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Questions
& Answers about settling in Canada
How do I find out about international educational assessment services in Canada? How do I find key information sources which may be useful to me as a newcomer? How do I find help in my community? How does Canada help newcomers adjust to living in Canada? How do I enroll in language classes? How do I get a Social Insurance Number? How do I go about finding a job? What is the taxation system in Canada? How much do I have to pay in taxes? What are they for? Where can I get information on Canadian political parties and members? What types of child care services are available? How do I enroll children in school? What types of schooling are available? Where can I get information on vaccinations and immunizations? What does Canadian citizenship mean? How can I become a Canadian citizen?  |
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Q: How do I find out about international educational assessment services in Canada? A: In Canada, education is a provincial responsibility. While there is no central service for the assessment of education for all of Canada, services are available in some provinces. For a fee, these services will provide individuals with an assessment report of their foreign educational credentials. These assessments are mainly used to help employers understand how education from another country compares to education in a Canadian province. For more information, please visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada's publication Fact Sheet: International Educational Assessment Services in Canada. Q: How do I find key information sources which may be helpful to me as a newcomer? A: The CIC's pamphlet lists federal and provincial government phone numbers and Internet addresses, which may be helpful to you as a newcomer to Canada. It also lists other useful numbers, such as the Business Development Bank and various national accreditation services. Since Quebec looks after many aspects of its immigration program, this pamphlet does not attempt to cover services in that province. However, it does list the phone numbers for the ministère des Relations avec les citoyens et de l'Immigration, which offers many services to newcomers in Quebec. If you are living in, or planning to move to Quebec, you may wish to pick up their guide for newcomers, entitled: Bienvenue au QUÉBEC ! A: There are many organizations which provide services designed for newcomers to Canada. In fact, your local immigrant serving organization should be your first point of contact. Many of these organizations across the country are listed in CIC's publication "Welcome to Canada". Q: How does Canada help newcomers adjust to living in Canada? A: Citizenship and Immigration Canada offers programs and services to help newly arrived immigrants adapt and settle in Canada. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec is responsible for settlement and integration services inside its jurisdiction. As a result of Settlement Renewal, the provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba have assumed responsibility for the administration and delivery of settlement programming and services. Up-to-date details may be obtained by contacting a CIC Call Centre. Programs and services are a bridge to help newcomers adapt, normally during their first year in Canada. They help new arrivals to become self-reliant, participating members of Canadian society as quickly as possible. They also help Canadians understand the immigration, settlement and integration process. Local Immigration offices provide interested organizations and agencies with information about immigrants and immigration. A: Several community groups and some local boards of eucation provide classes in English or French as a Second Language, popularly known as ESL or FSL. ESL or FSL classes are open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants whose first language is not English or French. Citizenship and Immigration gives money to community organizations that help newcomers settle into their new community. Some of these organizations provide language training for newcomers through the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. The language training through LINC is free and available to all adult immigrants who are permanent residents of Canada. Canadian citizens and refugees are not eligible for this training. In many cases, child-minding is available while the parent is attending the language classes. For a list of LINC assessment centres please refer to the pamphlet, Language Training, which is published in CIC's document Welcome to Canada. Q: How do I get a Social Insurance Number? A: To get a Social Insurance Number (SIN), go to the nearest Human Resources Centre (HRC). An application form must be filled out and original (not photocopied) passports and immigration record of landing documents must be presented. A second piece of identification is also necessary. Applicants are assigned a temporary SIN until they receive their SIN card through the mail. There is no charge for this card. To find the location of the nearest HRC, look in the blue pages of the telephone directory, under "Government of Canada," then under "Human Resources Development Canada." Your local Human Resource Centre is a good place to start looking for a job. The Canadian government operates HRCs throughout Canada. HRCs have computer-listed jobs and information on how to apply for them. You can get helpful advice on employment training, preparing a resum to the Canadian job market, and ways to promote yourself. HRCs also manage the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE), an Internet site that matches jobs to people and people to jobs. Employers use the exchange to advertise a job and you can use it to advertise your skills to thousands of potential employers. You may also be able to access the Internet free of charge at some HRCs. The "Worksearch" Internet site is an easy-to-use site and can help you with all aspects of looking for work. On the Internet, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) Job Banks provides a free listing of available jobs, for both employers and job seekers. Web site: http://jb-ge.