Follow this step-by-step guide to settlement in Alberta to ease your transition into our new life in Canada. You will find contact information for each service agency that you will require to get started, whether you are moving to the city of Calgary, the city of Edmonton or the surrounding areas.
In this Landing Guide to Alberta you’ll find information on:- General Information
- Health care
- Employment
- Finding Work
- Finance
- Education
- How to obtain a driver's licence
- Housing
- Additional Important Steps
- What Can I Bring to Canada?
- Weather
- Additional Service providers
- Emergency Services
- Directory of Immigrant-Serving agencies
General Information
Official provincial immigration web site: www.alberta.com/immigrationOfficial city of Calgary website: http://www.calgary.ca/
Official City of Edmonton website: http://www.edmonton.ca/
Health care
Legal residents of Alberta are eligible for public health insurance. To qualify, register with Alberta health care within 3 months of arrival.For complete information on public health services in Alberta, visit www.health.gov.ab.ca
For information on obtaining public health insurance in Alberta visit the following websites:
For complete information on the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) visit the AHCIP Contact page.
For questions regarding Alberta's health care system email: health.ahinform@gov.ab.ca.
For Alberta Waitlist Registry inquiries, email: health.ahinform@gov.ab.ca.
For information on the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, call 310-0000 toll free, then dial 780-427-1432.
You can also send a letter or call:
Alberta Ministry of Health and Wellness
P.O. Box 1360, Station Main
Edmonton, AB
T5J 2N3
Telephone: call 310-0000 toll free, then dial 780-427-7164.
Deaf/hearing impaired callers, using a TTY, can reach the provincial government by dialing: 780-427-9999 in Edmonton, or 1-800-232-7215 throughout Alberta. Note: This is not a voice line.
Important Health Resources in Alberta
The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) provides 24-hour information, support, and referral services relating to gambling, alcohol or other drug problems.
http://www.aadac.com/
Telephone: 1-866-332-2322
Employment
In order to work legally in Alberta, you must apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN), a 9-digit registration number that all employees legally require to work anywhere in Canada.For information on how to apply and obtain a SIN: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/sin/index.shtml
You can also go to the Canadian Alberta Service Center (CASC) and apply for your SIN number in writing. To find a CASC near your new home, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline:
In Edmonton at 780-422-4266, elsewhere dial 1-800-661-3753.
You can also call Service Canada at 1-800-0-CANADA (1-800-622-6232) to obtain information on how to get your SIN number.
Next, have your credentials assessed and qualified for Canadian standards. The Alberta Advanced Education’s International Qualifications Assessment Service is the best place to begin. Otherwise, The Canadian Centre for International Credentials will be able to provide you with their services: http://www.cicic.ca/en/index.aspx
If you are a tradesperson, you must be certified to practice your trade in Alberta. For trade certification, begin by contacting Red Seal, a nation-wide trade certification organization at: www.red-seal.ca
Where required, register with the appropriate provincial regulatory organization for your profession. You should be able to find them in your local phonebook.
Finding work
The Alberta Career Information Hotline can help you get started in your job search. Call 780-422-4266 in Edmonton and 1-800-661-3753 elsewhere.The Alberta Human Resources and Employment service centres are located throughout the province and will aid you in your search for work. Look at their website to locate a service center near you: www.hre.gov.ab.ca. Be sure to obtain a copy of their free publication, Working in Alberta: A Guide for Internationally Trained and Educated Immigrants, that provides tips and job postings. You can request a copy from the Alberta Learning Information Service: www.alis.gov.ab.ca
To improve your employability, you should be fluent in either English or French. It can be helpful to register for language classes to improve English or French language skills. The Alberta Learning Information Service will provide you with details of where you can register for English or French as a second language courses: www.alis.gov.ab.ca. The ALIS can also provide you with essential additional training and education in your field.
