.Ifinterestedinsuchaccommodationyouwillneedtocompleteanapplicationandcheckifyouareeligible.Formoreinformation,speaktoyourlocalimmigrant-servingagency.

SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

You may choose to buy a house, condominium ortownhouse when you arrive in Ontario. Most peopleneed financial help to do this and have to borrowmoney from a bank or another financial institution.Beforebuying ahouse, it is important tounderstandall thecostsofowningahome.Thesecosts includetaxes, utilities, homeowner insurance, maintenanceandotherexpenses.

BUYING A HOME

MostOntariocitiesprovidepublictransportationservicesforresidents.Publictransitsystemsusebusesandmayalso have streetcars, trains or subways. Public transitsystemshaveregularroutes,stopsandschedules.Pub-lic transitcostsaredifferent ineachcity.Tousepublictransit,youwillneedtopaycashorbuytickets,tokensoramonthlypass.

For more information about public transit in your area, contact your local municipality or visit www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/transit.htm. You can also look in the blue pages of your phone book under “Transit” or “Transportation”.


PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Ifyouwanttodrive,youmusthaveavalidOntariodriver’slicense.Ontario’sMinistryofTransportationisresponsiblefor issuinglicensesandregisteringvehicles.TodriveinOntarioyoumustalsohaveautoinsurance.Ifyouownavehicle,youmustregisteritwiththeMinistry.

Formoreinformationaboutdriving,gettingalicense,orregisteringavehicle,callDriverandVehicleLicensingat1-800-387-3445 or visit www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/index.html

DRIVING IN ONTARIO

In an emergency situation call 911 from the nearest available phone. These calls are free.Emergenciescan include fearing foryoursafetyor thesafetyofothers,havingafire inyourhome,orsuddenlyfeelingverysick.Whenyoucall911,explaintotheoperatorwhatishappening,whereyouare,andsayyourname,addressandphonenumber.Dependingonyoursituationambulance,police,firedepartmentorotheremergencyserviceswillbesenttoassistyou.

Mostcitieshavea911service.Ifyourcommunityisnotequippedwith911services,dial0andasktheoperatorforhelp.Otheremergencynumbersarelistedinthewhitepagesofyourlocalphonebook.Makesureyouknowhowtofindthesenumbersquickly.

EMERGENCIES

Ontario has a publicly-funded health care system. TheOntarioHealthInsurancePlan(OHIP)paysformostbasicand emergency medical services for Canadian citizensand permanent residents. OHIP does not pay for allmedicalexpenses.Forexample,medicationsanddentalservicesarenotcoveredbyOHIP.

ToreceivehealthservicesthroughOHIP,youmustapplyforanOHIPcard.YoushouldapplyforanOHIPcardassoonasyouarriveinOntario.Thereisageneralwaitingperiodof3monthstoreceiveyourOHIPcard.Youmaywant tobuyprivatehealth insurancewhileyouwait tobecomeeligibleforOHIP.

ToapplyforanOHIPcard,youmustgotoaServiceOntariooffice.Youwillhaveyourphototaken.Youwillalsohavetofill out a registration formandprovide the followingoriginaldocuments:

•Proofofcitizenshiporpermanentresidencystatus•Proofofresidency,e.g.aleaseagreement•Adocumentthatconfirmsyouridentity

To find the nearest ServiceOntario office, call 1-866-532-3161 or visit www.ontario.ca/en/services_for_residents/STEL02_186323

For information about OHIP and the application process, call the Ontario Health Card Information System at 1-800-664-8988 or visit www.health.gov.on.ca

HEALTH CARE

OHIP

MostOntarioresidentshaveafamilydoctor.Afamilydoctorisusuallythefirstmedicalprofessionalyouseeifyouareillorrequiremedicalhelporadvice.Afamilydoctorwillreferyoutoaspecialistifyourequiremorespecificexpertise.Toseeafamilydoctor,youusuallyhavetoscheduleanappointmentaheadoftime.

InsomepartsofOntario,findingafamilydoctorwhois taking new patients may be difficult. Start lookingforafamilydoctorassoonasyouarrive.Youcanusethe Doctor Search service by calling 1-800-268-7096ext.626, lookintheYellowPagesofthephonebookunder “Physicians”, or search for doctors at www.cpso.on.ca/docsearch/.Youcanalsoaskyourfriendsandrelativesiftheirfamilydoctorsareacceptingnewpatients.


