Many organizations in Canada offer free assistance to immigrants who are planning to move to this country or who have recently arrived there. The services include filling out forms, employment support, housing consultations, and more.
Free Food
In Canada, there are about 500 food banks, where those in need can get free groceries. To use the services, you can contact a food bank directly. Sometimes other institutions connect with these organizations.
Theoretically, anyone in need can get food, but employees of the food banks can request proof of income and ask a few questions. According to statistics, about 840 thousand people visit such institutions every month, and 12% of attendees are immigrants and refugees.
Among the products that are distributed in food banks are pasta, cereals, rice, ketchup, baby food, canned, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, and meat.
Food banks operate in all Canadian provinces. You can find the closest one using the Foodbankscanada.ca website.
Temporary Shelter
Anyone who is in a difficult life situation can contact the Salvation Army to get a free place to stay for 30–90 days. In Canada, there are several dozen temporary shelters managed by this organization in almost every province of the country. In addition to a bed, the Salvation Army provides hot lunches, gives access to a computer and connects with other organizations if necessary. Not everyone can use the services but only those who are on the street and have no place to stay.
You can find a temporary shelter using the Salvation Army website.
Help in Adaptation and Finding a Job
In Canada, some organizations provide prospective immigrants with pre-arrival services: assistance in finding a job and filling out documents, as well as information support.
These agencies are funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The services are free for those who can confirm their immigration status with one of the following documents:
- IRCC letter of invitation to receive pre-arrival services
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
- IRCC request for permanent residence applicant to receive medical assistance
- Single Entry Permanent Resident Visa
- Permanent Resident Visa Notification Letter
Organizations that help immigrants find a job and get information support can be found throughout Canada. You can contact these institutions directly at their offices or online outside the province where they are located.
Nationwide
Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA)
Address: 116 Albert St. Suite 801, Ottawa, ON K1P 5G3, Canada
Email: coa-oce@iom.int
Phone: +1 613-237-0651
The organization provides the following services:
- Providing information about life in Canada
- Assistance to refugees in integration and job search
Pre-Arrival Supports and Services (PASS)
Emails: mwankel@care4nurses.org, nghadiri@care4nurses.org, bdesir@care4nurses.org
Skype: passprogram
Phone: +1 416-226-2800, ext. 234, 223, 222
The organization works with immigrants with nursing education and provides the following services:
- Individual consultations
- Referral to other Canadian organizations
- Online nursing courses in English
- Workshops about the Canadian health care sector
- Mentoring
Planning for Canada
Email: info@planningforcanada.ca
The organization provides the following services:
- Providing information about work, education, housing, finance, culture, and life in Canada
- Personalized planning sessions
- Connecting with other Canadian organizations
Alberta
Centre for Newcomers
Address: 1010, 999 – 36 Street NE, Calgary, AB T2A 7X6, Canada
Email: info@centrefornewcomers.ca
Phone: +1 403-569-3325
The organization provides the following services:
- Employment support
- English courses
Immigrant Services Calgary
Address: #1200, 910 7th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3N8, Canada
Email: info@immigrantservicescalgary.ca
Phone: +1 403-265-1120
The organization provides the following services:
- Employment support
- Housing consulting services
- English courses
- Providing information about schools, business, drivers’ licences, and banks
- Help in finding doctors and hospitals
- Translation from different languages
British Columbia
Archway Community Services
Address: 2420 Montrose Ave., Abbotsford, BC V2S 3S9, Canada
Email: hello@archway.ca
Phone: +1 604-859-7681
The organization provides the following services:
- Employment support
- English courses
- Providing information about schools, business, drivers’ licences, and banks
AEIP Pre-Arrival Settlement Services
Address: 228-181 Keefer Place, Vancouver, BC V6B 6C1, Canada
Email: AEIPVan@success.bc.ca
Phone: +1 604-893-8222
The organization provides the following services:
- Assistance in preparing to move to Canada
- Information about relocation and employment
- Needs assessment
- Individual adaptation plan
- Referral to other Canadian organizations
British Columbia Construction Association
Address: 401 – 655 Tyee Road, Victoria, BC V9A 6X5, Canada
Phone: +1 250-475-1077
The organization works with people who want to be employed in the Canadian construction sector and provides the following services:
- Assessment of chances and needs
- Professional guidance on the construction market of British Columbia
- Help with CV writing
- Consultations on various issues related to work and life in Canada
- Providing contacts of Canadian employers before arrival in the country
Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
Address: 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2R4, Canada
Phone: +1 250-753-6911
The organization provides the following services:
- Employment assistance
- English courses
- Information support
Manitoba
Immigrant Centre
Address: 100 Adelaide Street, Winnipeg, MB R3A 0W2 Canada
Phone: +1 204-943-9158
The organization provides the following services:
- Employment support
- English courses
- Citizenship test preparation classes
- Help filling out forms
Nova Scotia
Settlement Online services Pre-Arrival (SOPA)
The organization provides the following services:
- Job search skills development
- Improving cultural communication skills
- Needs assessment
- Individual adaptation plan
- Referral to other Canadian organizations
Ontario
ACCES Employment
Address: 489 College Street, Suite 100, Toronto, ON M6G 1A5, Canada (there are also offices in several other communities in Ontario)
Phone: +1 416-921-1800
The organization provides the following services:
- Providing information on job vacancies and job search
- Consultations for applicants
- Mentoring programs
- Help in learning English
- Introducing Canadian corporate culture
Build On: Pre-Arrival Trades in Ontario
The organization provides the following services:
- Help in finding a skilled job in Canada
- Information on work in the field of engineering and construction
- Individual consultations
- Online learning materials
- Employment webinars
- Help from professional mentors
Centre for Immigrant & Community Services
Address: 2330 Midland Avenue, Toronto, ON M1S 5G5, Canada (there are also offices in several other communities in Ontario)
Email: info@cicscanada.com
Phone: +1 416-292-7510
The organization provides the following services:
- Assistance in finding a job: help in writing a CV, preparing for job interviews, holding job fairs
- Lessons for children
- Access to computers
New Canadians’ Centre — Peterborough
Email: info@nccpeterborough.ca
Phone: +1 705-743-0882
The organization provides the following services:
- Employment support
- Help in finding housing
- Providing information about schools, business, drivers’ licences, and banks
- Form filling services
Next Stop Canada
Address: 2200 Yonge St., Unit 300, Toronto, ON M4S 2C6, Canada
Phone: +1 416-928-3362, ext. 22915
The organization provides the following services:
- Information on adaptation
- Needs assessment
- Individual adaptation plan
- Referral to other Canadian organizations
Canada InfoNet
Address: 74 Tycos Drive, Toronto, ON M6B 1V9, Canada
Email: services@jvstoronto.org
Phone: +1 416-787-1151
The organization provides the following services:
- Online employment support
- Connecting with a professional mentor
- Interactive webinars with employers
- Access to job search resources
- Introducing Canadian corporate culture
- Connecting with services in the selected province
Quebec
L’Hirondelle
Address: 4652, rue Jeanne-Mance, Montréal, QC H2V 4J4, Canada
Phone: +1 514-281-5696
The organization provides the following services:
- Training seminars on how to find a job and write a CV
- Help filling out forms
SolutionsEmplois.ca
Phone: +1 800-267-2483
The institution organizes virtual job fairs in real time with potential employers for French-speaking and bilingual immigrants.