33 City Centre Drive Suite 545 ON Canada L5B 2N5

Phone: 905-306-9588 Toll Free: 1-800-431-7774 Fax: 905-306-9590 Email: [email protected]

Funded by the Government of Canada through Citizenship and Immigration Canada www.phdtrain.com Acknowledgements 1 Acknowledgements 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services Shalini da Cunha, Executive Director Shalini da Cunha, Executive originally printed in April 2007. originally printed Halton, 2009 edition. The guide was Halton, 2009 The content for this updated edition was edition was The content for this updated developed in consultation with managementdeveloped in consultation Peel Halton Workforce Development Group Development Halton Workforce Peel and front-line staff of newcomer-serving staff of newcomer-serving and front-line (PHWDG) is pleased to provide you with the pleased to provide you (PHWDG) is Newcomer’s Guide to Services in Peel and and Peel Guide to Services in Newcomer’s The Peel Halton Workforce Development Group Development Workforce Halton The Peel importantly, input was gathered from new input was gathered from new importantly, agencies in Peel and Halton regions. Most and Halton regions. Most agencies in Peel immigrants who are the primary users of this guide. immigrants who are the We hope this guide will serve you well and we welcome any hope this guide will serve you well and we welcome any We feedback you may have. • of Technology and Advanced Learning • Sheridan College of Technology • Halton Multicultural Council • Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre • COSTI Immigrant Services • Catholic Cross-Cultural Services • ACCES Employment Services • ACCES We wish to thank the following partners that had representation and We development of this participated on the advisory committee in the guide: The PHWDG would like to thank Citizenship & Immigration Canada The PHWDG would like to thank Citizenship & Immigration made it possible for providing funding for this project. The funding and Punjabi to update the guide; translate the guide into French, and distribute over Chinese; graphically design the guide and print 105,000 copies. The consultations and focus groups were enlightening and provided The consultations and focus of this guide. a foundation for the content TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS What’s in this guide What’s in this guide

Where you live Education & Training What’s inthisguide What’s in this guide Welcome to Peel and Halton 4 Adult Education 58 About Your Region and City 5 High School Diploma for Adults 59 Academic Upgrading: Improve Your Math, Reading, Writing 60 Train for a New Job 62 Your first weeks in Canada Colleges and Universities 63 Where to Find Help and Information 9 Learn While You Get Paid 64 Local Newspapers 10 Libraries 11 Driving Find Help in Your Own Language 12 Get Your Driver’s License 65 Find a Place to Live/Rent 14 Buy a Car 68 Get a Phone/Mobile Phone 17 Seat Belts and Car Seats 69 Open a Bank Account 18 Drinking and Driving Law 69 Register Your Child in School 19 Apply for a Health Card (OHIP) 20 How to travel in your city Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) 22 Buses and Trains 70 Apply for the Child Tax Benefit 24 Taxis, Bikes, and Walking 72 Change Important Papers into English (Translation) 24 Shopping 25 Doctors & Hospitals Help for your family Find a Doctor 74 Counselling 26 Find a Dentist 74 Parents 27 Hospitals 75 Child Care 29 Healthy Living 76 Women 30 Teenagers/Youth 32 Money Seniors 35 Emergency Help 77 Disabilities 37 Taxes 79 Gay/Lesbian/Transgendered 39 Credit Counselling 80

Get help to find a job Emergency Employment Resource Centres 40 Emergency Phone Numbers 81 Employment Assessment Centres 41 Help if You Don’t Have a Place to Live 83 Programs & Services 42 Help if You Can’t Buy Food 85 Meet People (called “networking”) 45 Get Legal Help/Find a Lawyer 87 Get Canadian Work Experience 47 Lost or Stolen Identification 88 Volunteer 48 What to Do When Someone Dies 90 Learn Business English 49 Get Your License/Certificate 51 Family Fun Get Your Education Documents Evaluated 53 Canadian Holidays 92 Start Your Own Business 54 Outdoors 92 Recreation Centres 94 Learn English Find a School to Learn English 55 Make Friends Test Your English Level 56 Say “Hello” 95 Learn English for Your Occupation 57 Make Canadian Friends 95 Ethno-Cultural Groups 96

2 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 3 WHERE YOU LIVE WHERE YOU LIVE Welcome To Peel And Halton About Your Region And City

This is a time in your life full of new adventures, About Your Region AndCity Welcome To Peel And Halton In , there are many different kinds of meeting new people, and learning a different organizations that can help you. language and culture. This is also a time when you might be feeling scared and alone; there Businesses: is so much to do when you move to a new You have to pay for their products/services. country! Only a few businesses are listed in this guide. You are not alone. Non-Profit Organizations: This guide has been created to help you and We have listed many non-profit organizations your family. It is a guide to help you quickly in this guide. These organizations get money find the organizations and resources you from the government or from donations to need to live in your new community. It is a help people living in their community. Their guide that lists many organizations that can services are free, but not everyone can help you for free. attend; you must be “eligible”, which means In Canada, you have the choice they have rules about who they can help to do everything on your own… and who they cannot help (for example, but you don’t have to. a program that gets money from the There will be good days in your new city, but government to help women can only help sometimes there will be difficult days. There women). will be days you can’t imagine living anywhere Government: else; there will also be days you will think about going “back home”. There will be days All levels of government have services. you will want to take care of things alone, but Sometimes the government provides the there will also be days when you need some service directly (for example, “Employment help. The organizations listed in this guide Insurance” when you lose your job) but many are ready to help you make the changes to “We may have all “Without a sense of times they give the money to “non-profit” Canadian life much easier! organizations to provide the service. We come on different caring, there have listed some government resources in ships, but we're in can be no sense of this guide. the same boat community." now.” Anthony D'Angelo Martin Luther King, Jr.

