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Settlement in Canada - Quick Guide
There are many things that future Canadian immigrants can do to prepare themselves for a new life in Canada, and many ways that current Canadian immigrants can better establish themselves in their new home. In this Settlement in Canada - Quick Guide, we'll go through a list of things to consider for your new life in Canada.

Before you leave for Canada...

No matter who you are or where you're from, settling in a new country can be overwhelming. By doing your research and preparing a Canadian Settlement Plan ahead of time, you can reduce a lot of the stress associated with resettlement in a new country.

Take control of your settlement now. Here are a few things to consider before you make your move to Canada:
Look for a job in your intended destination in Canada
Finding work in Canada is one of the key elements to a successful settlement. If you can line up a job before you arrive, you'll be able to integrate into the work force quickly upon arrival, which will help you feel settled in. It'll also be one less thing to worry about once you arrive. It won't be possible for everyone, but the more you learn about work in Canada ahead of time, the more prepared you'll be when you arrive.
  • Apply for jobs online - There are thousands of available job opportunities in Canada that you can apply for online. In the LoonLounge Job Search Tool, you can search for jobs by occupation and location. You can submit your resume and apply for these jobs directly online. And remember - if you secure a job offer from a Canadian employer, you may be able to fast-track your immigration application.
  • Have your documents translated - Make sure that your resume is in either English or French (depending on what the employer requests) and that you have tailored your resume, if necessary, to suit the Canadian job market. It's also a good idea to have your education and work experience documents translated into either English or French.
  • Learn about credential requirements - In order to get a job in your occupation in Canada, you may need to obtain further training and accreditation. You may also need to have your education and work experience credentials assessed so that a Canadian employer can compare your qualifications to Canadian-obtained credentials. Is your occupation regulated in the province/territory where you intend to reside? If so, you may need to register with the provincial/territorial body. Read up about credential requirements on the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website (www.cicic.ca).
Prepare for life in your new community
Two of the most significant elements to consider for proper settlement into your new community are housing and education for your children (if any). The more you learn and prepare for your new community, the easier your transition into Canadian society will be.
  • Learn about housing options in the area where you intend to reside - Check out Canadian housing listings online through classifieds and real estate agent websites to get an idea about what the market prices are and what style of home you would like. Most newcomers start off in temporary homes or hotels before they find a house or apartment to buy or rent. Learn more about Housing Options in Canada
  • Find the right school for the student(s) (if any) who are accompanying you - You should be able to research schools in your future community on the internet. Contact the school you're interested in to obtain the information you need to make your decisions. Keep in mind that school applications may need to be made ahead of time. Learn more about Canadian schooling for Children
  • Research the health care program in the province where you intend to reside - Health care systems vary across provinces/territories. In certain provinces, there is a 3 month delay before Permanent Residents are covered by medicare; in others, international students are not covered by universal health care. Find out ahead of time to avoid surprises.
  • Learn about the climate in your new community - The spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons in Canada reveal themselves differently throughout the country, with temperatures varying widely across seasons. Prepare yourself for the climate and season in which you intend to land. In winter, you'll need a warm coat - in summer, sandals will do just fine! Click here for a chart of the average temperatures in summer and winter in major cities in Canada
  • Get in touch with immigrant-serving organizations in your area - There are plenty of cultural and community organizations that help ease immigrant settlement. Get in touch with them ahead of time to see if they have any pre-arrival advice for you. Some are government funded organizations and programs; others are not-for-profit grassroots organizations. Many are listed on the Canadian Organization Directory. If you arrive in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver, you will find reception services for new immigrants at the airport. These are run by immigrant-serving organizations and are offered in several languages.
  • Prepare yourself for landing and going through Customs & Immigration Canada - Arrange for a place to stay upon arrival ahead of time so that once you leave the airport, you have a place to go to for a rest. Make sure you have your status documents and your passport with you (not checked in your luggage) when you arrive at Canadian Customs & Immigration, as well as status documents and passports for each family member traveling with you. Depending on your situation, you may need additional documents (refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website).

During your first few days...

Once you've made it through Canadian Customs and Immigration and had a good night's sleep, here are a few things that you should sort out during your first few days in Canada:
  • Visit immigrant-serving organizations in your area - That's what they're there for. They want to help you make your way - find a job, make connections in the community, help you orient yourself in your neighbourhood, provide you with access to language training (if necessary). They will also be able to answer your questions and advise you as to what to do next. Many can provide you with internet access or can refer you to libraries or internet cafés. Search for immigrant-serving organizations in your area in the Canadian Organization Directory.
  • Apply for health care coverage - The application process differs across provinces/territories. Ask representatives at immigrant-serving organizations or refer to government websites for an explanation of the steps to take to obtain health coverage for you and accompanying family (if any).
  • Apply for a Social Insurance Number - Canadian employers will ask for this number when they hire you. You can obtain more information on the Service Canada website and apply at any Service Canada centre.
  • Set up a bank account - Visit a financial institution to discuss your banking options.

