At the end of 2013, I met someone new to B.C., Canada, and emailed her a list of websites for resources/information to help her settle-in. The information is scattered all over this blog, so I've gathered them together in the email and added some new information. FYI, in case any newcomers to BC may find it useful.
------------------------------
There are various immigrant settlements services agency. From my acquaintances' and my experience, "
MOSAIC" and "
ISS of BC" (Immigration Settlement Services of B.C.) are the 2 more professional ones -- good to approach them.
MOSAIC is an immigrant settlements services agency. They conduct various programs and managed some of the Federal funding to help new immigrants settle into Canada.
http://www.mosaicbc.com/looking-work/workplace-connections-mentoring-program
http://www.mosaicbc.com/settlement-services/general-support/culture-connections
------------------------------
www.translink.ca
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/
http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/content/rightsresponsibilities/default.aspx
For
driving licence
"You have 90 days to switch over your licence after moving to B.C." -- ICBC website.
http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc
http://bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=28&languageId=1&contentId=-1
http://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Dial-A-Law/Scripts
To find a physician (i.e. doctor) taking on new clients (patients), check the
online physician search from College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C.
https://www.cpsbc.ca/physician_search
------------------------------
Here are some other links that might be of use to newcomers.
Check here for the provincial government's website for guide about living in BC.
http://www.welcomebc.ca/Live/index.aspx
The library of information for newcomers. Note: Each city has its own library system, but you can generally request to link your own city's library card with the other cities' libraries.
http://newtobc.ca/
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - Information about government taxes and financial related policies affecting individuals in Canada.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/menu-eng.html
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada - Information on managing personal finances in Canada. Tools and advice to guide you from choosing bank accounts, mortgages to analyzing one's budget.
http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/default.asp
The federal government funds this program to provide career counselling and some funds to new immigrants to obtain Canadian jobs equivalent to their previous profession. There are various groups that handle this. I applied through MOSAIC at Grant Street (along Commercial Drive), Vancouver. My case is now closed since I have spent the entire budget on nursing related courses. The amount is not much ($1,500 or $2,300 depending on one's previous industry), but some "free money" is still good. In addition, one can get one's English assessed for free through them, so that one can have a Canadian paper showing one's fluency in Canadian English.
http://www.skillsconnect.ca/
The S.U.C.C.E.S.S. B.C. Richmond office runs this project, which is funded by the government (I am not sure if it is funded at the federal or provincial level). The idea is to provide financial support to Internationally Trained Professionals as they go about getting employment in their field in Canada. One can obtain a low-interest rate loan ranging from $500 to $15,000 for training, exams, qualification accreditation/assessments, joining professional associations, books or study materials, and living allowance. Note: IMHO, applicants should exercise financial self-discipline with the loan granted. I am aware of someone who utilized the loan granted to him for unrelated purposes and then finding himself back in a "financially broke" situation.
http://www.successbc.ca/eng/component/option,com_mtree/task,viewlink/link_id,1222/
Quote from their website: "ICES evaluates formal for-credit educational programs of study for people who have studied in other provinces or countries and determines comparable levels in British Columbian and Canadian terms. The results of an ICES assessment are provided in evaluation reports that are objective, consistent, and reliable."
Note: Fees are applicable for the above service. The fee charged depends on the evaluation needed to be done.
http://www.bcit.ca/ices/
Student Aid BC
If you want to pursue full-time education to (re-)establish your career here. Those who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for provincial government loans for selected-education programs and basic living expenses for duration of their full-time studies.
https://studentaidbc.ca/apply/eligibility
You do not have to be a Christian to join the program. In fact, both the YMCA and YWCA in Metro Vancouver are social organizations, not religious ones. Quote from the YWCA website: "This free mentoring program for women in Vancouver connects professional female mentors with unemployed women aged 19 and over who are entering or re-entering professional or skilled careers. Mentees come from a variety of backgrounds. They are women who are starting their careers, returning to the workforce or newly entering the Canadian job market."
http://www.ywcavan.org/content/Connect_to_Success_Mentorship_Program/343
------------------------------
For permanent residents/citizens facing hardship, there are various support services.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
The CMHA has a website "Living Life To The Full" which has a list of
resources for those facing anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health issues.
Employment Insurance (EI)
If you lost your job due to company restructuring or other valid reasons, you're probably eligible to claim EI benefits. It is important to apply ASAP (as soon as possible), and not wait until you need the money. The
Canadian Bar Association (B.C.) website gives a good overview of EI with links to Services Canada for the actual details.
http://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Dial-A-Law/Scripts/Employment-and-Social-Benefits/282.aspx
If your annual adjusted net income is $30K and below, you can get MSP assistance after residing in Canada for the last 12 consecutive months.
https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/exforms/msp/premium_assistance.html
Whatever your income, register for Fair PharmaCare so that no more than 4% of your net income goes to paying for medications.
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/plani/planiindex.html#7
Home & Community Care
Persons/families who needs home and community care (e.g. home health nursing) may receive assistance from the Home & Community Care, see below.
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=E2ED536A29A6405ABDB7248AF8E81648
BC Bus Pass Program
"The BC Bus Pass Program offers a reduced cost, annual bus pass for low income seniors and individuals receiving disability assistance from the Province of British Columbia." -- BC Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation website
http://www.sd.gov.bc.ca/programs/bus-pass.html
HandyDART -- door-to-door public transport
"If you have a physical or cognitive disability and are unable to use public transit without assistance, you’re eligible to use HandyDART." -- Translink website
http://www.translink.ca/en/Rider-Guide/Accessible-Transit/HandyDART.aspx
Please do not abuse it so that the real folks in need can receive help. If you're feeling generous or want to volunteer, the Food Bank is a good place to offer your support.
Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, North Vancouver: https://www.foodbank.bc.ca/
Richmond: http://www.richmondfoodbank.org/
This is for hardship cases. Depending on demand, supply, and other eligibility factors matching applicants to the housing available, there may be a long wait-time between application date and allocation of subsidized housing.
http://www.bchousing.org/Options/Subsidized_Housing
YWCA provides non-religous, wide-range support for single mothers.
http://www.ywcavan.org/content/Resources_/246
There are lots of resources available, but newcomers have to be proactive to seek them.