4 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 5 WHERE YOU LIVE WHERE YOU LIVE About Your Region And City About Your Region And City About Your Region AndCity

About Your Region And City There are three levels of government in Canada: If you live in Mississauga, or Caledon, you live in Peel Region. Federal Government Peel Region City of Brampton This government is for all of Canada and is responsible for 905-791-7800 905-874-2000 citizenship, foreign policy, national defence, money, banking, postal www.region.peel.on.ca TTY 905-874-2130 (hearing impaired) service, etc. City of Mississauga www.brampton.ca 1-800-O CANADA (1-800-622-6232) 905-896-5000 TTY 905-896-5151 Town of Caledon www.canada.gc.ca (hearing impaired) 905-584-2272 or www.mississauga.ca 1-888-CALEDON www.town.caledon.on.ca

Provincial Government This government is responsible for health, child welfare, municipal If you live in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, or Oakville, you live in government, highways, labour, education, etc. Each province or Halton Region. territory has its own provincial/territorial government. Halton Region Town of Milton For Ontario, the contact information is: 1-866-442-5866 905-878-7252 or TTY 905-827-9833 1-800-418-5494 416-326-1234 or 1-800-267-8097 (hearing impaired) TTY 905-878-1657 www.halton.ca (hearing impaired) TTY 416-325-3408 or TTY 1-800-268-7095 (hearing impaired) www.milton.ca City of Burlington www.ontario.ca 905-335-7777 or Town of Halton Hills 1-877-213-3609 905-873-2601 www.burlington.ca www.town.halton-hills.on.ca

Municipal Government Town of Oakville 905-845-6601 This government is at the local level and is responsible for fire TTY 905-338-4200 departments, police, libraries, transportation, local health issues, (hearing impaired) garbage collection, etc. There are many local levels of government www.oakville.ca that are divided into “regions”. Did you know? Do you know what region you live in? When you see a phone number that has TTY beside it, it means this is a special phone number for people who are deaf or have a hearing loss. TTY stands for “teletypewriter”. It is a small machine that people can use to type instead of talking on the phone. Do not dial a TTY phone number if you do not have this machine or do not have a hearing loss.

6 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 7 WHERE YOU LIVE YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA Map Of Peel And Halton Region Where To Find Help And Information

Phone or visit any of the information centres listed below, or go to Where To FindHelpAndInformation Map Of Peel And Halton Region one of these websites. All have information about living and working in your community. They also have staff (some that may speak your language) that can help you find what you need quickly.

NEWCOMER INFORMATION WEBSITES INFORMATION CENTRES www.tcet.com/nic New to Ontario: www.settlement.org Brampton: www.ontarioimmigration.ca 263 Queen Street East, Unit 14, 905-595-0722, ext. 4000 New to Peel Region: www.immigrationpeel.ca Brampton: 7700 , Suite 300, 905-457-4747, ext. 3013 List of non-profit organizations in Peel Region: Mississauga: http://peel.cioc.ca 2 Robert Speck Pkwy Suite 800, 905-279-0024, ext. 1266 List of non-profit organizations in Halton Region: Mississauga: www.hipinfo.info 3233 Brandon Gate Drive, Unit 7, 905- 677-0007, ext. 233 “Information is the Caledon:Caledon Library (Tuesdays only, call for details), 416-458-9624 seed for an idea, and

Oakville:Oakville Mews Mall, only grows when it's 171 Speers Road, Unit 20, 416-524-3085 watered.” Heniz Bergen

Dial 211 Helpful Advice For non-emergency information about Do you need to use a computer and programs and services in Peel or Halton,Internet? There are many places you can dial this number. You can speak to a go to use a computer for free. Try your person who can help you. Or go online local library, employment resource to: www.211ontario.ca centre, or ask a “settlement” agency listed on page 12 of this guide.

8 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 9 YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA Local Newspapers Libraries

One of the best ways to learn about Canadian culture and what’s Your local library is a great place to get information, use a computer, Libraries Local Newspapers happening in your city or town is to read the newspaper. And don’t relax, and have fun. It’s great for people of all ages! Below is a list of forget to read the business section too; you can learn a lot about the “central” locations, but there are many more locations. Contact companies and job opportunities! the library in your city or town to find the location closest to you. To find newspapers in your language go to: www.nepmcc.ca - Caledon-Albion/Bolton Milton Public Library The Independent & Free Press Four Corners Branch Branch 45 Bruce Street, 905-875-2665 (Georgetown) 65 Queen Street East, 150 Queen Street South, www.northpeel.com 905-793-4636 905-857-1400 www.mpl.on.ca www.independentfreepress.com www.bramlib.on.ca www.caledon.library.on.ca Burlington Post Mississauga Library- Burlington Public Library- Halton Hills Public Library-Central Branch www.burlingtonpost.com Mississauga News Central Branch Georgetown Branch 301 Burnhamthorpe Road www.mississauganews.com 2331 New Street, West, 905-615-3500 905-639-3611 9 Church Street, www.mississauga.ca/portal/ The Canadian www.bpl.on.ca 905-873-2681 Star www.library.hhpl.on.ca residents/library Champion (Milton) www.thestar.com Oakville Public Library- Oakville Beaver Central Branch www.haltonsearch.com Toronto Sun 120 Navy Street, 905-815-2042 www.torontosun.com www.opl.on.ca Globe & Mail “Books are the quietest and most www.theglobeandmail.com constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of Web Resource counsellors, and the most patient You can find newspapers throughout Canada and around the world. Go to: of teachers.” www.world-newspapers.com/ontario.html Charles W. Eliot

