survival arrival

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After You Arrive


Toronto is a city that fosters a strong sense of belonging, active participation and the best possible quality of life – this is all part of its motto “Diversity Our Strength.”
Although immigration is primarily the responsibility of the Federal Government of Canada, Toronto can help meet the needs of newcomers through various municipal services. The City of Toronto also provides supports to community agencies, which help build and support community networks.
We want you to learn about the our City’s people and culture in order to make it easier to settle and get comfortable in your new home. Local community organizations can help you fit in and make supports and connections as soon as possible. Once you have made some personal contacts, it is important to work with the Government of Canada to get all your necessary forms, card and paperwork taken care of.
Also, once you arrive you will want to learn about the different services and employment opportunities available, plus learn important information regarding transportation, finances and more. This section will also connect you with municipal programs and services for child care, recreation, arts and culture and youth.

 

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Local Community Agencies & Groups

Toronto fosters a strong sense of community in newcomers by providing many supports and services to make the transition to life in the city as easy as possible.
We recognize that it can be difficult to feel at home because of all the changes taking place at once. That's why all three levels of government are working together to help you access to employment, education and training and other government services and programs..
Settlement Services

Do you need help settling in Toronto? These organizations provide services to help newcomers:
Settlement.org
This is a helpful website that provides newcomers with information and resources to settle in Ontario, Canada. It is also available in French. These sites have a section called "Your First Days in Ontario" that has vital information for your first two weeks in Ontario. OCASI is sponsored by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) and is funded by the federal Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the provincial Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.
211 - Community Information Toronto
This community-based non-profit agency provides assessment, information, referrals and advocacy. It also assists immigrants with immediate needs for settling in Toronto or with ongoing integration into Canadian society.
311 Toronto
A public information and referral service from the City of Toronto. It provides information about municipal government services and programs. 311 Toronto offers services in other languages through a telephone interpretation service. You can reach them by telephone at 311, by email at 311@toronto.ca and on twitter @311toronto
Toronto Newcomer Immigration Centres (NIC)
There are seven YMCA of Toronto Newcomer Immigration Centres (NIC) that provide settlement resources and referral services for newcomers to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The NICs are equipped with extensive libraries and computer labs.
The NICs offers extended hours of service and appointments are not necessary. You can also visit the most convenient location to speak to a representative in one of more than 20 different languages.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to helping newcomers settle into their new lives in Canada. All of their newcomer services are available for free or at a very low cost. All three levels of Canadian government fund many of the NIC services.

 

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Applying for your Health Card

All Canadian residents are covered for major medical and hospital costs by provincial health insurance programs. If you are not currently a Canadian resident, and would like to receive universal health care benefits you will need to apply for an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) Card. After receiving your OHIP card, universal health care will cover most medical treatment costs.

 

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Social Insurance Number

What is it?
The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a unique 9 digit number that identifies people who:
Earn money through work and investments
Pay taxes
Contribute to pension plans
Use government services
Why do you need it?
You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada and to use some government programs. An employer cannot pay you if you do not have a SIN. The law in Canada says that your employer has to ask you to show your SIN card, or proof that you have applied for a SIN, within 3 days after you start a job. It's a good idea to apply for your SIN as soon as you can. That way, you will have it when you need it.
How to get your SIN
To get a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you have to fill out an application. You also need to collect some documents to submit with your application. You can Get an application form online or from your local Service Canada Centre. There is no application fee for your first SIN. Many settlement agencies can help you apply for a SIN.

 

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Employment and Social Services

Toronto Employment & Social Services (TESS) is a vital part of the social safety net that makes Toronto a caring community. They work with community and government partners to ensure the services they deliver are appropriate, effective and accessible.
Toronto Employment & Social Services provide financial supports for food, shelter, clothing and other household costs, as well as a range of medical supplies and services.
They also help people find a job. Their employment services include career planning, education, training and help for job seekers. You can also submit your resume and search for employment opportunities with the TESS Employment Opportunities System.