LOOKING FOR A FAMILY DOCTOR

1.Gotothiswebsite:www.ontario.ca2.Scrolldownthepageandclick“ServiceOntarioLocations”under“Contacts”3.Clickon“ServiceOntarioCentres”4.Selectthecitywhereyouliveoronethatisnearesttoyouandclick“go”5.WritedowntheaddressandphonenumberofyournearestServiceOntarioCentrebelow:

Find your nearest ServiceOntario Centre.

Ifyoudonothaveafamilydoctororyourfamilydoctorisnotavailable,andyourequiremedicalattention,youcango toawalk-inclinic.Theseclinicshavedoctorsandnurseswhoprovidemedicalcare.Youdonotneedtomakeanappointment,butyoumighthavetowaitforalongtimetoseeadoctor.Tofindawalk-inclinicinyourarea,lookintheYellowPagesofyourlocalphonebookunder“Clinics-Medical”.

WALK-IN CLINICS

For serious medical emergencies, call 911 for anambulance. If you are able, you can also go to theEmergencyRoomofthenearesthospital.EmergencyRoomsareusuallyopen24hours,7daysaweek.Theemergencyroomisoftenverybusy.Dependingontheurgencyofyourhealthproblemandthethenumberofotherswaiting,youmaybeseenrightawayorhavetowaitforseveralhours.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Ifyouareillandarenotsurewhetheryouneedtoseeadoctororgotoanemergencyroom,callTelehealthOntario toll-freeat1-866-797-0000.Youcanspeak toa registered nurse and get advice about your healthconcern. Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidentialservice,available24hours,7daysaweek.

Important: Always carry your OHIP card with you. Each time you see your family doctor, go to a walk-in clinic or visit an emergency room you will need to show your OHIP card.

TELEHEALTH ONTARIO

ServiceOntarioprovidesaccesstoOntariogovernmentinformationandservicesonline,inperson,andbyphone.ServiceOntariocentresarelocatedin70communitiesacrosstheprovinceandofferassistanceinperson.Theyof-ferservicesrangingfrombirthandmarriagecertificatestoregisteringabusiness.ServiceOntariocanalsohelpyoufindthenearestOHIPoffice,driverandvehiclelicenseoffices,andotherservices.

For more information, call ServiceOntario at 1-800-267-8097 or visit www.ontario.ca

SERVICE ONTARIO

EX

ER

CIS

E


ServiceCanadaprovidesaccesstoawiderangeofGovernmentofCanadaprogramsandservicesonline,inpersonandbyphone.YoucancontactServiceCanadaforinformationaboutapplyingforaSocialInsuranceNumber,CanadaChildTaxBenefit,GST/HSTcredit,employmentinsurance,andmanyotherprogramsandservices.

For more information, call 1-800-622-6232 or visitwww.servicecanada.gc.ca.To find the nearest centre, visitwww.servicecanada.gc.caand click on “Find a Service Canada Centre Near You.”

SERVICE CANADA

TheSocialInsuranceNumber(SIN)isanine-digitnumberthatyouneedtoworkinCanadaorhaveaccesstogovernmentprogramsandbenefits.You should apply for a SIN as soon as you arrive. To apply for a SIN,gotoyournearestServiceCanadacentre.Fora listofdocumentsyouwillneed,visitwww.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin.Ifyouneedhelpwiththeapplication,speaktoyourlocalimmigrant-servingagency.

For more information call Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218 or visitwww.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin

SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER (SIN)

InOntariovirtuallyeverybodyusesbankstodepositandstore money, make bill payments and track finances.Banks have different types of accounts and offerdifferentservices.Toopenabankaccount,youneedtogo to a bank of your choice and speak to a customerservice representative. You will be asked to provideidentificationandpersonalinformation.Youdonotneedtobeemployedtoopenabankaccount.

When you open a bank account, you will receive abankcard.Youcanusethiscardatanautomatedtellermachine(ATM)togetcash,depositcashorcheques,paybills,andmore.ATMsareopen24hoursaday,7daysaweek.TheremaybeafeeforusingATMs.Youcanalsouseyourbankcard tomakepurchasesatmanystoresthroughtheInteracDirectPaymentsystem.

Ifyouneedtoborrowmoney,youcanapplyforcredit.Therearedifferenttypesofcredit,suchascreditcards,lines of credit, installment loans and mortgages. With

all types of credit, you have to pay back the moneyyouborrow,and interest. Interest ratesvarywidely fordifferent types of credit. Use credit wisely and alwaysmakesureyouunderstandtherepaymentterms.