10 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 11 YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA Find Help In Your Own Language Find Help In Your Own Language

Starting a new life in a new country can be difficult; there’s so much (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION CON’T Find HelpInYour OwnLanguage Find Help In Your Own Language to do! There are a lot of agencies that can help you, and it’s all free. We call these agencies “settlement” agencies because they help Peel Multicultural Council Mississauga:Malton Community Centre, Mississauga:Meadowvale Christian Academy you with almost everything you need to live in your new city. Many Malton3540 Neighbourhood Morning Star Drive,Services 905-677-6270 Building, 6630 Turner Valley Road, settlement agencies have staff that can speak in your language and Brampton:3975 Cottrelle Blvd, Units 8,9,10, 905-819-1144 in English. When you speak with a settlement worker, he or she will 905-794-7111 www.peelmc.com always keep your information private. www.mnsinfo.org Polycultural Immigrant and Community Newcomer Centre of Peel Services PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Mississauga:165 Dundas Street West, Mississauga:Sheridan Centre, Lower Level, Suite 200, 905-306-0577, ext. 227 2225 Erin Mills Parkway, 905-403-8860 Afghan Women’s Organization Brampton Neighbourhood Resource www.palc.ca www.polycultural.org Mississauga:3050 Confederation Parkway, Centre Mezzanine 1, Brampton:30 Kennedy Road South, Unit 14, Peel Career Assessment Services Inc. The Cross-Cultural Community Services 905-279-3679 ext. 22 905-453-4622 Mississauga:975 Meyerside Drive, Association (TCCSA) www.afghanwomen.org Brampton:Kennedy Square Mall, 50 Kennedy 905-670-1967 888 Dundas Street East, Unit B6-1, Road South, Unit 24, 905-452-1262 www.peelcareer.com 905-615-9500 African Community Services of Peel Brampton:Springdale Village Plaza, 2260 www.tccsa.on.ca Brampton:20 Nelson Street, Bovaird Drive East, Unit 101, Lower Level, Suite 102, 905-792-1641 905-460-9514 www.bnrc.org (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION www.africancommunityservices.com Catholic Crosscultural Services Halton Multicultural Council The Centre for Skills Development & Audmax Inc. Oakville:1092 Speers Road, Brampton:8 Nelson Street West, Suite 302, Training Mississauga: 905-842-2486, ext. 225 Emerald Centre, 10 Kingsbridge 905-457-7740 Burlington:Bay Area Learning Centre, Garden Circle, Suite 501, 905-615-1188 www.halton-multicultural.org Mississauga:3660 Hurontario Street, 7th Floor, 860 Harrington Court, www.audmaxinc.com 905-273-4140 905-333-3499 ext.196 www.ccspeel.org Milton:Southview Plaza, 550 Ontario Street, Brampton Multicultural Community “Other people may be there to 905-693-8103 ext. 204 Centre Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre Oakville:Pilgrim's Way Plaza, 1395 Abbeywood help us, teach us, guide us along Drive, 905-847-8345 ext. 2 Brampton: 150 Central Park Drive, Suite 107, Mississauga:1420 Burnhamthorpe Road East, 905-790-8482 Unit 315, 905-629-1873 our , but the lesson to be www.thecentre.on.ca Mississauga:3190 Ridgeway Drive, Unit 35, www.dixiebloor.ca 905-828-1328 learned is always ours.” www.bmccentre.org India Rainbow Community Services of Unknown Peel Mississauga:3038 Hurontario Street, Suite 206, 905-275-2369 Did you know? Brampton:9446 McLaughlin Road North, In Canada, it’s okay to ask for help. Almost everyone, not just people new to Canada, Unit 1, 905-454-2598 use the assistance of organizations to find work, get help for their family Brampton:21 Regan Road, Units H & I, 905-459-4776 and so much more! www.indiarainbow.org

12 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 13 YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA Find A Place To Live/Rent Find A Place To Live/Rent Find APlaceTo Live/Rent

