This is your official guide to a successful settlement in the province of British Columbia (B.C.). Included in this landing guide you will find complete contact information for each government office and immigrant service agency that you will require to successfully begin your new life in British Columbia, whether you are moving to the city of Vancouver, the city of Victoria, or the surrounding areas.
In this Landing Guide to British Columbia, you’ll find information on:
- General Information
- Healthcare
- Employment
- Finance
- Education
- Getting your Driver’s Licence
- Housing
- Additional Important Steps
- What Can I Bring to Canada?
- Weather
- Emergency Services
- Directory of Immigrant-Serving agencies
General Information
Official provincial immigration web site: http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/index.htmlOfficial city website for Vancouver: http://vancouver.ca/
Official city website for Victoria: http://www.victoria.ca/common/index.shtml
Visit a local tourism office to obtain a free city map:
Vancouver: Vancouver Touristinfo Centre
Plaza Level, 200 Burrard St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6C 3L6
Tel: 604.683.2000
Fax: 604.682.6839
Victoria: Visitor Centre
812 Wharf Street
Victoria, BC
Canada V8W 1T3
1-800-663-3883
250-953-2033
Health care
You must register for the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP) as soon as you arrive in order to receive health care. For instructions, you should call the following numbers:Vancouver, call 604 683-7151
Victoria, call 250 386-7171 or 250 382-8406
Elsewhere in B.C., call 1-800-663-7100
You will not be covered immediately by MSP. It generally takes 3 months after registration for your healthcare coverage to begin. In the interim, be sure to have temporary health insurance. You can obtain temporary health insurance through a private insurance company. You can locate one of the many private insurance companies in your local telephone book.
When your MSP coverage begins, you will receive a CareCard. You must bring this card with you whenever you visit a doctor or a hospital.
Note: MSP has a monthly fee.
Employment
To legally work in British Columbia, follow these steps:- Apply for your Social Insurance number (SIN). For information visit: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/sin/
- Ensure your credentials are assessed at one of the follow agencies:
Canadian Centre for International Credentials http://www.cicic.ca/en/index.aspx
The Open Learning Agency (OLA) operates the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). ICES will assess foreign secondary and postsecondary certificates for employment. This service costs between $115 and $200. To contact ICES, call 604 431-3402 in the Lower Mainland. Outside of Vancouver, call 1-800-663-1663. Website: http://www.ola.bc.ca/ices - If you work in a trade, ensure that you have the certifications required by law in British Columbia to practice your trade. For trade certification, begin by contacting Red Seal, a nation-wide trade certification organization at
www.red-seal.ca - Register with appropriate provincial regulatory organization for your profession (where applicable). To do so, contact your local Industry Training Authority:
The Canada–B.C. Business Service Centre will provide you with information and advice about regulations, government help, and training. Address: 601 West Cordova Street in Vancouver. Call 604 775-5525 in Vancouver and 1-800-667-2272 elsewhere in BC Website: www.smallbusinessbc.ca
The Business Immigration Office at the World Trade Centre in Vancouver. Call 604 844-1810. - Register for language classes, if required to improve your English or French language skills. For English as a Second Language classes (ESL) contact your local Language Assessment Centre:
For people living in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, North Vancouver and West Vancouver, call Western ESL Services at 604 876-5756.
For people living in Surrey, the Tri-Cities area and the Fraser Valley, call Timeline Data Solutions Ltd. at 604 507-4150
Elsewhere in BC, contact your local immigrant services organization.
Financial
You should open an account at a local bank or financial institution as soon as possible after you arrive. Popular banks in British Columbia include: HSBC, Scotia Bank, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Bank of Montreal (BMO), TD Canada Trust, and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).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 Loonies. 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/
Transactions are typically made in cash, or by debit or credit cards. Cheques or money orders are used less frequently, but may be required in some situations.
Note: If you have a low income and children 18 years of age or younger, you may be eligible to receive tax benefits and/or bonuses from the B.C. government. Call 1.800.387.1193 for more information.
Education
All children under 16 years of age must be registered for school in British Columbia. Public schooling for all children under 16 is free and generally begins at age 4 or 5. Most children stay in school until they finish high school, generally at 18 years of age.The Canadian public school system is generally divided into 3 levels: Elementary, Secondary and Post-Secondary (e.g. college or university). Some districts or private 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.
Vancouver School Board
http://www.vsb.bc.ca/default.htm
Telephone: (604) 713-5000
Greater Victoria District School Board
http://www.sd61.bc.ca/
Telephone: 250.475.3212
For those 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.