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/ On the Electronic Labour Exchange Web Site, work seekers can advertise their skills to a wide array of potential employers by creating a profile of their skills and abilities. It is a free service, accessible 24 hours a day. Web site: http://www.ele-spe.org Labour Market Information provides information on local labour markets across Canada to help job seekers search for work and make general employment, training and career decisions. Web site: http://lmi-imt.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca Worksearch is an easy-to-use site that can help you with all aspects of looking for work. Web site: http://www.worksearch.gc.ca/ Using the Newspaper and Other Resources Many jobs are listed in newspapers. Look in the classified advertisements section under "Help Wanted" and "Careers." There may also be a separate career section in the weekend paper. The library has books on how to find a job or write a resume, and often has directories of businesses across Canada or in your area to help you find information about potential employers. The "periodical" section of the library will also have copies of various weekly newspapers that provide up-to-date listings of jobs across Canada. You can also access the Internet at most public libraries. Ask for more information at the library's reference desk. Networking is also a popular way of finding a job in Canada. This means contacting all the people you know, including your friends and relatives, and letting them know you are looking for work. This may help you to find a job that may not be advertised anywhere. Job finding clubs run by immigrant serving organizations may also be useful. Private job placement agencies may be able to help you find temporary or contract work. These are listed in the yellow pages of the phone book. Look under "Employment Agencies." General Information The Canadian tax system is a complex system of measures to collect money from people and businesses to finance the activities of the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government. Federal and provincial taxes are usually collected together when people file their yearly income tax return. This determines whether the correct amount of tax has been collected throughout the previous calendar year, resulting in either a refund for the taxpayer (if there has been too much tax paid) or a balance owed to the government. The government charges penalties and interest for late payment of income taxes. The Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Provincial Sales Tax (PST) are paid directly by consumers at the time of purchase. Some items are exempt from certain sales taxes. Property owners pay municipal property taxes to the city, town or municipality in which property is owned, based on provincial statutes. Tenants pay their municipal taxes indirectly, as part of their rent. Business taxes are paid to the municipality in which the companies operate. Canada Customs and Revenue Agency collects federal and some provincial income taxes, goods and services tax (GST) and harmonized sales tax (HST), as well as Canada Pension Plan contributions, Employment Insurance premiums and customs and excise duties. Call the toll-free numbers listed below for information about Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. - General inquiries: 1-800-959-8281 A: Income tax and other taxes are imposed and collected in Canada at the federal, provincial and municipal (city or town) levels. The combined federal and provincial income tax rates for individuals vary from province to province and are based on total annual income. Most provinces impose a retail sales tax on purchases of goods. The tax is added at the point of sale and does not apply to goods purchased for resale. Q: Where can I get information on Canadian political parties and members? A: Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state with a democratic parliament, founded in 1867. The Parliament of Canada, located in Ottawa, consists of the House of Commons, whose members are elected, and the Senate, whose members are appointed. On average, Members of Parliament are elected every four years. Canada is a federal state, with ten largely self-governing provinces and three territories controlled by the central government. The responsibilities of the federal Parliament include national defence, interprovincial and international trade and commerce, immigration, the banking and monetary systems, criminal law and fisheries. The courts have also awarded to the federal Parliament such powers as aeronautics, shipping, railways, telecommunications and atomic energy. The regional or provincial legislatures are responsible for education, property and civil rights, the administration of justice, the hospital system, natural resources within their borders, social security, health and municipal institutions. General information on Canada Web site: http://canada.gc.ca/ A: It is illegal in Canada to leave a child under the age of 12 years alone in a house. If you can afford to hire a babysitter, ask your neighbours or friends for a referral. Many high school students can babysit for you for a minimum wage. There are a few subsidized daycare centres where children may be registered. These subsidized centres, however, often have a long waiting list. Community groups that provide language instruction to newcomers may provide on-site child care, if you are registered in classes with that agency. For information about local child