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These resources will help you navigate the immigration and refugee system in Canada. Information about how to immigrate to Canada, sponsor a family member, obtain a permanent resident card, apply for citizenship, access services as a refugee or protected person can be found at: settlement.org/ontario/immigration-citizenship
Immigrants come to Canada through three immigration streams:
Individuals can immigrate to Canada through this stream by applying for Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse, dependents, parents or grandparents through this stream.
Canada resettles refugees from abroad through government-assisted or privately-sponsored refugees programs, in addition to protecting refugee claimants in the country.
To learn more about programs under each of the above immigration streams, eligibility requirements and application process, visit canada.ca/immigration.
The following are more resources about immigration and refugee process in Canada:
Settlement organizations provide you with information and assistance while you adjust to a new life in Canada. They provide culturally sensitive services in several languages, including assistance in finding a place to live, learning English or French, finding employment, assessing educational and professional qualifications, referrals to other services such as legal help, connecting with the community, filling out forms and applications, and answering other general concerns related to immigration or settlement.
Services offered to newcomers in Canada may have eligibility requirements that vary by immigration status:
Make sure you check eligibility requirements for services you need.
Settlement supports – employment services – English language classes – community connections
Who: Permanent residents, convention refugees/protected persons, refugee claimants (some services), Ukrainian newcomers
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
8 Main St. E., Unit 101, Hamilton – 905-529-5209
100 Main St. E., Units #210 and #250, Hamilton – 905-529-5209
1119 Fennell Ave. E. St., Units #234 and #236, Hamilton – 905-387-1100
160 Centennial Parkway N. Unit 7, Hamilton – 905-662-9160
Website: iwchamilton.ca
Resettlement and settlement supports – temporary accommodation – needs assessment and referrals – information and orientation services – community connections
Who: Government Assisted Refugees, Ukrainian newcomers
Address and Phone Number:
467 Main St. E., Hamilton
905-528-5629
Website: www.wesley.ca
Information and orientation – needs asset assessment & referral services – Bridge to Work Program in Childcare Industry – language assessment and referrals – school-based settlement support – professional mentorship matches – youth mentorship matches – Canada Connects social media matches – library-based English Conversation Groups – Newcomer Youth Centres – International Student Connect services
Language assessment at YMCA is the starting point for anyone wishing to access language classes.
Who: Permanent residents and convention refugees (eligible for all services), refugee claimants, naturalized Canadian citizens, international students and temporary foreign workers (eligible for some services), Ukrainian newcomers
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
25 Main Street West, Suite 105, Hamilton – 905-526-8452
211 Centennial Parkway North, Unit #1, Stoney Creek – 905-662-9400
Website: www.ymcahbb.ca
Employment counselling – networking – needs assessment and referrals – information – recreation – mentorship – community connections – 2SLGBTQIA+ youth support – supports for immigrant women – gender-based violence – educational, experiential and art-based workshops
Who: Permanent residents, protected person/convention refugee, a live-in caregiver with an approved work permit, Ukrainian newcomers (Must identify as a woman, girl, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth or non-binary)
Address and Phone Numbers:
75 MacNab Street South, Hamilton
905-522-9922, 365-324-0249, or 905-522-9922 ext. 335
Website: www.ywcahamilton.org/join
Information and referrals for Francophone newcomers – housing help supports – job search – education and training
Who: Francophone newcomers
Address and Phone Numbers:
1320 Barton Steet East, Hamilton
905-528-0163 or 1-866-437-7606
Website: www.cschn.ca
Canada has many free English and French language classes for newcomers. Language classes help you learn or improve your official language skills, and provide opportunities for learning about Canadian culture and connecting with the community. There are classes for all language levels, from basic literacy to advanced and occupation-specific.
NOTE:
In order to enroll in these classes, you first need to book a language assessment appointment with YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford by email at immigrant.settlement@ymcahbb.ca or call 905-526-8452 or 905-662-9400.
LINC classes are funded by the federal government. To sign up for LINC classes, a language assessment is required. To book an appointment, contact the English Language Assessment & Referral Services at YMCA Immigrant Services.
ESL classes are funded by the provincial government and have no resident status requirements. There may be a small fee for enrolment.
