The Street Car Rolling down the lane in Downtown Toronto.

The Canadian SIN Card, a requirement for all who are looking to be employed in companies.

Don’t let your excitement change to fear as you face the challenges of settling down in this country. Most people tend to find accommodation for a couple of weeks with their relatives or friends although it’s best that you prepare yourself to find your own place as quickly as possible. Life here is quite different from what we are used to in Sri Lanka. People hardly have time for others. Your First year will be emotional and full of change as you dedicate your time to find a place to live, a job, and schools for your children. It will not be unusual to find yourself feeling anxious or afraid, especially during the first few days and weeks but the trick is to stay calm and execute your plan to make Canada your home. After a year or so you’ll feel a sense of belonging but you’ll miss and begin to appreciate Sri Lanka.

Your First Week - Getting the Ball Rolling

Transportation

If you don’t have a family member or a friend to help you travel around to get your documentation in place, do not worry!

The transportation system in this country is one of the best in world. There are buses that run through out a particular city ( Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver etc) covering almost every area and they arrive at a bus stop at a prescribed time. The schedule is usually attached to a pole by the Bus stop and it clearly mentions the various times that the bus would appear at the stop with its route in way of a simple map. In major cities such as Toronto you would find many options in addition to a bus.

There are TTC trains called the ‘SUBWAY’ that connects various part of the city with the central down town core. The SUBWAY is used by millions and it is very clean and fast. By paying a fare of $2.75 you can travel quite a distance, one way. Millions use the subway to get to work, find jobs, attend training programs, meet friends, etc. You may also purchase a monthly pass like the season pass that will cost you around $110 a month. This will allow you unlimited access to busses, subways, street cars of a particular city. Please clarify this at the point of purchase from the person at the counter for what the pass permits.

Taxis : you may also use a cab that runs on a meter giving the exact amount payable to a certain trip. Taxis take cash, debit & Credit Cards. Please check with the driver on all necessary information before you take a trip. The cab driver has to provide you with a clean seat, smoke free and all your rights are usually displayed right before your eyes in way of a notice. Quite different from getting into a three wheeler and getting the days work done!

Apply For Important Documents

Apply for your Social Insurance Number – A must have to be employed

It is very important to apply for a Social Insurance Number for you to be eligible to work in Canada. This is a nine-digit number that you will need to look for a job and to receive government benefits in case you’re here as a refugee. Sometimes, you will hear people call it the SIN number. You can get a SIN application form through the Human Resources Centre near you. These centers are run by the government of Canada. You can also get a form through your local immigrant-serving organization or from the post office, or on the Internet at www.servicecanada.gc.ca. The SIN card will be sent to you in the mail. There is a small fee for processing the application.

Apply for your Health Insurance Card – Free for all

It is very important that you apply for a health insurance card as soon as possible. All members of your family, even newborn babies, must have their own card. You can get an application form from the provincial ministry of health office, any doctor’s office, a hospital or a pharmacy. To apply for a health card, you will need your birth certificate or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292) and passport. The permanent resident card may also be presented. In most provinces, you will receive coverage as soon as you apply and in some cases coverage will be effective 3 months after your entry to Canada.

Here’s what it Covers

Examination and treatment by family doctors (GP) / many types of surgery/ most treatment by specialists/ hospital care / X-rays/ many laboratory tests and most immunizations. As certain things like Ambulance services, Prescription drugs are not covered it is essential that you inquire from the health ministry as to what is covered and not covered.