For more information about banking, call the Canadian Bankers Association toll-free at 1-800-263-0231or visit www.cba.ca and click on “Consumer Information”.

BANKING AND FINANCE

Important: Protect your SIN and do not give it to anyone who is not authorized.

Item

Housing(rentormortgage)HomeinsuranceUtilities(electricity,gas,hydro,telephone,water,cable)FoodClothingHouseholditems(cleaningsupplies,toiletries,etc.)Transportation(buspass,carmaintenance,gas,autoinsurance)ChildcareIncidentals(newspapers,gifts,haircuts,bankservicecharges)EntertainmentOtherexpenses

Itisveryimportanttomanageyourmoneywell.Theamountofmoneyyoucanaffordtospendwilldependonyourincome.Itisagoodideatoplanyourexpenseseachmonthbymakingamonthlybudget.Inthetablebelowwritedownyourmonthlyexpensesinthe“MonthlyCost”column.Comparethetotalcostsorexpensestoyourtotalincome.Ifyourexpensesexceedyourincome,youmayneedtochangeyourbudget.Ifyouneedfinancialadvice,speaktoyourlocalimmigrant-servingagency.

Prepare your monthly budget

Monthly Cost ($)

Total =

There are many ways to purchase goods and services in Ontario. Supermarkets sell food and often carry otherhouseholdnecessities.“BigBox”anddepartmentstoressellawidevarietyofnewitemssuchasclothing,furniture,auto parts, sporting goods, electronics and cosmetics. Drug stores sell medications and a variety of householdsupplies.Specialtystoresfocusonspecificproducts,suchasfruitsandvegetables,ethnicfoods,books,hardwareorshoes.Smallconveniencestoressellbasicnecessities,usuallyathigherprices.Manycitiesalsohaveopen-airmarketswhereyoucanbuyfreshproducefromlocalfarmers.

Thereareseveralwaystosavemoneywhenyoushop.UsedgoodsareoftenavailableatreasonablepricesthroughInternetbuyandsellservices.Thriftstoressellusedclothing,furniture,toysandotheritemsatlowprices.Oryoucancheckflyers–printedadvertisementsdistributedforfree–toseewhatproductsareonsale.Ifnecessary,youcanobtainfreefoodatafoodbank.Foradviceonhowtosavemoneyonshoppinginyourarea,speaktoyourlocalimmigrant-servingagency.

SHOPPING

DID

YO

U K

NO

W?


Canada’sFoodGuideprovidesguidelinesandtipsfor making healthy food choices. Canada’s FoodGuideisavailableinmorethan10languages.UsethiswebsitetogetacopyofCanada’sFoodGuide:www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php.

EX

ER

CIS

E


The majority of people in Ontario use a land line tomake and receive calls at home. In most Ontariocitiesandtownsthereareseveraldifferenttelephoneserviceproviders,offeringmanydifferentserviceplans.Optionsaremore limited in rural areas.Typically youwillpayafixedmonthlyfeeforunlimitedlocalcallsandeither a package rate or per-minute charges for longdistancecalls.Youcanalsousephonecardstomakelongdistancecalls,whichmaycostlessinsomecases.Manypeopleusemobilephones (alsoknownascellphones).Cellphonesareconvenient,butcanbeveryexpensiveespeciallyfor longdistanceor internationalcalls.Whatevercombinationof landormobilephoneservice you choose, make sure you fully understandthecontractterms.

TELEPHONE SERVICE

As with phone service, there are many different Internet service options available in Ontario cities and towns,withfeweroptionsinruralareas.InlargercentresInternetserviceisofferedbytelephoneserviceproviders,cabletelevisioncompanies,andothers.YoumayalsobeabletogainInternetaccessusingawirelessconnectioninvarious“hotspots”locatedthroughouttheprovince..

INTERNET SERVICE

CanadaPostisthenationalpostalservice,withofficesineverycityandtownandinmanyruralcentresacrossthecountry.YoucansendandreceivelettersandpackagestoorfromanywhereintheworldusingCanadaPost.Privatecouriercompaniescanalsoprovidethisservice.Thecostofmailingan itemdependsonthesizeandweightofwhatyouaresending,whereyouaresendingit,andhowquicklyyouwantittogetthere.