Setting yourself up in Canada...

You won't be able to plan everything before you arrive. Certain things you may only be able to do once you're in Canada. But don't delay - the faster you set yourself up, the sooner you'll feel settled and established.
  • If you haven't yet found yourself a job, don't delay - You may need to have your credentials assessed and you may need to get some additional training in Canada before you can start to work in your field. Make sure you have an updated resume in English and/or French, tailored for the Canadian job market. Apply for jobs, network, and put yourself out there. There are plenty of available job opportunities.
  • Find yourself a home - Many immigrants start off in a temporary residence and then transition to their first home. Search through housing listings in newspaper or online classifieds or hire a real estate agent to show you around the market. Learn More about Canadian Housing Options
  • Visit the local schools if there are students in your family - For young newcomers to transition well into Canadian society, it is important that they get started in a school where they feel comfortable as soon as possible. Research schools in your area and arrange visits with school representatives.
  • Brush up on your English and/or French (if necessary) - Language courses are available to recent immigrants across the country. Refer to government websites or ask representatives at immigrant-serving organizations about the services available in your province and how to access them.
  • Get your driver's license - If you intend to drive around your new area, you'll need to get a government-issued driver's license. Refer to government websites or ask representatives at immigrant-serving organizations about how to obtain your driver's license.

Housing Options in Canada

When you first arrive in Canada, it is a good idea to rent a place to live until you are financially secure and have decided on a neighbourhood you wish to settle in.

You will need somewhere to stay when you first arrive. Possible options include:
  • A hotel room
  • A short-term apartment rental
  • The home of family or friends who already live here
  • A host or sponsor who has volunteered to house newcomers
The advantage of staying with others is that they can help you learn about life in Canada while you find a place of your own.
Remember that it can take time to find the right place to live. It requires research, work and patience.
Be prepared financially to support yourself until you find appropriate housing. Experts agree that you should expect to spend approximately 35% of your income on shelter costs (housing and utilities). Unless you are prepared to make sacrifices in other areas of your life, it is not be advisable to spend more than 35% of your income on housing.
When you are looking for a place to live, it will be important that you are familiar with the multiple types of housing in Canada:
  • Apartment - a self-contained, single-family unit in a building or house. Most apartments have one, two or three bedrooms; "bachelor" or "studio" apartments have a single living area that serves as a bedroom, kitchen and living room, with an attached bathroom. Bachelor or studio apartments are generally only rented to single individuals.
  • Duplex or triplex - a house that is divided into two units is a duplex. Divided into three, it's called a triplex.
  • Townhouses, or Row Houses - Three or more units are built side-by-side and share adjoining walls. Good for families.
  • Rooms - Large homes are sometimes divided into several private bedrooms that are rented to individuals, with a common, shared kitchen and bathroom. Affordable for students and singles.
Looking for a Place to Live
There are many places to search for housing, even before you arrive:
  • Newspaper classified ads
  • On websites such as craigslist or Realtor.ca
  • By walking or driving around the neighbourhood where you would like to live. Many landlords put a "For Rent" sign on their property
  • Students are often provided housing from the college or university they will be attending, or directed on student housing listings
  • Employer's may be able to help you with your job search
  • Asking advice from LoonLounge members in your Location/Destination in Canada community!
Tips when Renting an Apartment
Do not rent an apartment unless it fulfills these basic requirements:
  • The unit has its own bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower or bath, with hot and cold running water
  • The unit has its own kitchen area with hot and cold running water, shelves or cupboards, a refrigerator and a stove or cook top
  • An entry door with a lock
When you find an apartment you would like to rent, the landlord may ask you to complete a form asking for personal information in order to do a credit check. You will be required to sign a legal contract called a lease, which is a commitment to stay in the apartment and pay the agreed upon rent for the duration of the lease (generally 1 year). Be prepared to pay for the first month in advance if required. Many apartments, especially those that come with furnishings, require a security deposit to be paid in advance as well.
Buying your own home in Canada
Many people in Canada own their homes. Home ownership is a good investment for those who can afford it.
Prices, both for renting and buying, differ dramatically depending on where you live, the size of the home and the services. Many factors determine this cost, including:
  • Location - Which province you choose to live in, and whether you live in the city or a rural area will make a difference in the cost of a home. For example, a home in Vancouver, British Columbia, will be more expensive than a comparable home in rural New Brunswick.
  • Amenities - Homes in established neighbourhoods that are near schools, parks, places of worship and public transportation will cost more. Living in cities is often more expensive than living in the suburbs, towns and villages outside of a major city which have the same amenities as city life. Suburbs are increasingly popular destinations for families because of the affordable cost of living.
  • Size - The size of a home and the land it sits on affects the cost of purchase and maintenance of the property. House sizes are given in square feet (or metres), and lot sizes are given by "frontage", the linear distance along the front of the property, and the properties depth in metres or feet.
  • Condition - Homes that need repairs or upgrades, for example a new roof or heating system, are likely to cost less than new homes or those that have been recently renovated. Be cautious when buying a home that requires many upgrades. It is important to factor the cost of these upgrades into the total cost of the home.
See the Virtual Canada Explorer to learn about the average cost of housing in different cities across Canada. Be sure to responsibly choose housing that you can afford.
There are multiple types of housing options for those looking to purchase:
  • Detached Houses - Detached homes are single structures situated on their own lot. They come in a variety of styles of one or more levels, often with multiple bedrooms.
  • Semi-detached Houses - called "semis," these homes are attached to another, similar home on one side with a common wall that divides them.
  • Townhouses or Row houses - these homes are connected on both sides to similar homes
  • Condominiums - called "condos", these homes come in multiple forms as townhouses or units within a low-rise or high-rise building. Condo owners own the unit itself, and not the surrounding grounds or common areas of the building. Owners each pay monthly fee which provides for the maintenance of the common areas and other possible features of the complex like a swimming pool or fitness facilities.
Purchasing a Home
The average price for a residential home in 2007 was $280,000. This can be expensive for most people. To make home ownership possible, many people pay what they can towards the total cost of a home and borrow the remaining money from a bank. This bank loan is called a mortgage. Mortgages are paid back to the bank on a monthly basis. The Virtual Canada Explorer will show you average cost of a home in every province and multiple cities in Canada. As soon as you arrive in Canada and open a bank account, inquire about obtaining a mortgage for your first home.
It is recommended that you hire a licensed real estate agent or broker to help you purchase a home in Canada. A licensed realtor will be able to guide you through the process, making your first purchase less stressful for you. There are multiple websites that can help you learn more about purchasing a home in Canada and finding a real estate agent to work with:
http://www.realtors.ca will help you understand why you should hire a licensed realtor and where to find one.