In the Lethbridge or Brooks areas, the Southern Alberta Language Assessment Services (SALAS) can be of assistance in assessing your language abilities and recommending to you services or courses which will most cater to your needs: www.salasltd.ca
Tip: You can gain Canadian work experience by volunteering! The ALIS can provide you with volunteering opportunities in your area.
Financial
As soon as you arrive, it is important to open an account at a local bank or financial institution. The province suggests using the Alberta Treasury branch: http://www.atb.com/Dev/home/index.asp. Other popular banks in Alberta include HSBC, Scotia Bank, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Bank of Montreal (BMO), TD Canada Trust, and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). You can find contact information for these banks by searching on the internet, or simply walk into a local branch and ask for information.For general information on banking and financial matters in Alberta and the rest of Canada, visit the Canadian Bankers Association website at www.cba.ca
Canadian Money is made of cents and dollars. There are 100 cents in 1 Canadian dollar. Currency is found in coins of 1 cent ($0.01) called the “penny”, 5 cents ($0.05) called the ‘nickel’, 10cents ($0.10) called the ‘dime’ , 25cents ($0.25) called the ‘quarter’, 1 dollar ($1.00) called the ‘Loonie’ for the Canadian loon featured on the coin, and a two dollar ($2.00) coin called the “Twoonie” as it is the equivalent of two Loonie’s. Bills, or paper currency, are found in denominations of five dollars ($5.00), ten dollars ($10.00), twenty dollars ($20.00), fifty dollars ($50.00) and one hundred dollars ($100.00).
To find out what your home currency is worth against Canadian currency, talk to a representative from a local bank, or visit this popular currency exchange website: http://www.xe.com/
The most used forms of transactions are made with cash currency, cheques, debit banking cards, and credit cards.
If you have children who are under 18 years of age, you may be eligible to receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit. For information, visit the website for the Canadian Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca, or call toll-free 1-800-959-2221.
Schooling and Education
Children under 16 must be registered for school. Schooling generally begins at age 4 or 5. Most children stay in school until they finish high school, generally at 18 years of age.In Alberta, you can choose to send your children to publically-funded schools, or Charter schools which require yearly tuition to be paid. Charter schools may offer a wider range of courses.
The Canadian public school system is generally divided into 3 levels: Elementary, Secondary and Post-Secondary, either college or university. Some districts or charter schools may organize their grade levels differently, though education standards are regulated by the provincial government. The academic year for all levels of education begins in September and runs through June for elementary and secondary students, and to April for college and university students. Standard holidays include Christmas and New Year’s holidays in December and January, and a spring break in either March or April. In addition, students have the right to observe religious holidays. Contact the local school board in your neighbourhood for information on registration.
For people who speak French as a first language, French Public schools are available.
For complete information on post-secondary education visit the Study in Canada Guide and www.education.gov.ab.ca
If you require training in trades, visit the website for the Alberta Advanced Education’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training website at www.tradesecrets.org
For adult learning, visit the Alberta Advanced Education website at www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca, or call
Edmonton: 780.427.5624
Elsewhere: 310-0000 then 780.427.5624 after being prompted
Obtaining a Driver’s Licence
If you are planning on renting, leasing, or buying a car, you must have an official Alberta driver’s licence.For complete information on how to obtain an Alberta driver's licence visit: http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/driverslicence/index.html
http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/617.cfm
Note: Every vehicle and driver must have insurance. Contact a local insurance provider to become properly insured before you drive.
Housing
There are multiple housing options across Canada. If you have not visited your new city prior to immigrating, it may be best to rent an apartment on a temporary basis when you first arrive, and/or hire a real estate agent to guide you through the housing process and provide you with knowledgeable advice on the best areas for you and your family.Different types of housing, with description:
Apartment buildings are large, multi-unit buildings owned by one person or company where each inhabitant rents a unit. Studio or bachelor apartments are generally one room with a kitchen area and bathroom and are suited only for a single individual. Larger apartments can accommodate families as they have bedrooms and additional living space.