Obtaining a Driver’s Licence
If you are planning on renting, leasing, or buying a car, you must have an official British Columbia driver’s licence. The process of licensing varies depending on what sort of driving experience (if any) you had previous to moving to B.C. All licensing and insurance is managed by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). For complete information, visit their website at http://www.icbc.com/licensing/Note: Every vehicle and driver must have insurance. Contact a local insurance provider to become properly insured before you drive.
Housing
If you have not visited your new city before landing, it may be best to rent an apartment temporarily 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. You could also work with a real estate agent before you arrive, by doing an internet search and contacting one in advance. For example, search ‘real estate agent Victoria’, if you are planning on moving to the city of Victoria and you will find the contact information for multiple realtors who work in that city. 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 quite popular.There are multiple different housing options in British Columbia. Below is an explanation of the most popular options:
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. Condo’s can be small single personal dwellings, or large, multi-level family dwellings.
Often apartments and condos are found in homes that have been divided into separate living spaces.
Houses can be connected in a row, when they are called townhouses or row houses, or detached, as separate, individual dwellings.
Though average living costs vary given size of family, location and level of income, housing is generally more expensive in cities like Victoria and Vancouver. As a result, many families choose to live in smaller cities like Kelowna, Kamloops or Prince George. Many people choose to live in suburbs which are towns located just outside of the city limits, where housing is more affordable. Suburbs often provide good neighbourhoods, schools, shopping 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 will require a vehicle in order to travel for your basic needs including groceries, work, school and healthcare.
It is important that you take your family, your place of work, neighbourhood and finances into account before deciding on a place to live.
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.
Note: There are explicit rules about immigrating with a pet. Please see “What can you bring to Canada?” below.
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 of British Columbia enjoys very warm summers where temperatures can go above 30 degrees Celsius. Vancouver and Victoria are popular destinations for Canadians and newcomers because of their temperate climates. Unlike most of Canada, they experience very little snow in the winter. However, it can get very cold in almost all other parts of British Columbia in the winter, when temperatures can go below -20, even -30 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.British Columbians 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 B.C. your car must have specially designated winter tires in order to legally, and safely, drive in the winter.
Emergency Services
In emergency situations dial 911. By dialling 911, you become connected with an operator who will assist you and dispatch emergency services if needed.In non-emergency situations, if you only require the police, you can find contact numbers for major cities below.
Vancouver Police: (604) 717-3535
Victoria Police: (250)995-7654
Canadian Human Rights Commission
604-666-2511 or 1-800-999-6899
Directory of immigrant-serving agencies
| CIC call centre: Vancouver call 604 666-2171 anywhere else British Columbia, call 1-888-242-2100. Website: www.cic.gc.ca |
CANN (Community Airport Newcomers Network). Located in Vancouver airport to greet new immigrants. CANN is located at #280, 8191 Westminster Highway, Richmond, B.C. V6X 1A7, telephone 604 270-0077, fax 604 270-6008. E-mail: cann@lynx.bc.ca |
Abbotsford Community Services 2420 Montrose Avenue Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 3S9 Tel: 604 859-7681 Fax: 604 859-6334 www.abbotsfordcommunityservices.com |
| Burnaby Multicultural Society 6255 Nelson Avenue Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4T5 Tel: 604 431-4131 Fax: 604 431-4137 www.bby-multicultural.ca |
Vancouver and Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society 306 - 4980 Kingsway Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4K7 Tel: 604 436-1025 Fax: 604 436-3267 www.vlmfss.ca |