For more information about Canada Post or to find a local post office, call 1-866-607-6301 or visit http://canadapost.ca

SENDING AND RECEIVING MAIL

GettingtoknowyourcommunitycanmakeiteasiertoadapttoyournewlifeinOntario.Byparticipatingincommunityevents,youwillmeetnewfriends,learnabouttheCanadianculture,andimproveyourlanguageskills.Ontariohasdiverseculturalandrecreationalactivitieshappeningyear-round.

EverycommunityinOntariohascommunityandrecreationprogramsandfacilitiessuchasarenasorswimmingpools.Localcommunitycentresoffermanytypesofactivitiesforchildren,youthandadultsincludingseniorcitizens.Manycitieshaveguidesthatlistalltheprogramsandservicesavailableinthecommunity.Speaktoyourlocalimmigrantservingagencyorcommunity/recreationcentreformoreinformation.

RECREATION AND COMMUNITY

1.Gotothiswebsite:www.settlement.org,andclickon“CommunityandRecreation”2.Clickon“SportsandRecreation”(twice),thenon“WherecanIfindalocalrecreationcentre?”3.Usetheresultingpagetofindarecreationcentrenearyou.4.Dependingonyourarea,youmayseeoneorseveralcentreslisted.Clickonthecentretoviewcontactinformation.5.Writedownthecontactinformationforyourlocalcentre(s)below.

Find your local Community/Recreation Centre

EX

ER

CIS

E


•Settlement.Org:www.settlement.org•OntarioImmigration:www.ontarioimmigration.ca•HealthCanada:www.hc-sc.gc.ca•OntarioMinistryofHealth:www.health.gov.on.ca•OntarioMinistryofTransportation:www.mto.gov.on.ca•ServiceOntario:www.mto.gov.on.ca•ServiceCanada:www.servicecanada.gc.ca

Useful Websites

What questions do you have about getting settled in Ontario? Write down your questions, who you will ask or where you will look for information, and your answers.

EX

ER

CIS

E

Question Whotoask/Wheretolook Answer

Provincialgovernmentsareresponsibleforelementary,secondaryandpostsecondaryeducationin Canada. In Ontario, District School Boards or School Authorities operate publicly-fundedelementaryandsecondaryschools.Youdonotneed topay tuition foryourchildren toattendtheseschools.TherearefoursuchschoolsystemsinOntario:EnglishPublic,EnglishCatholic,FrenchPublicandFrenchCatholic.Notalltypesareavailableinallareas—checkwithyourserviceprovidingorganizationorwiththeMinistryofEducation(webaddressbelow)formoreinformation.Privateorreligiousschools—whereparentspaytuitionfees—arealsoavailable inmanyareas.For more information, visit the Ministry of Education website: www.edu.gov.on.ca

Childcare—also knownasdaycare—canbe licensedorunlicensedinOntario.Licensedchildcareprovidershavetomeetandmaintainspecifichealth,safetyandcaregivertraining standards. Unlicensed childcare arrangementsmayalsobeavailable,butthesearenotregulatedtothesamedegree.

Parents can choose among several childcare options:(1) home-based, (2) centre-based and (3) before-and-

afterschoolchildcare.Manyprogramshavelongwaitinglists.Contactyourlocalchildcareprovidersforinformationabouttheregistrationprocess.

If parents are unable to pay the childcare fees, theymaybeeligibleforachildcarefeesubsidy.Eligibilityforachildcare feesubsidy isbasedonnet family income.Contactyourlocalmunicipalitytodiscussyoureligibilityforachildcarefeesubsidy.

CHILDCARE

For more information, visit the Ministry of Children and Youth Services website: www.gov.on.ca/children or speak to your local newcomer settlement agency.


Education in Ontario

6PART

OntarioEarlyYearsCentresareplaceswherechildrenupto6yearsofagecanplayandlearn.Parentsorcaregiversmust stay with their children while attending an EarlyYearsCentre.ThesecentresarelocatedacrossOntarioand provide playgroup sessions, workshops, usefulinformation and resources. The programs and servicesarefree.

For more information or to find a Centre in your comm-unity, visit the Ontario Early Years Centres website:www.gov.on.ca/children/oeyc or call 1-866-821-7770.

All children between 6 and 18 years of age mustattend school in Ontario. Many begin attending JuniorKindergartenat age4orSeniorKindergartenat age5.Children usually attend school Monday to Friday, fromearlySeptemberuntil lateJune.Forchildren inGrades1through12theschooldayisabout6½hours,usuallybeginningbetween8:30and9:00amandendingbetween3:00and3:30pm.Checkwithyourlocalschoolforexacttimes. Some children take school buses—provided bytheschoolboard—togettoandfromschool.