A large multi-unit building where each unit is owned by the inhabitant is called a condominium, and each unit is called a condo.
Often apartments and condos are found in homes that have been divided into separate living spaces.
Houses can be connected in a row, called townhouses or row houses, or detached, as separate, individual dwellings.
While average living costs vary given the size of a family, its location and level of income, housing is generally more expensive in cities. As a result, many families choose to live in suburbs which are towns located just outside of the city limits, where housing is more affordable. Suburbs often provide safe neighbourhoods, schools, shopping facilities and healthcare, all within close proximity to the amenities of the city. Housing in the country can be even less expensive and is desirable for many families, but you may a vehicle in order to travel for your basic needs including groceries, work, school and healthcare if you opt to live in the country.
Pets: If you are renting your home or live in a condominium, it is important that you ensure pets are legally allowed on the premises before you move in with your family pet, or purchase a family pet.
It is important that you take your family, your place of work, neighbourhood and finances into account before deciding on a place to live.
To find housing without the aid of a real estate agent, search through classified ads in your local newspaper or in real estate papers which are generally free. Online classified ads on websites such as craigslist.org and mls.ca are very popular.
Additional Important Steps
What can you bring into Canada?
Canada has strict rules concerning what can and cannot be brought into the country. There are regulations regarding food, alcohol, nicotine products, plants, animals, cars and other products. To avoid problems, be sure to check in advance what is and what is not allowed to come to Canada, as well as what procedures must be followed to bring certain items into the country.| For animals and food contact: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Animal Health Agriculture Canada 59 Camelot Drive Neapean, Ontario K1A 0Y9 (613)225-2342 (ext:4629) http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml |
For automobiles, contact: Transport Canada Place de Ville, Tower C 330 Sparks Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5 (613) 990-2309 http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/menu.html |
Weather
Most Albertan cities enjoy very warm summers where temperatures can go above 30 degrees Celsius. However, it can get very cold in almost all parts of Alberta in the winter, when temperatures can go below -30 or even -40 degrees. It is very important to ensure that you are prepared for the cold weather. Invest in warm winter clothing, including sweaters, winter jackets, boots, hats, scarves and gloves or mittens. If you do not dress warmly in the winter you will risk becoming ill or getting frost bite. Frost bite is severe damage to the skin caused by winter wind exposure.Canadians usually keep candles and matches, warm blankets, flash lights, first aid kits, and small snow shovels in their cars and homes in case of emergencies. In most parts of Canada your car must have specially designated winter tires in order to legally, and safely, drive in the winter.
Keep track of the weather to ensure that you are always dressed appropriately: www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca
Additional Resources/Service Providers
Service Alberta can provide you with information and aid on an array of topics you may encounter when you first move to Canada. Visit them at: www.servicealberta.gov.ab.caInform Alberta is a provincial directory of services and service providers: www.informalberta.ca
For questions regarding you move to Alberta, visit: www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/moving
Emergency Services
In emergency situations dial 911. By dialling 911, you will be connected with an operator who will assist you and dispatch emergency services to your location.In non-emergency situations, if you only require the police, you can find contact numbers for major cities below.