Campbell River and Area Multicultural and Immigrant Services Association 43 - 1480 Dogwood Street Campbell River, B.C. V9W 3A6 Tel: 250 830-0171 Fax 250 830-1010 www.misa.crcn.net |
| Chilliwack Community Services 46293 Yale Road Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 2P7 Tel: 604 792-7376 Fax: 604 792-6575 www.comserv.bc.ca |
SUCCESS Burnaby-Coquitlam Service Centre B - 435 North Road Coquitlam, B.C. V3K 3V9 Tel: 604 936-5900 Fax: 604 936-7280 www.success.bc.ca |
SUCCESS Tri-City Office 2058 - 1163 Pinetree Way Coquitlam, B.C. V3B 8A9 Tel: 604 468-6000 Fax: 604 464-6830 www.success.bc.ca |
| Comox Valley Family Services Association 1415 Cliffe Avenue Courtenay, B.C. V9N 2K6 Tel: 250 338-7575 Fax: 250 338-2343 E-mail: cvfsa@home.com |
Comox Valley Multicultural and Immigrant Support Society Tel: 250 338-2838 or 250 703-063 |
Cowichan Valley Intercultural and Immigrant Aid Society 3 - 83 Trunk Road Duncan, B.C. V9L 2N7 Tel: 250 748-3112 Fax: 250 748-1335 E-mail: cviias@shaw.ca |
| Kamloops Immigrant Services 110 - 206 Seymour Street Kamloops, B.C. V2C 2E5 Tel: 250 372-0855 Fax: 250 372-1532 www.kamloopsimmigrantservices.net |
Multicultural Society of Kelowna 100 - 1875 Spall Road Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 4R2 Tel: 250 762-2155 Fax: 250 762-8155 |
Kitimat Multicultural Society P.O. Box 16 Kitimat, B.C. V8C 2G6 Tel: 250 632-6846 |
| Langley Family Services 5339 - 207th Street Langley, B.C. V3A 2E6 Tel: 604 534-7921 Fax: 604 534-9884 |
Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society 114 - 285 Prideaux Street Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2N2 Tel: 250 753-6911 Fax: 250 753-4250 www.island.net/~cvims |
Penticton and District Multicultural Society 508 Main Street Penticton, B.C. V2A 5C7 Tel: 250 492-6299 Fax: 250 490-4684 E-mail: pdms@telus.net |
| Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society of Prince George 1633 Victoria Street Prince George, B.C. V2L 2L4 Tel: 250 562-2900 Fax: 250 563-4852 E-mail: imss@mag-net.com |
SUCCESS Richmond Office 220 - 7000 Minoru Blvd. Richmond, B.C. V6Y 3Z5 Tel: 604 279-7180 Fax: 604 279-7188 www.success.bc.ca |
Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society 210-7000 Minoru Blvd. Richmond, B.C. V6Y 3Z5 Tel: 604 279-7160 Fax: 604 279-7168 www.rmcs.bc.ca |
| Options: Services to Communities Society 100 - 6846 King George Highway Surrey, B.C. V3W 4Z9 Tel: 604 596-4321 Fax: 604 572-7413 www.options.bc.ca |
Progressive Inter-Cultural Community Services Society 109 - 12414 - 82nd Avenue Surrey, B.C. V3W 3E9 Tel: 604 596-7722 Fax: 604 596-7721 www.picssociety.com |
Surrey-Delta Immigrant Services Society 1107 - 7330 137 Street Surrey, B.C. V3W 1A3 Tel: 604 597-0205 Fax: 604 597-4299 |
| SUCCESS Surrey-Delta Service Centre A7 The Boardwalk Place 10160 - 152nd Street Surrey, B.C. V3R 9W3 Tel: 604 588-6869 Fax: 604 588-6823 www.success.bc.ca |
Trail and District Multicultural Society 201 - 1504 Cedar Avenue Trail, B.C. V1R 4C6 Tel: 250 364-0999 Fax: 250 364-0945 |
Inland Refugee Society of B.C. 101 - 225 East 17th Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V5V 1A6 Tel: 604 873-6660 Fax: 604 873-6620 |
| Immigrant Services Society of B.C. 501 - 333 Terminal Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V6A 2L7 Tel: 604 684-2561 Fax: 604 684-2266 www.issbc.org |
Immigrant Services Society Welcome House 530 Drake Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2H3 Tel: 604 684-7498 Fax: 604 684-5683 www.issbc.org |
MOSAIC 2nd floor, 1720 Grant Street Vancouver, B.C. V5L 2Y7 Tel: 604 254-9626 Fax: 604 254-3932 www.mosaicbc.com |
| Pacific Immigrant Resources Society Suite 205 - 2929 Commercial Drive Vancouver, B.C. V5N 4C8 Tel: 604 298-5888 Fax: 604 298-0747 www.pirs.bc.ca |
SUCCESS 28 West Pender Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1R6 Tel: 604 684-1628 Fax: 604 408-7236 www.success.bc.ca |
SUCCESS 5836 Fraser Street Vancouver, B.C. V5W 2Z5 Tel: 604 324-1900 Fax: 604 324-2536 www.success.bc.ca |
| Vernon and District Immigrant Services Society 100 - 3003 - 30th Street Vernon, B.C. V1T 9J5 Tel: 250 542-4177 Fax: 250 542-6554 www.futuresbc.com/cap/immigrantservices |
Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria 930 Balmoral Road Victoria, B.C. V8T 1A8 Tel: 250 388-4728 Fax: 250 386-4395 www.icavictoria.org |
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society 3rd Floor - 535 Yates Street Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Z6 Tel: 250 361-9433 Fax: 250 361-1914 www.vircs.bc.ca |
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.