care services, look in the yellow pages directory for "Day Care Centres and Nurseries" or "Social Services Organizations." Q: How do I enroll children in school? A: In Canada, all permanent residents must attend school. However, the age requirement may vary form province to province. Most students continue to attend after the required period and receive a graduation diploma. To enroll a child in school, you generally have to bring the child to the local school along with his or her: birth certificate/passport; statement of immigration status; and immunization records/documents. It is also a good idea to have the child's education history and most recent report cards. Check with the local school board to find the location of the nearest school and enrollment or registration requirements. To telephone for general information, look in the blue pages of the telephone directory (the provincial government section) under the heading "Education and Training -- Ministry of" for "General Information & Public Enquiries". A: Attendance at publicly funded elementary and secondary schools (high schools) is free. These schools are administered by district school boards, which are responsible for implementing provincial education policy. They also provide and maintain qualified teachers, support staff and appropriate facilities. Elected school board trustees represent the local community, providing a link between voters and the education system. Private or alternative schools also provide elementary and secondary education. They are independently operated and do not receive government funding. To telephone for general information, look in the blue provincial government pages of the telephone directory for "General Information & Public Enquiries," under "Education & Training -- Ministry of". Q: Where can I get information on vaccinations and immunizations? A: Canada has public health laws that protect all of us. Immunization or vaccination for children is one of the most important ways we protect all persons living in Canada, young and old, from getting serious infectious diseases. Your child cannot go to school unless his or her immunization records are up to date. You can arrange to have your child inoculated by your doctor or pediatrician, or through a public health clinic. You will receive an immunization or vaccination record, which you must provide to your child's school. You may also find a central help line listed under "Immunization" in the white pages of the telephone book. The schedule varies from province to province. Immunization for Adults If you were not immunized against preventable diseases before coming to Canada, you should contact your doctor or local public health clinic immediately. You will be immunized free of charge. In Canada, there is a "schedule" for these immunizations. Ask your doctor or pediatrician for a copy of this schedule, or look in the blue pages of the telephone directory, under the Municipal (city or town) Government, for "Health -- General Inquiry" or "Immunization Information." A: Canadians have long valued their traditions of democracy, freedom and tolerance. The rights and values so important to all Canadians are enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Bill of Rights, and provincial human rights codes. Along with these rights come certain responsibilities. Canadians are also proud of Canada's multicultural heritage, created as generations of immigrants joined the Aboriginal peoples who have lived in Canada for thousands of years. New Canadians must learn one of Canada's two official languages, English and French. Canadians enjoy the following rights and freedoms: equality rights democratic rights legal rights mobility rights language rights freedom of religion freedom of expression freedom of association. To learn more about Canadian citizenship, visit CIC's Internet site, http://www.cic.gc.ca or call one of the CIC Call Centre stations. Several publications, including How to Become a Canadian Citizen, and A Look at Canada, How to Host a Citizenship Ceremony, and several Citizenship Fact Sheets are available on the Internet site or through the Call Centre stations. Fact Sheet #8 describes the rights and responsibilities of Canadians more fully. Young people should check out Citzine (www.citzine.ca), a web magazine developed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada with private-sector support to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Canadian citizenship. Consult the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (available on the Department of Justice Internet site). If you need more information, please contact a Call Centre or visit the CIC Internet site. A: To apply to become a Canadian citizen: you must be a permanent resident of Canada (landed immigrant); you must have lived in Canada for at least three of the past four years; you must be at least 18 years of age to apply on your own; you must complete an application form and mail it, along with the appropriate documents, photographs and fee, to the CPC in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Contact a Call Centre to obtain an application form and determine the steps to follow. You must be tested on your knowledge and understanding of English or French, of Canada as a nation, and of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship (you will be notified by mail as to where and when to take the test). If you pass the test, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony where you will take the Oath of Citizenship and receive a certificate of Canadian citizenship. Applications for citizenship must be mailed to: CPC Sydney Citizenship and Immigration Canada P.O. Box 7000 Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6V6 |
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Tel.:
604-617-1261 | Fax: 604-251-1386 | email: visa@cansine.com.cnvisa@cansine.com.cn