Calgary Police: (403) 266-1234
Edmonton Police: (780) 423-4567
Directory of Immigrant-Serving Agencies
It is important to visit an immigrant-serving agency that can answer your questions and provide you with guidance in the future.Calgary
| Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth #201, 1112B-40 Avenue NE Calgary, AB T2E 5T8 Telephone: (403) 230-7745 Fax: Same as telephone number; please call before sending a fax |
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society 3rd Floor, 120-17 Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2S 2T2 Telephone: (403) 262-2006 Fax: (403) 262-2033 E-mail: contact@ccis-calgary.ab.ca Website: www.ccis-calgary.ab.ca |
Calgary Immigrant Aid Society 12th Floor, 910-7 Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 3N8 Telephone: (403) 265-1120 Fax: (403) 266-2486 E-mail: info@calgaryimmigrantaid.ca Website: www.calgaryimmigrantaid.ca |
| Calgary Immigrant Women's Association #200, 138-4th Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2G 4Z6 Telephone: (403) 263-4414 Fax: (403) 264-3914 E-mail: general@ciwa-online.com Website: www.ciwa-online.com |
Centre for Newcomers #125, 920-36th Street NE Calgary, AB T2A 6L8 Telephone: (403) 569-3325 Fax: (403) 248-5041 Website: www.centrefornewcomers.ca |
Edmonton
| ASSIST Community Services Centre 9653-105A Avenue Edmonton, AB T5H 0M3 Telephone: (780) 429-3111 Fax: (780) 424-7837 Website: www.telusplanet.net/public/eccsc/ english/main.htm |
Catholic Social Services-Immigration and Settlement Service 10709-105 Street Edmonton, AB T5H 2X3 Telephone: (780) 424-3545 Fax: (780) 425-6627 Website: www.catholicsocialservices.ab.ca |
Changing Together—A Centre for Immigrant Women 3rd Floor, 10010-105 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 1C4 Telephone: (780) 421-0175 Fax: (780) 426-2225 E-mail: changing@interbaun.com Website: www.changingtogether.com |
| Edmonton Immigrant Services Association Suite 201, 10720-113 Street Edmonton, AB T5H 3H8 Telephone: (780) 474-8445 Fax: (780) 477-0883 E-mail: eisa@compusmart.ab.ca Website: www.compusmart.ab.ca/eisa |
Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers 101, 10010-107A Avenue Edmonton, AB T5H 4H8 Telephone: (780) 424-7709 Fax: (780) 424-7736 E-mail: mcnedm@emcn.ab.ca Website: www.emcn.ab.ca |
Other Cities
| Global Friendship Immigration Center 2nd Floor, 120-1st Avenue East Brooks, AB T1R 1C5 Telephone: (403) 362-6115 Fax: (403) 362-6337 E-mail: gfic@monarch.net |
Y.M.C.A. - Wood Buffalo-Immigrant Settlement Services #201, 10011 Franklin Avenue Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K6 Telephone: (780) 743-2970 Fax: (780) 743-2973 Website: www.ymca.woodbuffalo.org |
Immigrant Settlement Services, Grande Prairie Regional College #202, 9924-100 Avenue Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0T9 Telephone: (780) 538-4452 Fax: (780) 532-8857 E-mail: iss.gp@telus.net |
| Lethbridge Family Services-Immigrant Services 508-6 Street South Lethbridge, AB T1J 2E2 Telephone: (403) 320-1589 Fax: (403) 317-7654 E-mail: lfsis@theboss.com Website: www.lethbridge-family-services.com/ immigrant.cfm |
Saamis Immigration Services Association 177-12 Street NE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 5T6 Telephone: (403) 504-1188 Fax: (403) 504-1211 E-mail: sisa@telusplanet.net Website: www.sisa-medicinehat.com |
Catholic Social Services: Immigration and Settlement 202, 5000 Gaetz Avenue Red Deer, AB T4N 6C2 Telephone: (403) 346-8818 Fax: (403) 347-5220 Website: www.intentr.com/immigrantctr |
| Central Alberta Refugee Effort-C.A.R.E. Committee 202, 5000 Gaetz Avenue Red Deer, AB T4N 6C2 Telephone: (403) 346-8818 Fax: (403) 347-5220 E-mail: care2@telusplanet.net Website: www.intentr.com/immigrantctr |
Disclaimer: This guide is a compilation of information from multiple sources. Though the information is maintained and updated regularly, the law firm for Campbell, Cohen is not responsible for information that may have changed. This is not a government document. Neither the federal nor the provincial governments were involved in the making of this guide.