Find A Place To Live/Rent Rent an Apartment/House/Condominium Buy a House/Condominium The cost of “housing” will be your biggest expense. Take your time Houses and condominiums can be purchased using a real estate to look for something that fits the needs of your family and that you agent or privately. Most people use a real estate agent. To find an can afford. Have someone read all contracts before you sign! You agent, you can ask people you know for a referral; you can call don’t want to get into a contract (called a “lease”) you are not happy directly when you see a house with a “for sale” sign on it; or you with. can go online at: www.mls.ca and click on “Realtor Search”. When you rent, be prepared to pay “first and last months’ rent”; this To learn all about buying a house, visit any of these websites: means you will have to pay two months’ amount of rent all at once. The Newcomer’s Guide to Canadian Housing (free information) Many leases are one year long. This is called a “rental agreement”. In a rental agreement, you are called the “tenant” and the owner of www.cmhc.ca/en/co/buho/index.cfm or call 1-800-668-2642 the building is called the “landlord”. You can also visit www.settlement.org/site/HO/buyahouse.asp To find a place to rent, you can: • Find help in your language; see page 12 for a list of “settlement” agencies that can give you some good ideas about renting in your city • Read your local newspaper; look in the “classifieds” section Did you know? Your landlord must wait 12 months before increasing your rent, and must give you • Ask people you know 90 days notice of the rent increase • Drive or walk around the area where you want to live; take a look • at the apartment buildings in your area and write down the phone If you pay your rent by the month, the landlord can only ask you for a deposit of numbers of the ones you want to look at; you can call them directly no more than one month’s rent; and if you pay rent weekly, the landlord can only and make an appointment to see the apartment ask for a deposit of no more than one week’s rent • When you move out, you must take everything, or your landlord can sell, keep, “The most important give away, or throw out anything you leave behind work you and I will • ever do will be within Remember to ask your landlord for the interest on your last month’s rent when you move out. the walls of our own Web Resources To learn your rights as a tenant (renter) visit: home.” www.settlement.org/site/HO/rights.asp Harold B. Lee For more information about renting, go to: www.settlement.org/site/HO/renting.asp

14 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 15 Get A Phone/Mobile Phone 17 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services Get A Phone/Mobile Phone Phone/Mobile Get A long distance (with your home phone package) can buy one at most stores, including “ethnic” grocery stores (stores with your native country’s food) If you don’t have a permanent don’t have If you you may want to place to live, phone (also called get a mobile Like anything a “cell phone”). help and lots of else, get some sign a information before you may phone contract that you are have to keep for years! There make so many choices today; you sure you are getting what afford. need and what you can Check this website for comparisons prices: of mobile phones and www.cellphones.ca Long Distance Calling How much long distance calling will you do? Think about: a monthly amount for Paying • Getting a calling card; you • phone Rogers Rogers Cogeco www.bell.ca www.bell.ca Bell Canada www.rogers.com www.cogeco.com Did you know? 905-333-5343 1-888-764-3771 “press the pound key”. “press the pound key”. When you listen to an automated 310-2355 (no area code) This is the number sign (#) on your phone system, you might hear it say means you pay for a home phone, internet and mobile phone in one package (and it may be cheaper) phones that you may or may not want; be careful with your choices; you don’t have to get everything they are trying to sell you Mobile Phone Home Phone Home phone companies The three biggest in Ontario are: Some things to think about Some things to think about before you get your phone: can get a “bundle”; this • You • “extras” with There are many 1151 Bronte Road, 1151 Bronte Road, 5 Wellington Street East, 5 Wellington 905-453-1300 www.peelregion.ca/housing www.peelregion.ca/housing www.halton.ca/scs/Housing/hatch www.halton.ca/scs/Housing/hatch Oakville: Peel Access to Housing (PATH) Access Peel responsible for subsidized housing: Brampton: 905-825-6000 or 1-866-442-5866 Halton Access to Community Housing (HATCH) You can also contact the government agencies can also contact the You (for example a church) the co-opby the people who live in (called the “tenants”) people years before an apartment/house becomes wait 10+ available! a “subsidy” the government pays the rest to the landlord as Find A Place To Live/Rent Place To Find A Housing Subsidized cannot low incomes and and families who have Individuals for apartment might be eligible rental amount for an afford the total will help to pay means the government This housing. “subsidized” kinds There are four money. if you don’t have enough for your rent of subsidized housing: groups owned and managed by non-profit Housing- • Non-Profit • Co-op landlord; the building is managed there is no Housing- owned and managed by the government; many Housing- • Public Supplements-• Rent the tenant pays 30% of his/her income and help, ask one of the “settlement” agencies listed in this more For help in first weeks in Canada: Find guide under the category: “Your your own language” on page 12. 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services

Find A Place To Live/Rent 16 YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA IN WEEKS FIRST YOUR IN CANADA FIRST WEEKS YOUR YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA Open A Bank Account Register Your Child In School

You don’t need a job to open a bank account and you don’t have Register Your Child InSchool Open A Bank Account There are four kinds of government-funded school boards in Ontario. to put money in the account right away. It’s your right to have a bank Contact any one of them to register your child in school. account in Canada. But you do have to go to the bank of your choice in person and show identification and fill out papers. The English Public English Catholic French Language Public bank will explain the different accounts you can open. Ask lots of Peel District School Board Dufferin-Peel Catholic Conseil scolaire de district Call 905-366-8791 to make District School Board du Centre-Sud-Ouest questions and do what’s best for you. Be sure to ask about bank an appointment Call 905-361-2344 to make Call: 416-614-0844 or We Welcome the World fees. Depending on how much money you have in the account, you an appointment 1-888-538-1702 Centre may not have to pay any fees. Ask your family and friends about The Newcomer Reception and which bank to go to, but most banks in Canada are the same; they Mississauga: Assessment Centre French Language Catholic 100 Elm Drive West just offer different kinds of customer service, fees, etc. Brampton: Conseil scolaire de district Mississauga: St. Isaac Jogues Elementary 3131 Morning Star Drive School, 300 Great Lakes catholique Centre-Sud Brampton: Drive Call: 1-800-274-3764, 25 Kings Cross Mississauga: ext. 3600 St. Veronica Elementary There are also private School, 680 Novo Star Drive Halton District School schools in Ontario, but Board you have to pay for your Call: 905-335-3663, Halton Catholic District children to attend. For more Register Your Child In School ext. 3240 School Board information about private schools and education in In Ontario, all children from age 6 to 18 years old must go to Call: 905-632-6300 or Ontario, visit: Register Your Child In School 1-800-741-8382 school; your immigration status does not stop children from going www.edu.gov.on.ca to school. Unless your child attends a “private” school, education in Ontario is free until they finish high school. To register your child, you can: Immunization • Ask for help from one of the “settlement agencies” listed in this Also called “shots” or needles, they help to save lives and prevent guide. See page 12. serious illnesses. For children attending school in Ontario, a • Call one of the school boards in your region (Peel or Halton). written immunization record or proof of immunization is required See the list on next page. by law. When you register your child for school, you will be asked • If you live near a school, go in and talk to someone. for this document. If you have a health card, contact your family doctor who can give your children their immunization shots. If you don’t have a health card, you can call your local public health department: Peel Region Halton Region Peel Public Health Halton Region Health Department 905-799-7700; Dial 311 (If you live in Halton) ask to speak to an Immunization Nurse or call 905-825-6000 or 1-866-442-5866 TTY 905-827-9833 (hearing impaired)