ElementaryschoolsofferprogramsfromKindergartentoGrade6or8,oftenreferredtoasK-6orK-8respectively.In many areas there are intermediate schools offeringprogramsforGrades7and8only.Secondaryschools,alsocalledhighschools,offerprogramsfromGrade9to12.Certainschoolsoffer special focusprograms, includingFrenchimmersion,artsenrichment,ormathandsciencechallengeprograms.Contactyourlocalschoolboardfordetails.


ONTARIO EARLY YEARS CENTRES

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

AllchildrenattendingschoolinOntariomustbeimmunizedagainstdiphtheria,tetanus,polio,measles,mumpsandrubella.YoumayalsoneedaCertificateofImmunizationandTuberculosisAssessmentforSchoolEntry.

1.Usethiswebsite:www.gov.on.ca/children/oeyc2.Clickon“Locations”atthetop3.Followtheinstructionsgiventosearchforyourlocalcentre4.Writedowntheaddressandphonenumberofyourlocalcentre(theremaybeseveralinyourcommunity)

Find your local Ontario Early Years Centre

DID

YO

U K

NO

W?

EX

ER

CIS

EE

XE

RC

ISE

1.Usethiswebsite:www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/sbinfo2.Clickon“FindaSchoolBoard”3.Followtheinstructionstofindyourlocalschoolboard4.Writedownthename(s)andphonenumber(s)oftheschoolboard(s)listed

Find your local school board

Toregisteryourchildforschool,youwillneedtobringthese:

•Child’sbirthcertificate,baptismalcertificate,registrationofbirthcardorpassport•Child’sOntariohealthcardandimmunizationrecord•Child’simmigrationstatus•Proofofaddress•Proofofguardianshipifthechildunder18isnotlivingwiththeparent

School Registration Checklist

For more information, go to www.settlement.org, click on “Education” then “Newcomers’ Guides to Education”. These guides include articles, videos and handouts on key school topics.

Ontario’suniversitiesandcollegesprovideawiderangeofeducationalprograms,offeredfull-orpart-time.Someinstitutions offer distance or correspondence courses.Generally speaking, colleges provide employment-related training in applied arts and technologies whileuniversities provide a general education in arts andsciences, research opportunities as well as training in

the professions—teaching, medicine, law, engineeringand architecture, for example. Programs, admissionrequirements and fees vary for each postsecondaryinstitution.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities website: www.tcu.gov.on.ca.

It is very important to learn English or French or both languages to adaptto life in Ontario. Language training classes are offered by school boards,communityagencies,collegesanduniversities.Manyclassesare freeandsomeofferchildcareserviceswhileyouattendclass.

Namesofavailablelanguagetrainingprograms:•ESL(English-as-a-SecondLanguage)•FSL(French-as-a-SecondLanguage)•LINC(LanguageInstructionforNewcomerstoCanada)•CLIC(CoursdelanguepourlesimmigrantsauCanada)•ELD(EnglishLiteracyDevelopment)•ELT(EnhancedLanguageTraining)

For more information, speak to your local newcomer settlement agency or visit one of these web sites: www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/learnenglish.asp, or www.settlement.org clicking on “Education” then“EnglishasaSecondLanguage(ESL)”.


POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Ontariohas:•19universitieswww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/postsec/unimap.pdf•24collegesofappliedartsandtechnologywww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/postsec/colmap.pdf•Over500privatecareercolleges

1.Usethiswebsite:www.tcu.gov.on.ca2.Under“PostsecondaryEducation”click“”CollegesofAppliedArtsandTechnology”3.Click“FindaCollege”ontheleft-handtoolbar4.Browsecollegelistingsandwritedownthecollegeslocatedinyourarea5.Repeatsteps1-4tofinduniversitiesandprivatecareercolleges

List the colleges and universities in your community

LANGUAGE TRAINING

CollegesofAppliedArtsandTechnology Universities PrivateCareerColleges

EX

ER

CIS

ED

ID Y

OU

KN

OW

?

•Newcomers’GuidestoEducationinOntario:www.settlement.org/site/ED/GUIDE/

•MinistryofEducation:www.edu.gov.on.ca

•MinistryofChildandYouthServices:www.gov.on.ca/children

•MinistryofTraining,CollegesandUniversities:www.tcu.gov.on.ca

•WorldEducationServicesCanada:www.wes.org/ca


•EvaluatingYourEducationCredentials:www.settlement.org(clickon“Education”,then“LabourMarketInformation”)

Therearemanyoptionsforadultswhowishtotrainforanewjoborupgradetheirskills.HighschooleducationisfreeforOntarioresidents18yearsofageandolderwhowould like to earn a secondary school diploma. Otheradulteducationprogramsgenerally requirepaymentoftuitionfees.

