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Arrival
Survival Canada - CONTENTS
1.
Welcome to
Canada - general
information regarding the country's history, geography,
climate, government, and population demographics.
This will not be an exhaustive look at Canada, but
is intended to be a brief introduction to assist newcomers
in orienting themselves into a totally new world
2.
What to Know Before You Go - while the
thrust of this book is to help immigrants adjust once
they have arrived on Canadian shores, we are including
some tips that might help the immigrant preparing
to move to Canada. For example, how much easier it
would be for an immigrant to obtain important documents
such as vaccination certificates and letters of reference
prior to leaving his or her country. This chapter
includes information on what to pack, how to obtain
documents, arrange financial matters, insure goods
being sent, cost of moving, and average cost of supporting
your family in Canada for the first few crucial months.
3.First
Things First - Upon arrival in the country
the new immigrant needs to attend to a myriad of details
immediately. This chapter will help them prioritize
those necessities, without getting into details on
how to do them (the details follow in subsequent chapters):
how to find a place to live; how to obtain medical
insurance; how to obtain a Social Insurance Number;
how to enroll kids in school; how to obtain a bank
account and safety deposit box; an explanation of
bank service fees; and the basics of moving about
a city using public transportation.
4.Medical
Coverage - How to obtain medical insurance
and extended benefits, finding a family doctor, familiarizing
yourself with medical clinics and hospitals near your
home, understanding when and how to use the emergency
room of a hospital, understanding how the Ambulance
Service works in Canada and how to summons an ambulance,
choosing a dentist, getting a referral to a medical
specialist, using the services of a chiropractor.
5.Driving
in Canada - How to obtain a driver's license,
driving lessons, basic rules of the road (speeding,
radar, drinking and driving, flashing lights, four-way
stops, emergency vehicles, pedestrian right of way),
courtesy on the road; how motor vehicle insurance
is handled; how to obtain a reliable mechanic. How
to buy a car, avoid fraud and transfer car title.
6.Education
- Description of various levels of educational institutions,
including pre-school, elementary school, high schools,
colleges, universities and technical and art schools,
as well as a summary of ESL programs and description
of night school courses. Includes where to get information
and how to enroll.
7.Finding
a Job - Where to begin; resume preparation,
letters of reference, obtaining educational diplomas
and certificates from your native country. Checking
with Employment Offices, newspapers, volunteer organizations,
searching the Web and networking your friends and
acquaintances. Your Rights as a Worker -- How to keep
a job, and your rights to minimum wage, holiday pay,
maternity and paternity leave, and Workers Compensation
Board.
8.Smart
Consumerism - Budgeting for Your New Life.
An overview of what to expect in the way of housing
costs, groceries, electricity and gas services, telephone
service, television cable costs, clothing and general
consumer tips.
9.Banking,
Credit & Insurance - How to open a
bank account and conduct day-to-day banking services;
How to create and keep a good credit rating, including
how to obtain credit cards, and how to check on your
own credit rating. Insuring your apartment or house;
life insurance; disability and term insurance; some
common frauds and how to be on the alert for them.
10.Assistance
Available - A summary of the kinds of programs
available in most communities to help newcomers, including
ESL classes, financial assistance, introduction to
Welcome Wagon, newcomers clubs, community centers,
treatment centers for battered spouse and child abuse,
drug and alcohol treatment centers, crisis center,
day care and babysitting services.
11.
Taxes - A summary of Canada's income tax
requirements, including your responsibility to file,
when and how, and benefits, including Canada Pension
Plan, Old Age Security, GAIN, and Child Tax Benefits.
12.
The Law and You - A basic explanation of
your rights and responsibilities under the Canadian
Constitution, including a description of Canada's
criminal and civil code and court procedures, as well
as your rights to legal representation.
13.
Accommodation - How to find rental accommodation,
co-op housing, subsidized housing, basics of buying
a house and obtaining a mortgage.
14.Becoming
a Citizen - How does this happen? Who is
eligible? What does it mean? When to apply?
15.Customs
16.Websites/Email
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