18 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 19 YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA Apply For A Health Card (OHIP) Apply For A Health Card (OHIP)

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (called OHIP) is needed if you Apply ForAHealthCard(OHIP) Apply For A Health Card (OHIP) Private Health Insurance live in Ontario and want to receive free public health services. As You must wait 3 months for your Ontario health card so it is very soon as you arrive in Canada, apply for an OHIP card for you and important you get health insurance from a private company. your family (even young children and babies need an OHIP card). If someone in your family gets sick, medical costs can be very There is a 3-month waiting period before you can receive a card expensive (thousands of dollars). You must do this within 5 days of and use the Ontario health system. arriving in Canada or you may not get insured. You can ask Applying for a health card for you and your family must be done in family/friends about insurance companies or look in the yellow person. Bring three pieces of identification (they must be original pages of your local phone book under “insurance”. documents) to prove your citizenship/immigration status, identity, Community Health Centres and residency in Ontario. Anyone older than 15 years old must apply in person for an OHIP card. If you cannot afford private health insurance while you are waiting for your OHIP card, there is only one free health centre (in Peel/ In Peel and Halton there are only two locations to apply for a health Halton regions) and it only serves people living in East Mississauga. card: LAMP Community Health Centre- East Mississauga Mississauga Oakville 2555 Dixie Road, Unit 7, 905-602-4082 201 City Centre Dr, 2nd Floor Oakville Town Centre II- www.eastmississaugachc.org 905-275-2730; 220 North Service Road West TTY 905-896-6041 (hearing 905-275-2730; To learn how to find a doctor and where the hospitals are located, impaired) TTY 1-800-387-5559 go to page 75 of this guide. (hearing impaired)

Did you know? OHIP does not pay for all health services that you may need or want, including: dentist, eye care, and other services your doctor provides. Ask your doctor if a procedure is covered by OHIP. To learn all about OHIP, visit the website: www.health.gov.on.ca and click on “Health Card”. Or you can call the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long–Term Care’s INFOLine at 1-800-268-1154.

20 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 21 YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA Apply For A Social Insurance Number (SIN) Apply For A Social Insurance Number (SIN)

A social insurance number (also called a SIN) is needed for you to Apply ForASocialInsuranceNumber(SIN) Apply For A Social Insurance Number (SIN) By Mail work in Canada. This number tells the government who is earning • You must mail original documents to prove your identity, money, paying taxes, using government services, etc. such as a Permanent Resident Card or Record of Landing with Some important information about having a SIN card is: your completed application form (the government will return the • Employers, government agencies, and non-profit organizations identification documents to you) you will ask you for this number • Mail to: Social Insurance Registration, P.O. Box 7000, Bathurst, • It is illegal to work in Canada without a SIN card New Brunswick, E2A 4T1 •You need a SIN card to open a bank account or to obtain a tax credit • Your children do not need a SIN card unless they are of a working age; however, you can get one for them so that when they are Service Canada Centres ready to work, they will already have the card Service Canada Centres are operated by the federal government. It Using Your SIN Card is where you go to apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN), to apply for Employment Insurance benefits (EI), or to pick up some • Protect your SIN card; if someone steals it or you lose it, report it brochures about organizations that can help you to look for a job. immediately to the police and call 1-800-206-7218 to report it Some centres offer more services than others. Many also set up job to the government; or go to your nearest Service Canada office centres in the summer to help youth find summer jobs. for assistance (see below for a list of locations) 1-800-206-7218 • Don’t give your SIN number to just anyone! Only authorized TTY1-866-678-2785 (hearing impaired) government agencies and employers can ask for it www.servicecanada.gc.ca • Do not give your SIN number before you get the job (not even on an application form); an employer can ask to see it after you PEEL REGION HALTON REGION have been hired (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) • Do not put your SIN number on your resume or cover letter Brampton/Caledon: Burlington: • Your SIN card is attached to a lot of personal information 18 Corporation Drive, 905-790-2525 440 Elizabeth Street, 905-637-4525 about you, so it is very important to keep it private and in a Mississauga East: Georgetown: secure location 2525 Dixie Road, 905-608-7000 232 Guelph Street, 1st Floor, 905-877-6915 Mississauga West: Malton: Applying for a SIN Card In-Person 3085 Glen Erin Drive, 905-608-7000 6877 Goreway Drive, Unit 5, 905-608-7000 Milton: • Go to your local Service Canada Centre for an application or 310 Main Street East, 905-878-8418 you can get the application form online at: Oakville: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eforms/forms/nas2120e.pdf 1090 Speers Road, 1-800-959-9522 • Bring original documents with you to prove your identity, such as a Permanent Resident Card or Record of Landing