Finding a place to live is likely to be one of your top priorities. Your housing options depend on your needs and your budget. Housing services and supports can help you find a place to rent, access financial supports, and answer questions about rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
For more information about types of housing in Ontario, visit Settlement.org’s housing section
To learn about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, read the Residential Tenancies Act (2006)
HIPC has created a guide to finding housing for newcomers, which is available in English, French, and Ukrainian: hamiltonimmigration.ca/hipc-reports
All Canadian residents have access to health care. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those with a valid work permit or a temporary resident permit in Ontario qualify for public health insurance in Ontario known as OHIP. Your OHIP card covers most health services, such as services from physicians and hospital stays. If you do not have an OHIP card, you may receive services at health centres in the community, such as Refuge Hamilton Newcomer Health Centre (newcomerhealth.ca), Compass Community Health Centre (compassch.org) or Urban Core Community Health Centre (hucchc.com).
It can be a challenge for anyone to find a family doctor in Ontario, so be prepared to spend some time on the search.
There are a number of services that help to connect you to a family doctor that is taking new patients:
HHS Main Street West Urgent Care 690 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 1A4 Noon – 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week
Urgent Care-King Campus (St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton) 2757 King St, Hamilton, ON L8G 5E4 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., 7 days a week
If you require health care services, you can contact one of the following agencies to begin the process:
Children and youth 0-17 years old who meet the income eligibility criteria can access routine and emergency dental care through the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program. Call 905-546-2424 ext 5369 or visit www.ontario.ca/page/get-dental-care
Adults 18-64 years old with dental treatment needs may qualify for Emergency Assistance through Ontario Works. Please contact your Ontario Works case manager at 905-546-4800 for more information.
Low income seniors 65 and older can receive free routine dental services, including dentures through the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP). Call us at 905-546-2424 ext 3789 or email dentalclinic@hamilton.ca for more information.
COVID-19 Vaccines are available for free for everyone. You can book an appointment or learn more about vaccines at www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7 for vaccine clinic information. Translation is available.
If you have a long-term physical disability, you can get help paying for equipment and supplies through the Assistive Devices Program.
Employment counsellors are paid by the government to help you find employment. They can assist you with your job search skills, resume and preparing for interviews. They can connect you to mentorship opportunities, bridging programs, job placement opportunities and more.
To work in Canada, you must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), which you can apply for at one of the Service Ontario locations in Hamilton
Ontario has laws and regulations to protect employees, including Employment Standards Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act. Learn more here.
Workforce Planning Hamilton has a job board where you can find employment opportunities in the Hamilton area: www.workforceplanninghamilton.ca/jobs. For more information on how to navigate Hamilton’s Largest Job Board, please contact info@workforceplanninghamilton.ca.
Interpretation services are available for newcomers who are not proficient in Canada’s official languages. Many organizations and institutions in Hamilton provide interpretation services for their clients. There are also certified translation services available to help newcomers get documents translated, including legal, immigration or educational documents (usually for a fee).
Hamilton has free public schools from kindergarten to grade 12. Many schools provide extra supports to help newcomer children adapt to schooling in Canada. Some public schools, postsecondary institutions and newcomer serving organizations provide language classes to learn English or French.
Publicly-funded schools are managed by district school boards. Hamilton has two English language public school boards: Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) and Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB).
For registration with the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB), follow these steps:
Step 1: Contact Assessment Clerk at 905-525-2930 ext 2006
Step 2: Complete the online HWCDSB Registration Form
Step 3: Have the registration documents ready to bring with you to the school
Step 4: Connect with the school to arrange an appointment to bring the documentation and complete the registration process. The following are documents required for registration, but if you are missing any of these documents, HWCDSB will ensure there is no delay in the process: 1. Status Documentation (i.e. Permanent Resident card, Electronic Travel Authorization, etc.); 2. Student(s) passport and/or birth certificate; 3. Proof of residency in the City of Hamilton; and 4. Previous school report card (secondary only, if available).
For registration with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), follow these steps:
Step 1: Contact the HWDSB Welcome Centre at 905-521-2554 to arrange a time for children to meet with a teacher for an English language assessment.
Step 2: Complete online HWDSB Registration Form
Step 3: Prepare these documents for school registration: parent and child’s passport, immigration documents (work permit or visitor record), proof of address, such as a lease, and child’s transcript (secondary only, if available. Even if you do not have all the required documents, continue with the registration process.