 

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Banking in Canada

Canadian Money

Canada's currency is the dollar ($). There are 100 cents in a dollar. Canadian coins include the penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), a one-dollar coin known as the "loonie" and a two-dollar coin called a "toonie". The most common paper bills are $5, $10, $20 and $50. Please visit the Currency Converter to convert your currency into Canadian Dollars.
Opening a Bank Account

It is recommended that you open a banking account with a bank, credit union or trust company soon after arriving in Toronto. It is not safe to carry large amounts of money (cash) with you. Later, if you move to another part of the country, you can transfer your money to another branch of the bank or trust company. You will be able to deposit or transfer monies from your account in your country of origin, though there are some restrictions on the amounts. Your banking institution will have information on these restrictions.

Canada has stable and very well developed banking system and Canadian banks play important role in Canadian economy and society. Canadian banks are amongst the top Canadian employers, employing over 200,000 people. Canadian banks are among the top tax payers too.
When you are opening a bank account, you should try to find a bank that best meets your needs, is close to where you live, has low service fees, and has convenient banking hours. To open a bank account at any bank, you will need at least two pieces of identification such as your passport, social insurance number or personal identification card.

Banks Operating in Canada


Schedule I banks are domestic banks and are authorized under the Bank Act to accept deposits, which may be eligible for deposit insurance provided by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation.
This list reflects the institutions authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to operate in Canada. To view the OSFI list, click here and select "Deposit-Taking Institutions" and then "Banks."
For a list of institutions that are members of the Canadian Bankers Association, please visit our Member Banks page.

BMO Financial Group
First Bank Tower
1 First Canadian Place
Toronto, Ontario M5X 1A1
(416) 867-5000

Bank West
1010-24 Street SE, P.O. Box 5328
High River, Alberta T1V 2A7
(403) 652-2107

Bridgewater Bank
10310 G.A. MacDonald (39A) Avenue
Box 8180, Station South
Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5X9
1-888-837-2326

CIBC
Commerce Court West, 56th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5L 1A2
(416) 980-2211

Canadian Tire Bank
3475 Superior Court
Oakville, Ontario L6L 0C6
1-800-464-9166

Canadian Western Bank
2300-10303 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3X6
(780) 423-8888

Citizens Bank of Canada
401 - 815 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1B4
(604) 708-7800

CS Alterna Bank
400 Albert Street, 3rd floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 5B2
1-866-560-0120
(non-member)

DirectCash Bank
1420 28th Street North East, Bay #6
Calgary, Alberta T2A 7W6
(non-member)

Dundee Bank of Canada
44 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 1H1
1-888-884-3434

First Nations Bank of Canada
224 4th Avenue South
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 5M5
1-888-454-3622
(non-member)

General Bank of Canada
#006, 11523 – 100 Ave
LeMarchand Mansion
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 0J8
1-877-443-5620

(non-member)
HomEquity Bank
45 St. Clair Avenue West
Suite 600
Toronto, Ontario M4V 1K6
(non-member)

Jameson Bank
200 Front Street West
Suite 2203, P.O. Box 33
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3K2
(non-member)

Laurentian Bank of Canada
1981 McGill College Avenue
Montreal, Québec H3A 3K3
(514) 522-1846

Manulife Bank of Canada
500 King Street North
Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4C6
1-877-765-2265

MonCana Bank of Canada
264 Riverside Mews SE
Calgary, Alberta T2C 3Y8
(403) 263-2265

National Bank of Canada
600 rue de la Gauchetière ouest
Montreal, Québec H3B 4L2
(514) 394-4000

Pacific & Western Bank of Canada
Suite 2002, 140 Fullarton Street
London, Ontario N6A 5P2
(519) 645-1919

President's Choice Bank
25 York Street, 7th Floor, P.O. Box 201
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2V5
(416) 204-2600

Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank Plaza, 8th Floor, South Tower
200 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J5
(416) 974-5151

The Bank of Nova Scotia
Scotia Plaza, 7th Floor
40 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 1H1
(416) 866-6161

TD Bank Group
P.O. Box 1, 11th Floor
Toronto-Dominion Centre
55 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1A2
1-866-222-3456

 