Schooling for Children

Children between the ages of six and sixteen must attend school in Canada. Schooling is provided without charge for all residents of Canada. Private schooling options exist, but charge with a yearly tuition fee.
Most children begin school at age 4, with part time schooling called Kindergarten. Elementary school generally runs between grades 1 to 8, and Secondary, or "high school" between 9 and 12 (though some provincial and private institution variations exist).The school year runs from September to June, five days a week, for generally six hours a day. Lunches and snacks must be brought from home or purchased at the school cafeteria.
What type of School is best for your child?
There are multiple types of schooling available for your children in Canada:
  • Public - The public school system in Canada is free. Children are not required to wear uniforms.
  • Separate - The separate school system is also free. There is a religious Catholic education component involved in its curriculum. Some separate schools require the students to wear uniforms.
  • Private - Private schools charge tuition fees, and can be expensive. Some offer a specialized curriculum based on language, religion or academic ability. Uniforms are required at some private schools.
  • Home schooling - Parents can choose to teach their children at home, but they are expected to meet the same standards and follow the requirements of the public system.
It is important to learn about enrolment as soon as you arrive in Canada. This may need to be done in advance of the school year, and will require identification documents and health records. Contact your local provincial/territorial Ministry of Education by following the below links to find out more.
Postsecondary Education
After high school, many students apply to continue their education at a college or university. Postsecondary education in Canada can be a large expense for many people. However, bursaries, scholarships and financing are available.
Different Types of Post-Secondary Educational Institutions:
  • Universities grant undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees in academic areas.
  • Colleges generally offer vocational-based education and grant certificates or diplomas.
  • Career colleges usually focus on one area (such as information technology) and may be privately owned but still need to be certified to grant credentials.
More information on postsecondary education in Canada:

Your Future in Canada

After you have established yourself in Canada, you should begin thinking about your future. For example, many people wish to sponsor a family member to join them as a permanent resident in Canada, or begin saving money in preparation for their retirement.
Learn about the family sponsorship immigration program here. Confused? Ask questions in the sponsorship forum.
It is advisable to speak to a bank representative and your employer about retirement. Many employers offer retirement packages, and the Canadian banking system allows for Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP's) among other banking products to ensure that you are prepared financially to retire in your future.

Settlement Plan Checklist

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