For more information, contact the school board, college or university in your community.


ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

EX

ER

CIS

E

WhatdoIneedtolearn?

What do you need to learn in the near future? Write down your ideas below.

1.

2.

3.

Bywhen?

What questions do you have about Education in Ontario? Write down your questions, who you will ask or where you will look for informa-tion, and your answers.

Useful Websites

Question Whotoask/Wheretolook Answer

EX

ER

CIS

E

Ontariohasadiversifiedeconomy,thelargestinCanada.Theprovinceaccountsforabout40%ofthecountry’sjobs.Mostofthesejobs–about75%–areintheservicesectors,forexamplefinancialservices,healthcare, retail, tourism, realestateandpublicadministration.Thegoodsproducingsectors,suchasmanufacturing,construction,agriculture,forestryandmining,accountforabout25%ofjobs.

LabourmarkettrendsandconditionschangeovertimeandvaryfromoneregionofOntariotoanother.Labourmarketinformationcantellyouwherethejobsareandwhichoccupationsmayhavethebestprospects.

To find local labour market information, speak to your immigrant-serving agency or visit www.labourmarketinformation.ca or www.settlement.org (click on “Employment”, then “Find a Job”, then “Labour Market Information”)

LABOUR MARKET


Business and Working in Ontario

To start working, you will need a Social InsuranceNumber(SIN).ForinformationonhowtoapplyforyourSIN,visitwww.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin.

Dependingonthetypeofwork,youmayalsoneedotherdocuments. For example, you may need educational,tradeorprofessionalcertificates,birthcertificate,proofof permanent residency, driver’s license or a policebackgroundcheck.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR WORK

PART 7

Lookingforworkisajobinitself.Itmaytakesometimetofindworkthatmatchesyourinterests,skillsandsalaryexpectations.Togetstarted,youmighthavetoacceptworkthatmaynotbeideal.Trynottobediscouragedifyoucan’tfindwhatyouwantrightaway.

Toapplyforwork,youwillusuallyneedarésuméandcoverletter.Arésuméshouldprovideanoverviewofyourqualificationsandexperience.Acoverlettershouldintroduceyoutothepotentialemployerandexplainwhyyouareasuitablecandidateforthejob.Forhelpwithcreatingrésumésandcoverletters,visityourlocalEmploymentResourceCentreorspeaktoyourimmigrant-servingagency.


LOOKING FOR WORK

EX

ER

CIS

E 1.Gotothiswebsite:www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario2.Scrolldownandclickon“I’mnewtoOntario”or“Ineedajob”3.Readthe“Here’sHow”sectiontolearnabouttheserviceofferings4.Clickonthelinksthatinterestyoutolearnmore5.FindEmploymentOntarioservicesinyourareahere:www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/search.asp?chosen=15

YoucanalsocalltheEmploymentOntariohotlinetoll-freeat1-800-387-5656.

Learn about Employment Ontario - What services are available to you?

Employment Ontario is a government program thatprovides free employment and training services forjobseekers.Theseservicescanhelpyoumakecareerdecisions,lookforwork,findlabourmarketinformation,applyfortraining,andgainnewskillsandworkexperience.Employment Ontario centres are located across theprovince.Specializedservicesforyouth,immigrantsandpeoplewithdisabilitiesarealsoavailable.

For more information, speak to your local immigrant-serving agency and visit www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario or call Employment Ontario Hotline at 1-800-387-5656

EMPLOYMENT ONTARIO

•EmploymentResourceCentres (anEmploymentOntarioservice)•EmploymentorPlacementAgencies (lookunder“Employment”inYellowPages)•JobBankwww.jobbank.gc.ca•FederalPublicServiceJobs http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca•OntarioPublicServiceJobs www.gojobs.gov.on.ca•OtherJobSiteshttp://www.settlement. org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000253•CompanyWebsites(lookfor“employment”, “careers”or“jobs”sections)•Newspapers(lookin“Classifieds” or“HelpWanted”sections)•“HelpWanted”signsinstoresandrestaurants

