Get this information before or immediately after moving to Canada

Hi All,

Continuing with my series of articles on moving to Canada, today I share with you, what to do, preferably before moving to Canada. Use the power of the net to fullest possible to get this information. If you have any friends and relatives over there, they would be added advantage, but generally internet is able to give you full information.

And one thing, references in Canada are a big help, ALWAYS and more so during your initial period. These would help you in getting jobs, loans, and so on. Don’t hesitate to use help of friends, those who are willing. You would get all sorts of experiences, some helping more than your expectation and some faring far lesser.

So get on to the net and get this information. The one that you can not do right away, get that with in three days of landing there to get to settle faster.

1. Find a place to stay
2. Where to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), find a place near you. Generally there are up to 4 centers in a city.
3. Where to apply for a Health Card (OHIP)
4. Where to apply for the Child Tax Benefit
5. Select a banker to open a bank account. Remember banking there is slight different than India. You may have to choose banker even depending upon cheques you need in a month and so on.
6. Get information about finding a job
7. Find the Settlement Agency closest to your home
8. Find the Community Health Centre closest to your home
9. Find the Employment Resource Centre closest to your home
10. Find the Public Library closest to your home
11. Get information on your rights as an employee and a tenant
12. Find out how to start your children in school
13. Get maps of streets and find out about bus routes
14. Find an English class for you and your family
15. Find out where to shop

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SETTLE IN CANADA?
It may cost more than you think. Citizenship and Immigration Canada asks you to show “proof of funds” when you arrive. They want you to prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada.

But the amount of money they want you to have is probably not enough for you to have a life like you had in your country. Many newcomers do not find a job for many months. It will take time for you to make your new life here the way you want it.

When you get an apartment, you must pay the first and the last month’s rent before you move in. Some apartments have furniture, but most do not. You must buy furniture for your apartment. You may have to buy winter clothes. You have to pay for transportation, telephone, food, medicines, entertainment…

The list of things to pay for is long.

You should find out how much it costs to live in the city you want to settle in.

Bring as much money as possible just to make it easier during your first months.