22 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 23 YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN CANADA Apply For The Child Tax Benefit Shopping

The Canada Child Tax Benefit is a non-taxable amount paid monthly You have many choices for shopping, so ask friends/family or talk to Shopping Child Tax Benefit to help families with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. someone at one of the organizations listed in this guide for suggestions. When you arrive in Canada, apply for this benefit. The government You will be surprised some stores have the same products but at very will decide if you are eligible. To fill out the form, visit one of the different prices! “settlement” agencies listed on page 12 of this guide to help you. There are also many “ethnic” stores in Peel and Halton regions. These Or visit the website: are stores that have food and other items from your native country. Take http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/cctb/menu-eng.html a walk or a drive in the busiest parts of your city and you may find many ethnic stores. Or look in the yellow pages of your phone book or ask one of the agencies listed in this guide under “Find Help in Your Own Language”. Change Important Papers Into English (Translation)

Change Important Papers Into English (Translation) There are two kinds of translation services available; certified and Consumer Protection non-certified. A Certified Translator is someone who has been given the title of “Certified Translator” by the Association of Translators If you buy something, you are called the “consumer”. The Ontario and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO). You might choose to have your government has an agency that can help you if you want to make documents translated by a Certified Translator because some a complaint about something you purchased. First go to the employers, professional licensing associations, or schools will only business and make your complaint, but if that doesn’t work, you can accept documents translated by a Certified Translator (for example: contact: education documents, birth certificate, etc.). For less important Consumer Protection: documents, you don’t need certified translation. 416-326-8800 or 1-800-889-9768 To find a Certified Translator, you can look in the yellow pages of or visit the website: your phone book under “Translators” or contact: www.gov.on.ca/MGS/en/ConsProt/

The Association of Translators and Halton Multicultural Council Interpreters of Ontario Oakville: 1092 Speers Road, 905-842-2486 ext. 229 1-800-234-5030 Did you know? www.halton-multicultural.org www.atio.on.ca The top 10 complaints made by Ontario consumers in 2008 were: These organizations also have certified Malton Neighbourhood Services 1. Collection Agencies 6. Home Furnishings translators: Mississauga: Malton Community Centre, 3540 2. Home Repairs 7. Telephone/Long Distance Morning Star Drive, 905-677-6270 Centre for Education & Training www.mnsinfo.org 3. New/Used Car Purchase 8. Car Repairs Mississauga: 905-949-0049, ext. 2279 (call 4. Appliances 9. Credit Reporting for locations) You can also have your documents translated 5. Health & Fitness Clubs 10. Energy Brokers www.tcet.com by a non-certified translator. Contact the “settlement” agency close to your home. See page 12 for a list of agencies.

24 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 25 HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY Counselling Parents

There are many organizations and programs in your community to help Need some help or information about parenting? Have a question? Parents Counselling everyone in your family, from babies to older people and everyone else. Or maybe you’re a first time parent? Whatever your need, interest If you are looking for some family fun or you need help with a problem or problem, there is an organization that can help you. Below is a in your family, contact one the organizations listed below. list of some organizations with parenting programs and services, but you can also call the Parenting Hotline at 1-888-603-9100. You can ask PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) whatever you want and it is all private. Associated Youth Services Family Services of Peel Punjabi Community Health of Peel Counselling services to indi- Services Parenting Programs & Services viduals, couples, and families For adults, children, youth Addictions (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION and their families who are, Brampton:20 Nelson Street Brampton:4525 Ebenezer or are at risk of, experiencing West, Suite 202 Road, Unit 16, Family Services of Peel India Rainbow Community The Dam serious social, emotional or Mississauga:151 City Centre 905-794-0089 Family Life Education Support programs for behavioural difficulties. Services of Peel Drive, Suite 501 Mental Health, Seniors, Program pregnant & young moms Positive parenting and Caledon:33 King Street West Gambling Mississauga:120 Matheson Mississauga:151 City Centre culturally sensitive counselling Mississauga:Meadowvale Town Blvd. East, Suite #201, 905-453-5775 Brampton:11730 Airport Road, Drive, Suite 501, for parents and family Centre, 6975 Meadowvale 905-890-5222 www.fspeel.org 905-790-0808 905-270-2250 Town Centre Circle, Unit N2B, Mississauga:3038 Hurontario 905-826-6558 www.aysp.ca www.punjabiservices.com www.fspeel.org Street, Suite 206,

John Howard Society of 905-275-2369 Cooking classes Catholic Family Peel, Halton, Dufferin Brampton:9446 McLaughlin for young moms Services of Peel Crime Prevention, Anger Road North, Unit 1, Management, Counselling to 905-454-2598 Mississauga:Meadowvale Counselling services to Christian Reformed Church, prevent crimes, etc. www.indiarainbow.org individuals, couples, and 2630 Inlake Court, families Brampton:100 Queen Street 905-826-6558 Mississauga: West, www.thedam.org The Emerald Centre, 10 905-459-2205 Kingsbridge Garden Circle, Brampton:134 Main Street Unit 400, 905-897-1644 North, (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION Brampton: 905-459-0111 10 Gillingham Drive, Suite Mississauga:130 Dundas Street Our Kids Network 201, 905-450-1608 East, Suite 300, Search for programs & services throughout Halton region Caledon:18 King Street East, 905-275-9117 Unit D8, 905-450-1608 www.johnhowardphd.ca www.ourkidsnetwork.ca www.cfspd.com

HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) Halton Family Services John Howard Society of Peel, Halton, 905-845-3811 (all locations) Dufferin Oakville:235 Lakeshore Road East Crime Prevention, Anger Management, Burlington:The Bay Area Learning Centre, Counselling to prevent crimes, etc. 860 Harrington Court, Suites 215 & 216 Milton:193 Main Street East, Milton:75 Main Street East, Unit 14 905-864-1306 North Halton:Knolcrest Centre, www.johnhowardphd.ca 360 Guelph Street, Unit 45- Suite 6 www.haltonfamilyservices.org

26 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 27 HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY Parents Child Care

PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Child Care Parents There are many kinds of daycare or childcare possibilities for your children: Brampton Neighbourhood Caledon Parent Mississauga:Havenwood Public Resource Centre Child Centre School, 3255 Havenwood Drive, 905-625-9391 Unlicensed Child Care Nursery Schools Ontario Early Years Centre, Ontario Early Years www.dixiebloor.ca • Up to 5 children in someone’s home • License given by the government Early Learning Lending Library, Centre plus many different • You can ask people you know to refer you to• Minimum one staff per child care room will Program to bring seniors, child-parent programs and a good home daycare have an “Early Childhood Education” parents and children services Malton Neighbourhood diploma (0-6 yrs) together Caledon:Albion/Bolton Services • One staff on site must have infant/child CPR Licensed Child Care Brampton:Kennedy Square Community Centre, 150 Ontario Early Years Centres (emergency assistance) Queen Street South, • License given by the government • All staff will have a police check Mall, 50 Kennedy Road Brampton:1090 Peter 905-857-0090 • Have a police check, a Children's Aid check, South, Unit 24, Robertson Blvd, Suite 208, fire check and health check before they can 905-452-1262 www.cp-cc.org 905-790-5692 begin their program. Nannies Brampton: Town Brampton:Bramalea Civic • Up to 5 children in their home • Private or through an agency; you have to do Centre, 180 Sandlewood Centre, 150 Central Park Dixie Bloor your own research and investigation; Parkway, Unit 8C, Drive, Unit 101, Neighbourhood Centre you can look in the yellow pages of your 905-495-3430 905-791-9650 Ontario Early Years Centres phone book or in the classifieds section of www.bnrc.org Mississauga:Malton Community your local newspaper Mississauga:Tomken Public Centre, 3540 Morning Star School, South Building, 3160 Drive, 905-677-6270 Tomken Road, 905-276-6392 www.mnsinfo.org Mississauga:Central Parkway WEB RESOURCE Plaza, 2nd Floor, There are so many different programs for your children and everyone else in the 377 Burnhamthorpe Road, Unit 111, 905-566-0144 family. Ask one of the “settlement” agencies listed in this guide for information, or visit one of these websites to do a search: HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) Peel Region: http://peel.cioc.ca Halton Region: www.hipinfo.info

Links2Care Ontario Early Years Centres Ontario Early Years Centres Looking for a place for you and your children? To find child care in Peel Region: I f you have a low income and cannot pay for Georgetown:96 Guelph Street, Ontario Early Years Centres are free to parents, child care, you may be eligible for a “subsidy”. 905-873-2960 babysitters and children under the age of six Licensed home-based daycares: This is when the government will help you pay years old. It is a place to have fun together and for child care. To find out more, call: Acton:85 Wallace Street, get information about parenting and services in http://www.cdrcp.com/ccip_find_lhba.html 519-853-2574 your community. It is a chance to get out of www.links2care.ca your home, meet other parents, and have fun Licensed Child Care Centres: Region of Peel: with your child. 905-791-1585 http://www.cdrcp.com There are many more http://www.peelregion.ca/childcar/subsidize.htm Ontario Early Years Centres available. Contact: Halton Region: To find child care in Halton Region: 905-825-6000 1-866-821-7770 www.hccr.ca and ask for “Intake for Child Care Subsidy” TTY 1-800-387-5559 (hearing impaired) http://www.halton.ca/scs/childcare/subsidy.htm www.gov.on.ca/children/oeyc/en/location/index.html

2 8 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 29 HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY Women Programs & Services For Women