Step 4: Connect with the school to arrange an appointment to bring the documentation and complete the registration process. Online registration forms can be found below:
Junior and senior kindergarten
If you would like to pursue postsecondary education in a university or college in Ontario, you may be eligible for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to cover the cost of your education as well as living expenses while studying.
Childcare centres offer care for children while their parents work or study.
There are different types of childcare available in Ontario:
Licensed childcare centre
Licensed home childcare
Before-school and after-school care
Unlicensed care
To learn more about the different types of childcare and how they are regulated, or to search for licensed childcare for your children, visit the Ontario Ministry of Education website
The City of Hamilton offers financial support for childcare to assist low-income families with their childcare expenses
To look for licensed centre-based or home-based childcare in Hamilton, visit the Hamilton Child Care Registry
There are long waitlists for childcare spots in Hamilton.
There are many transportation options to get around the city or travel outside the city. Hamilton has public buses and dedicated bike lanes within the city as well as train and bus services to other cities. Public transit is wheelchair accessible, and there are special transportation services for people living with disabilities.
Hamilton has a network of bike lanes across the city. You can rent a bike from many Bike Share locations. To learn more, visit hamilton.socialbicycles.com.
Volunteer-based ethnic associations in Hamilton provide support, programs and activities to increase your sense of belonging and connections in the community. Members often share a common language and culture.
Food banks provide free food to low-income individuals and families, including those who are on Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
The Food Access Guide also lists places in Hamilton, Ontario where you can receive free or low-cost food.
There are many recreation centres across the city that offer both outdoor and indoor programs and opportunities to play sports.
The City of Hamilton offers recreation programs and services for families and residents at many pools, arenas, and centres across the city. Programs include open drop-in programs (swimming, ice skating, open gym), registered instructed programs (swimming lessons, fitness classes, sports classes), and community programs (golf, programming on parks).
General information about recreation facilities and programs – www.hamilton.ca/recreation
Drop in programs – www.hamilton.ca/recreation/drop-in-programs
Registered programs – www.hamilton.ca/recreation/registered-programs
Recreation facility locations – www.hamilton.ca/recreation/locations
Golf locations – www.hamilton.ca/golf-hamilton
The Park Finder tool allows you to search for a park near you
The Recreation Assistance Program provides free passes and discounts for individuals and families with a low income. For more information, visit www.hamilton.ca/recreation/recreation-assistance-program
To contact City of Hamilton’s Recreation: Email: recreation@hamilton.ca Phone: 905-546-2424 ext 3747
You can also check out events, festivals, museums and natural attractions in the city at Tourism Hamilton.
Volunteering is a good way to meet new people, develop new skills, learn about Canadian culture, and become engaged in the community. Hospitals, libraries, schools and community organizations often offer opportunities to volunteer.
Hamilton has programs and supports for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in the city. These include connecting with business development consultants, training opportunities, mentorship opportunities, funding and more.
The Hamilton Business Centre provides information, tools, and resources that entrepreneurs need to start and grow their businesses in Hamilton. Visit investinhamilton.ca/hamilton-business-centre.
There are organizations across the city that provide counselling for newcomers who experience a crisis. They provide emotional support, safe spaces and tips on how to cope with stress. Additionally, there are specific supports available for newcomers who experience gender-based violence.
In an emergency where someone may be hurt (for example serious medical problems, fire, or to report crime in progress) call 911.
Specific services and supports are available for newcomers who identify as LGBTQ. These services can include access to safe spaces, social activities, educational workshops and much more.
Some services are available in a women-only setting, including but not limited to programs for new mothers, pregnant women, and those wishing to exercise in a more private setting. These services may include health and mental health supports, resources and information and opportunities to build new skills or access accommodation, food and baby items.
Every person in Ontario has the right to be free from racial, religious, and other forms of discrimination, including in public spaces, at workplaces, and when accessing services. There are services and supports to help victims of discrimination file a complaint or report an incident.
The Ontario Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination against people based on: age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status (including single status), gender identity, gender expression, receipt of public assistance (in housing only), record of offences (in employment only), sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding), and sexual orientation.
Visit www.ohrc.on.ca to learn more.
Visit the Hamilton For All campaign to learn how to promote inclusion and fight against hate and discrimination.