Moving to Canada
Are you a newcomer to Canada? Do you know someone planning to move to Canada? Immigrating to a new country can be both exciting and challenging. To help with this process, we have created a short guide of 5 basic things you need to know when moving to Canada.
1. Weather
Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world, measuring nearly 10 million square kilometers. The United Kingdom would fit into Canada over 40 times! It would take you four years to walk its coastline! This vast geographical area means that we experience a wide range of weather. For the most part, Canada has long, cold winters and short, warm summers. It’s much colder in the north, and predominantly rainy on the west coast.
If you’re coming from a warm climate, the frigid Canadian winters are sure to surprise you. With temperatures sometimes reaching -30 °C, we recommend doing some research on how to stay warm—check out our last blog post: A Newcomers Guide to Canadian Winters.
2. Language
One official language was not enough for Canada, so English and French are both designated as official languages. French is predominantly spoken in Quebec.
Language skills are one of the keys to unlocking opportunities in your new country. It will help with school, employment, making social connections, and much more. Upon arrival, we recommend starting with a Language Assessment to determine your level of English or French. After the assessment, you will receive referrals to English courses across the city of London.
Want to practice English or French in your free time? Reading books, watching TV shows, and attending our free English Conversational Circles will help.
3. HealthCare
Canada has a universal healthcare system that is paid through our taxes. Each province and territory has its own health insurance plan that provides free basic healthcare services to its residents. Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident can apply for public health insurance. Keep in mind that certain things like prescription medication, dental care, eyeglasses, wheelchairs, nursing services, etc., may not be covered.
4. Connect With Your New Community
Moving to a new country can be even more difficult when you don’t know anyone. Making connections, forming friendships, and getting involved in your community are great ways to feel at home. The CCLC offers programs that will connect you with other newcomers as well as long-term London residents. For our full list of our upcoming programming, visit our events page. The CCLC also provides wraparound settlement services to help you succeed in your new community.
5. Employment
Before starting your employment journey, you must obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This nine-digit number can be obtained online, by mail, or by applying in person at a Service Canada office. Visit this government website to determine what information you will need to provide in your SIN application.
Canada is a multicultural country that welcomes global talents. It has job opportunities in a variety of industries such as customer service, oil, banking, manufacturing, and construction, to name a few. As a professional moving to Canada, you bring valuable skills and knowledge to our workforce. Visit our Employment Services page to learn about how we help newcomers as you succeed in the Canadian labour market.
Moving to a new country can be overwhelming. However, you are not alone. The CCLC is here to guide you through our journey. Please feel free to contact us or visit our centre at 505 Dundas Street.