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Finding Child Care

Parents in Toronto have a number of options when it comes to finding child care. Child care is offered through over 800 licensed child-care centres and 22 licensed private home child-care agencies working with more than 2,000 approved home care providers. There are also unlicensed child-care providers. Assistance with the cost of licensed child care (child-care subsidy) is available. Income information is needed to see if you qualify for assistance.
Toronto Children’s Services manages the City of Toronto’s child-care system for children who range from infant to school age. The City also provides additional services including fee subsidy, wage subsidy, family resource centres, special needs funding and summer day camps.
The Province of Ontario’s Early Years Centres are places where parents and caregivers can take part with their children in a range of programs and activities; get answers to questions; get information about programs and services that are available for young children; and talk to child-care professionals, as well as other parents and caregivers in the community.
Also, half of Toronto elementary through secondary schools have child care on site. There is often a waiting list for many facilities and it can take time to find one suitable for your child.

 

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Recreation and Leisure

Toronto is one of the greenest urban centres in the world with many natural parks and ravines. One of the City's greatest strengths is its wonderful parks system. Big or small, these parks offer everything from play to quiet relaxation.
With so much natural beauty in Toronto, take advantage of Discovery Walks, a program of self-guided walking tours that link city ravines, parks, gardens, beaches and neighbourhoods.
There are more than 120 golf courses within an hour of downtown, including five located within City limits. Local community centres are places where newcomers can learn new skills, get information and meet new friends

 

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Arts and Culture

The City's Live With Culture initiative is a public awareness campaign spotlighting Toronto's extraordinary arts and cultural communities.
The City's Culture Division operates and administers many museums, historic sites, and performing and visual arts centres. It also provides financial support for cultural activity and individual artists to encourage public art projects in both private and public developments.
The Toronto Arts Council, run by a volunteer board and funded through the City, invests in a lot of different activities from individual creation and small start-up projects to some of Canada's largest and most renowned arts institutions.
Toronto has many festivals and celebrations that showcase to the world the City's creativity and cultural energy. The various events offer the best of theatre, art, film, literature, cuisine, wine, dance, opera, fashion and music.

 

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Youth Services

There are a variety of services available in the city of Toronto for youth who have immigrated to Canada including:
Newcomer Services for Youth (NSY)
NSY is a program offered through the Toronto District School Board. It provides settlement services to newcomer youth between the ages of 13-24 to help them to adapt to life in Canada. They offer a youth-friendly environment where students and youth can get information about settlement, integrating into the educational system, mentorship, and job searching in Canada. Youth can benefit from free services including youth mentorship, volunteer and leadership opportunities, after school supports (i.e. 1 on 1 academic tutoring, etc.), cultural events, computer skills workshops, youth focused information sessions, resume writing, interview skills and participation in recreational activities and sports
Toronto Youth Cabinet (TYC)
TYC is a youth-led and volunteer-based organization that acts as the official voice for young adults at Toronto's City Hall. The TYC advocates for various youth issues and works to make sure there is a focus on youth programs and services. The TYC also promotes youth activism and civic engagement. All TYC members are between the ages of 13-24 and either work, play, go to school and/or live in the City of Toronto.
NewYouth.ca / NouveauxJeunes.ca
This website is a place for young newcomers to find reliable information and services to access. You can read articles or watch informative videos on newcomer youth-related issues, find services and programs near where you live, and find newcomer youth-related events to attend. You can also comment and ask questions about specific topics, which will be responded to by the OCASI youth website team.
The site offers a variety of resources for youth living in Toronto's multicultural communities. There is information on a variety of topics, such as making the transition from school to work, finding and keeping a job, and locating affordable healthcare services and finding language classes, as well as sharing strategies on how to lead a balanced, healthy, and exciting lifestyle.
Supporting Our Youth (SOY)
SOY is an exciting, dynamic community development project designed to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered youth in Toronto. The Express Immigrant and Newcomer Group (accessed through SOY) is a safe and supportive space where newcomers and immigrant queer youth find a place to gather, share ideas and questions, and have fun.
SOY works to create healthy arts and culture, recreational spaces provide supportive housing and employment opportunities for young people and increase youth access to adult mentoring and support.
Hearing Every Youth through Youth (HEYY)
HEYY is a non-profit volunteer organization that runs an anonymous community phone line designed by youth in Toronto. Calls are answered by youth volunteers who are skilled in dealing with many of the issues you may be experiencing. Their representatives can talk to you about almost anything and all information is confidential and anonymous.
RAMP
RAMP is an online gateway and meeting place designed for Toronto's teenagers. RAMP has helpful information in an extensive jobs section. The service is a collaborative project of the Toronto Public Library staff and teen volunteers. Check out which library branches offer programs like job fairs to help you find work.