WHERE TO LOOK FOR WORK

•LearntospeakEnglishorFrenchorboth•Network(meetnewpeopleandtalkto peopleyouknowtoexploreopportunities)•Meetwithanemploymentcounsellor•Attendjobsearchworkshops•Seekamentor•Volunteer(it’sagreatwayto networkandgainexperience)•Researchpotentialemployers•Customizeyourcoverletterandrésuméforeachjob•Makesureyourrésuméand coverletterareerror-free•Practiceansweringtypicalinterviewquestions•ObtainCanadianequivalencyfor internationalcredentials•Bepersistentandtrytokeepapositiveattitude

JOB SEARCH TIPS


ItisimportanttofindouthowthetrainingyoureceivedoutsideofCanadaisrecognizedinOntario.Thisinformationwillberequiredwhenyouapplyforwork,furtherstudyorprofessionallicense.WorldEducationServices,fundedbytheGovernmentsofCanadaandOntario,helpsnewcomersevaluatetheirinternationaleducationcredentials.

For more information, visit these websites:•www.wes.org/ca•http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/academic.asp •http://www.settlement.org, clicking on “Education” then “Evaluate My Credentials”

FOREIGN EDUCATION CREDENTIALS

Writedownthenamesofthreepeoplewhomyoucanaskforjobsearchsupportoradvice:

Start Networking

EX

ER

CIS

E

Name: ContactInformation:

InOntario,certainprofessionsandtradesareregulated,includingteachers,doctors,nurses,engineers,accountants,lawyers,electriciansandmanyothers.Toworkinaregulatedprofessionortrade,youmustberegisteredwiththeappropriateregulatorybody.

GlobalExperienceOntario(GEO)andotherimmigrantservingagencieshelpinternationallytrainedindividualsfindouthowtoqualifyforprofessionalpracticeinOntario.Thesecentresoffervariousservices,including:

•Contactinformationandreferralstoregulatorybodies•Linkstoeducationandassessmentprograms•Informationaboutlicensure,registration, internships,mentorships•Careermapsforalmost40occupationsandtrades

REGULATED PROFESSIONS

Through the free services offered at HealthForceOntario’s Access Centre for Internationally Educated HealthProfessionals, newcomers can learn how to qualify for professional practice in Ontario’s regulated health careprofessions.Formoreinformation,calltoll-free1-800-596-4046orvisitwww.healthforceontario.ca.

FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

HealthForceOntario

For more information, call toll-free 1-866-670-4094 or go to www.ontarioimmigration.ca and click “Global Experience Ontario”.

TheCentrefortheEvaluationofHealthProfessionalsEducatedAbroad(CEHPEA)isanindependentnot-for-profitorganizationthatprovidesevaluationandorientationprogramstointernationallyeducatedhealthprofessionals.Forinformationabouttheassessmentprocessandtypesofassessmentsavailable,visitwww.cehpea.ca.


CEHPEA

InCanada,thereareprovincialandfederallabourlawsdesignedtoprotectworkersandemployers.Theselawssetminimumwagelevels,healthandsafetystandards,andestablishrulesforhoursofwork,maternityleave,annualpaidvacation,terminationofworkandothermatters.Theyalsoprovideprotectionforyoungworkers.Humanrights lawsprotectemployeesfromunfair treatmentbyemployersbasedonage,sex,race,religion,disabilityorsexualorientation.

The Employment Standards Act (ESA) is a law that sets minimum standards forworkplacesinOntario.MostemployeesandemployersinOntarioarecoveredbytheESA.However,theESAdoesnotcoveremployeesinfederaljurisdictionandpersonsinafewotherspecialcategories.

Employers cannot intimidate, fire, suspend,or otherwisepunish anemployee, orthreatenanyof theseactionsbecause theemployeeasks fororasksabout theirrights.

For more information about the ESA, call the Employment Standards Information Centre toll-free 1-800-531-5551 or visit www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/index.html

YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

GETTING WORK EXPERIENCE

HavingCanadianworkexperiencewillimproveyourchancesoffindingajob.TheCareerBridgeprogramisdesignedtohelpinternationallytrainedprofessionalsobtainCanadianworkexperiencethroughpaidinternships.Placementslastingfor4,6,9or12monthsmaybeavailableinarangeofnon-regulatedprofessions.

TheOntarioPublicService(OPS)offersinternshipsthroughCareerBridgesothatskilledimmigrantsgainprovincialgovernmentworkexperience.Placementsmaybeavailableinarangeoffieldsincludingfinance,chemistry,businessadministration,communicationsandenvironmentalstudies.CandidatesmustbeeligibletoapplytotheCareerBridgeprogram.

