Living in Canada

Weather

Canada is a large country, so temperatures vary from Province to Province, from region to region. The temperature can be different even within the same region. Usually, January is the coldest month of the year and July is the warmest.

Most of the Canadian Provinces would have 4 seasons:
   - SPRING - MARCH 20 TO JUNE 20
   - SUMMER - JUNE 21 TO SEPTEMBER 21
   - FALL (ALSO CALLED AUTUMN) - SEPTEMBER 22 TO DECEMBER 20
   - WINTER - DECEMBER 21 TO MARCH 19

Winters in Canada can be cold and snowy. If you come from a warm country, you might be surprised by how cold it can get. Winter is a time for fun in the snow, but it is important to learn about the dangers of the cold and how to stay warm.

Health

The Government of Canada and the provincial Governments collect taxes to pay for medical services and health insurance for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Live-in Caregivers. The Provincial Health Insurance Plan pays for most basic and emergency health services for residents of the Province.

The Medical services offered under the Plan are FREE of charge.

The Provincial Health Insurance Plan does not pay for the cost of medication or dental services. Health care service providers, like doctors, hospitals and walk-in clinics, will check your Health Card each time you visit. It is important to always carry your Health Card so you can receive medical help in an emergency.

You CANNOT get a health card until after you have lived in the Province for 3 months (for most of the Provinces).

Education

In many Provinces, like Ontario, the law says all children from 6 to 18 years old must go to school. But most children begin school in a kindergarten class when they are 4 or 5 years old. Children begin grade 1 around age 6.

Kindergarten to grade 8 is called elementary school. Grades 9-12 are called secondary school or high school.

You must register your children at the local school or school board. Call the local school board to find the location of the nearest school and how to register your child. Some high schools have special programs. If your child will start in high school, you can ask about these at your local school or school board.

All children can attend school. Immigration status of children, their parents or legal guardian does not stop children from attending school.

The school year begins the day after Labour Day in September and finishes at the end of June. Each school board decides whether children can enter a school after the school year has started.

Education at Public Elementary or Secondary schools is FREE of charge.

Learning English

When you arrive, you might want to improve your English skills. If you can communicate easily in English, it will help you to settle in most of the Provinces.

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is a free English program for new immigrants to Canada.

To register for LINC classes, you must go to a LINC Assessment Centre. The LINC Assessment Centre will test your language level and help you register with a LINC school.

Staff at the centre will test your listening, speaking, reading and writing. The test takes 1-3 hours. The higher your language level, the longer the test takes. The LINK Classes are FREE of Charge.