For full directory of "How to" listings on different topics, see here

This listing gives an overview of services to assist newcomers to Canada, and is an index to related listings in this directory 

• for comprehensive information, please see the Halton Newcomer InfoPod

DRIVER'S LICENCE:  

A newcomer to Ontario can use a valid licence from another province, state or country for 60 days

• after 60 days, a newcomer must switch to an Ontario driver’s licence
• for more information on driver's licences for newcomers, see Ministry of Transportation website
• to apply for an Ontario driver's licence, go to a Drivetest Centre (for locations, see full listings here)

HEALTH INSURANCE:

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) provides publicly-funded health care for residents of Ontario

• for more information, see separate listing here
• to apply for OHIP, go to a ServiceOntario Service Counter (for locations, see full listings here)

Interim Federal Health Program provides limited, temporary coverage of health-care benefits for specific groups of people in Canada who do not have provincial, territorial, or private health-care coverage

• for more information, see Government of Canada website

IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP:  

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada facilitates the arrival of immigrants, provides protection to refugees, and offers programming to help newcomers settle in Canada

• also grants citizenship and issues travel documents (such as passports) to Canadians
• for more information, see Government of Canada website

Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship test is used by newcomers to study for the citizenship test

• the publication is available online to read, listen to, or download
• a free print copy can be ordered online or by calling 1-888-567-7183
• also available to borrow at some library locations

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL FOR NEWCOMERS  

For Community Information Centres throughout Halton that maintain information about the full range of human services and which function as the primary source of information about and linkage to human service providers in the community, see here

• for help in languages other than English, dial 2-1-1 to reach 211 Ontario, which uses data from the Halton Community Services Directory and has live translation services in more than 150 languages

Settlement.org 

INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION:

For a list of organizations that may provide this service, see full listings here 

• may be a fee for document translation

LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION - ESL, FSL AND LINC:

Programs that offer opportunities to learn listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with an emphasis on developing the level of communication competence that is essential for adults who are living in a setting in which English or French is the primary language

• for more information, see separate listing here

NEWCOMER SETTLEMENT SERVICES:

Free services for newcomers to Canada are funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to provide advice and help on: 

• looking for a job
• getting a language assessment
• registering for language classes
• finding a place to live
• signing children up for school
• learning about community services

Available in Burlington, Halton Hills, Oakville, Milton and surrounding areas

Contact organization for information

Varies by program