Resources
More ways to find support for newcomers in Ontario
This is a collection of government and non-profit resources in Toronto and Ontario, designed to help navigate the challenges of your new life in Canada. Our counsellors can help connect you with many of these programs, or you can find out more about these services on their websites.
Newcomer Starter Guide
Our Newcomer Starter Guide contains ten first steps for new immigrants to Canada. You are welcome to print or make copies of this guide. It is available in English and French.
The Newcomer Starter Guide is a starting point for your new life in Canada. It does not contain an exhaustive list of everything you need to do, nor does it answer every question you might have. If you’d like more help as a newcomer to Canada, register here for our free services and one of our counsellors will reach out to you.
Notre Guide de démarrage pour les nouveaux arrivants contient dix premières étapes pour les nouveaux immigrants au Canada. Vous pouvez imprimer ce guide ou en faire des copies. Il est disponible en français et en anglais.
Le Guide est un point de départ pour votre nouvelle vie au Canada. Il ne contient pas une liste exhaustive de tout ce que vous devez faire et ne répond pas à toutes les questions que vous pourriez vous poser. Si vous souhaitez obtenir davantage d'aide en tant que nouvel arrivant au Canada, inscrivez-vous ici à nos services gratuits et l'un de nos conseillers vous contactera.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do your services cost money?All of our services are completely free. We will never ask you for money or charge you a fee.
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Who is eligible for our services?Our services are open to everyone, including permanent residents, refugees, international students, temporary foreign workers, and citizens. For a complete list of eligibility criteria, please click this link.
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How can we access your services?There are several ways you can get in touch with us and book an appointment: Call (416) 532-3888 (Queen St. West office) or (416) 633-5056 (Finch Ave West office) Email us at info@kababayan.org. Register through our client registration form. Many of our workshops and group sessions do not require you to register in advance. Subscribe to our newsletter [link] or visit our calendar of activities [link] to find out when and where these events will take place.
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Can you help me find a job?We offer many services to help our clients find work. We can help you reformat your resume, practice for interviews and learn what careers might be suitable for you. We have both group information sessions and one-on-one employment counselling and case management. You can learn more about our employment services and sign up for an appointment with a counsellor here.
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Do you provide immigration advice?No, we do not provide immigration advice. For immigration information, please visit the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website here.
Settlement
An online list of resources to help you settle in Canada.
A directory of community, social and health services offered by the City of Toronto. Dial 211.
Resources for new immigrants, provided by the Government of Canada.
An online list of resources to help you settle in the City of Toronto.
Programs run by Toronto Public Libraries, which include English classes for newcomers.
Run by the YMCA, the Newcomer Information Centre can provide settlement support, information, and referrals to other settlement agencies.
Contact number: (416) 968-9622
If you wish to access French language training and/or French settlement services, please visit this link to search up and link to the available Francophone providers in your area.
Si vous souhaitez accéder à une formation en langue française et/ou à des services d'établissement en français, veuillez consulter ce lien pour rechercher les prestataires francophones disponibles dans votre région.
Employment
Resources including employment support, financial benefits, and social supports.
Contact number: (416) 392-295
Employment aid and related services operated by the Government of Ontario.
Contact number: 1-800-387-5656
For information about credential assessments.
For information on programs that help you work in the profession you trained in while outside of Canada.
A portal for internationally-educated professionals to further practice their career in Ontario.
Resources for internationally-educated professionals in the medical field.
Health Care
After living in Ontario for a period of three months, you may be eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or convention refugee.
Refugees and refugee claimants may be able to access some health services through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). Please call the Centre for more information on how you can access this resource. Contact KMC.
With or without OHIP you can access free healthcare services at your local Community Health Centre (CHC). Click below to find the CHC nearest to you.
Directory of free healthcare services in Toronto, with or without OHIP.
Contact number: (416) 338-7600
Free health advice from a Registered Nurse, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—with or without OHIP. Translation support is available.
Contact number: 1-866-797-0000
Legal Aid
Legal services for low-income individuals.
Contact number: (416) 979-1446
Online referral service to find a lawyer or a paralegal, who will provide a free consultation of up to 30 minutes. A crisis line is available Monday to Friday, from 9:00AM to 5:00PM, if you are unable to access the online service.
Contact number: 1-855-947-5255