For more information, call (416) 977-3343 or visit www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/working/internship

INTERNSHIPS

Bridge training programs help qualified internationally trained professionals and trades people get the skills andknowledgetheyneedtopracticeinOntario.TheseprogramsprovidetrainingandCanadianworkplaceexperiencewithoutduplicatingwhatyouhavealreadylearned.Bridgetrainingprogramsareofferedinmorethan100regulatedandnon-regulatedtradesandprofessions.

For more information, visit www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/bridge.asp

BRIDGE TRAINING PROGRAMS


Employersmustpaytheiremployeesonaregular,recurringpayday.Employerstypicallypaytheirworkersweekly,everytwoweeks,orsemi-monthly.Youmaybepaidbydirectdeposittoyourbankaccount,bychequeorsometimesincash.

Employeesmustbegivenastatementshowingtheirwagesanddeductionsforeachperiod.Deductionsfromyourpaymayincludefederalandprovincialtaxes,CanadaPensionPlancontributions,EmploymentInsurancecontributions,benefitplancontributionsanduniondues.

Canadianlawrequiresthatyoufileataxreturneachyear,andreportallincome,includingcashincomeandincomefromoverseas.Taxreturnsarefiledinlatewinterorearlyspring,andaredueApril30th.MostemployeesreceivearefundfromtheGovernmentafterfilingataxreturn.

For more information about payroll deductions and taxes, visit these websites: MinistryofLabour:www.labour.gov.on.ca CanadaRevenueAgency:www.cra-arc.gc.ca

YOUR PAYCHEQUE

Smallandmedium-sizedenterprises(SMEs)areavitalpartofOntario’seconomy.About99%ofallbusinessesinOntarioareconsideredsmall-andmedium-sized.Theyemploynearly2.9millionpeopleandaccountfor$250billioninannualeconomicactivity.Therearemanygovernmentsponsoredprogramsandservicesdesigned tosupportentrepreneurs.

SmallBusinessEnterpriseCentres,locatedacrossOntario,provideinformation,adviceandsupportforstart-upandsmallenterprisesduringtheirinitialyearsofoperation.Entrepreneurscanaccessbusinessconsultingservicesandinformationaboutmanagement,marketing,technologyandfinancing.

For more information or to find your local Small Business Enterprise Centre, call toll-free 1-800-567-2345 or visit http://www.ontariocanada.com/ontcan/1medt/smallbiz/en/sb_sbec_locations_info_en.jsp

CanadaBusinessServiceCentres,locatedineveryprovinceandterritory,provideassistanceandaccesstobusiness-relatedpublications,directoriesandelectronicdatabases.CanadaBusinessprovides informationaboutstartingabusiness,financing,taxes,licensesandpermits,exporting,importing,e-business,businessmanagementandothertopics.

For more information call toll-free 1-888-576-4444 or visit www.canadabusiness.ca

STARTING A BUSINESS

Measure Your Entrepreneurial Potential!

1.Gotothiswebsite:www.bdc.ca/en/business_tools2.Clickon“Entrepreneurialself-assessment”3.Click“Continue”tocompletethisfreeonlineassessment4.Reflectontheresultsanddiscussthemwithothers •Doyouagreeordisagreewiththeresults? •Whatotherinformationdoyouneedtodecideifself-employmentisforyou?

EX

ER

CIS

E


•Settlement.Org–Employment:www.settlement.org(clickon“Employment”)•OntarioImmigration–Working:www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/how_work.asp•EmploymentOntario:www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario•GlobalExperienceOntario(GEO):www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/geo.asp•MinistryofLabour:www.labour.gov.on.ca•CanadaRevenueAgency:www.cra-arc.gc.ca•WorldEducationServicesCanada:www.wes.org/ca•EvaluatingYourEducationCredentials:www.settlement.org(clickon“Education”then“EvaluateMyCredentials”)•CareerBridge:www.careerbridge.ca•BridgeTrainingPrograms:www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/bridge.asp•CanadaBusiness:www.canadabusiness.ca

Useful Websites

Funding provided by: Video and project management by: Print concept, design and text by:

www.focusfit.com www.inspireddesign.ca

CREDITS

www.stonehaven.ca

ontario day to day - settlement.org€¦ · ontario day to day 4 workbook 2010 useful suggestions...

Documents