 

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Get Help in your Language

Get Help in your Language
The City of Toronto Immigration and Settlement Web Portal provides selected services in languages other than English. We have made every effort to provide resources in as many languages as possible. However, users should be aware that some information from various City divisions and external sources is available only in the language in which it was originally provided.
Information available in other languages.

311 Toronto also offers information in more than 140 languages using telephone interpretation services. If you have difficulty speaking English, or know someone who does, call 311 Toronto at 311.
InMyLanguage.org is also a fantastic resource. It provides information for newcomers in many languages. Visitors to this website can get the information they need in the language they want

 

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Living in Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government with a population of about 2.6 million people and one of the most multicultural cities in the world. It is also the capital of the Province of Ontario.
The city offers more than 40 services including emergency (police, fire and ambulance), transit, social and health, arts, culture, solid waste, water and wastewater.
It is a city with civic pride. Thanks to residents, businesses, property owners and our youth, Toronto is a clean and green city. It is committed to the environment and offers several recycling programs to manage its waste. It recently passed an environmental plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, clean the air and create a sustainable energy future. A clean and beautiful city also makes good business sense. It attracts highly skilled workers and investment, which contributes to a healthy economy.
The City operates many museums, historic sites, performing and visual arts centres and supports public and community initiatives. Toronto is a city where people live, work and play. It is a city dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and livability for all.

 

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Canada's Government System

Levels of government

There are three primary levels of government in Canada: Federal, Provincial, and Municipal.
The Federal government is responsible for matters regarding Canada as a whole, such as interprovincial and international trade, national defence, criminal law and banking. There are 22 Members of Parliament (MPs) that represent Toronto’s residents in the federal House of Commons.
Provincial governments are responsible for civil rights, natural resources within their borders, social security, health care and municipal ties. There are 22 Members of Ontario's Provincial Parliament (MPPs) that represent the residents of Toronto in the Legislative Assembly.
Municipal governments are responsible for services to residents such as roads, garbage collection, snow removal and parks and recreation. Municipalities also have a major role in land development, business regulations, and civic and cultural activities. Elementary and secondary schools are operated by local school boards.
The City of Toronto
Toronto's municipal government has 44 elected councillors and one mayor.
The City of Toronto believes in equality regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, disability, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, same sex partnership, age, marital status, family status, immigrant status, receipt of public assistance, political affiliation, religious affiliation, level of literacy, language, or socio-economic status.
Public Participation

Did you know that you may make presentations at City Hall or contact the local City Councillor, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), and Member of Parliament (MP) with questions and concerns? You can also participate in consultations and serve on boards, agencies and task forces. It is through participation in your local government that you may take part in the decision-making process.
Your Rights
In Canada, federal and provincial laws protect human rights as defined by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Human rights are a central part of Canadian law. These various levels of legal protection reflect the fact that human rights are an important part of Canadian society.
The charter guarantees certain freedoms for everyone in Canadian society.
Media: Local, National and Multilingual

Toronto has a variety of English-language publications reporting the local, national and international news as well as providing local weather reports. The four major daily newspapers are The Toronto Star, the Toronto Sun, The Globe and Mail and the National Post.
Toronto also has an excellent selection of multilingual and ethno-cultural media outlets representing languages that include Spanish, Italian, Korean, traditional Chinese and Cantonese languages. Other resources are Canadian Immigrant magazine, which is published monthly in Toronto by Star Media Group and Canadian Newcomer magazine, a publication based in Toronto and funded by Citizenship & Immigration Canada.

 

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Why study in Toronto?

Canadians place great importance on learning and have developed a first-rate educational system with high standards. Toronto is home to several first class post-secondary institutions that all offer a variety of programs and courses to suit your needs and interests.
Canada offers a stable learning environment and tuition fees that are reasonable. A degree from a Canadian university is recognized as being equivalent to degrees from other Commonwealth countries and also from the United States.

 

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