In Canada, it is against the law for anyone to be abused. Sometimes (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION Programs &ServicesForWomen Women men tell immigrant women that if they leave or call the police they African Community Elizabeth Fry Society of Malton Neighbourhood will lose their children, have to leave Canada, will bring shame to Services of Peel Peel-Halton Services the family, etc. But in Canada, you will not lose your children just Women's Support Program Works with women and girls Violence Against Women for leaving your husband/partner, and there are many programs and Brampton:24 Nelson Street, in the justice system Counselling and Referral; services to help you and your children. Know your rights. You don’t Lower Level, Suite 102, Brampton:Queen’s Square Young Moms Group; ESL Prenatal Classes have to live with abuse. 905-460-9518 Building, 24 Queen Street www.africancommunityservices.com East, Lower Level, Mississauga:Malton Community Shelters For Abused Women And Their Children 905-459-1315 Centre, 3540 Morning Star Brampton Neighbourhood www.cefso.ca/peel.html Drive, 905-677-6270 If you need to leave your home with your children and you have Resource Centre www.mnsinfo.org nowhere to live, call the shelter closest to your home. These shelters Family Services of Peel Young Moms/ Women Support Multicultural Inter-Agency do not advertise their addresses, so you have to call first. If it is an Program Violence Against Women Mississauga:151 City Centre Group of Peel (MIAG) emergency situation, call the police at 911. Brampton:Kennedy Square Mall, 50 Kennedy Road Drive, Suite 501, Building Leadership Skills for South, Unit 24, 905-270-2250 Women; Violence Against PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) 905-452-1262 www.fspeel.org Women Prevention www.bnrc.org Mississauga:3034 Palstan Honeychurch Family Life Resource CentreInterim Place India Rainbow CommunityRoad, Suite M3, Brampton:905-451-4115 (Shelter for Abused Women & Children) Catholic Crosscultural Services of Peel 905-270-6252 www.miag.ca Mississauga:905-403-0864 or 905-676-8515 Services Violence prevention, crisis intervention, supportive www.interimplace.com Women Support Services counselling for women and Brampton:8 Nelson Street children HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) West, Suite 302, 905-457-7740 Mississauga:3038 Hurontario Street, Suite 206, Mississauga:3660 Hurontario Halton Women’s Place 905-275-2369 Street, 7th Floor, Halton Region: 905-273-4140 Brampton:9446 McLaughlin 905-878-8555 or 905-332-7892 Road North, Unit 1, Assaulted Women’s Helpline www.ccspeel.org www.haltonwomensplace.com 905-459-4776 www.indiarainbow.org 24 hour crisis line for women in Ontario COSTI Immigrant Services • Pathway to Success Life Skills and Career Options You don’t have to give your name (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION • Brampton:10 Gillingham Drive, Suite 300, SAVIS (Sexual Assault & The Halton Women's The phone number will not show up on your 905-451-0665 phone or your phone bill Violence Intervention Centre Mississauga:2150 Meadowvale Services) Support groups, legal clinics, • Blvd., Unit 2, counselling, income tax, job Completely private 905-451-0665 Counselling, support, search, self-employment and education, and more 416-863-0511 or 1-866-863-0511 www.costi.org more Oakville:Hopedale Mall, TTY 1-866-863-7868 (hearing impaired) Oakville:Hopedale Mall, 1515 Rebecca Street, 1515 Rebecca Street, Suite 227, 905-875-1555 Suite 229, or 1-877-268-8416 905-847-5520 www.savisofhalton.org

30 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 31 HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY Teenagers/Youth Teenagers/Youth

PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION CON”T Teenagers/Youth Teenagers/Youth African Community Centre for Education & Dixie Bloor Malton Neighbourhood Newcomer Centre of Peel YMCA Peel Employment Services of Peel Training Neighbourhood Centre Services Youth Resource Centre Various programs Brampton:22 Nelson Street Youth Connections Kids Fun Club Various youth groups, home- Mississauga:165 Dundas Street Mississauga:151 City Centre Suite, Lower Level, Mississauga:3233 Brandon Mississauga:3070 Queen work club, youth counselling West, Suite 200, Drive, Suite 800, 905-306-0577, ext. 316 905-276-9322 905-460-9516 Gate Drive, Unit 17, Frederica Drive, Unit 48, Mississauga:Malton www.africancommunityservices.com 905-677-0007, ext. 4 905-949-1078 Community Centre, 3540 www.palc.ca www.ymcagta.org Morning Star Drive, 905-677- Youth Exchange Lunch Jam/My NBA 6270 Big Brothers Big Sisters (Neighbourhood Basketball Ontario Inter-Cultural The Dam of Peel Mississauga:2 Robert Speck Association) www.mnsinfo.org Community Services (OICS) Mentoring youth and Parkway, Suite 120, Youth After School Homework pregnant teens, Youth drop-in Match boys and girls with 905-949-0049, ext. 2412 Mississauga:Burnhamthorpe Multicultural Inter-Agency Clubs centre/outreach adult volunteers to provide Community Centre, 1500 www.tcet.com Mississauga:Meadowvale Town guidance, companionship Gulleden Drive, Group of Peel (MIAG) Mississauga:6915 Dixie Road, and mentorship Centre, 6975 Meadowvale 905-615-4630 Heart Health and MulticulturalUnit#4, Community Environment 905-696-9963 Town Centre, Unit N2B, Brampton:71 West Drive, Youth; Peel Children in Action 905-826-6558 Tomken Drop-in Unit 23, 905-457-7288 Alliance Mississauga:call for locations, Mississauga:1454 Dundas Street East, Unit 104, www.bbbspeel.com/bbbspeel EnergySmart Ambassador Mississauga:Tomken Public 905-270-1829 Basketball program 905-279-0481 Program, Youth Leadership www.miag.ca School, 3160 Tomken Road, Mississauga: and Global Citizenship 905-276-6392 www.oics.ca Boys and Girls Clubs of Program 6655 Glen Erin Drive, Peel Region Nexus Youth Services 905-826-6558 Brampton:222 Advance Applewood Basketball Counselling services for Rapport Youth & Family Youth programs, after-school Boulevard, Unit 7, www.thedam.org Mississauga:Applewood Heights teenagers programs, breakfast for kids 905-463-9941 Services Secondary School, 945 Bloor Call for intake, Mississauga:315 Traders Blvd Counselling for youth www.communityenvironment.org Street East, 905-279-6090 905-451-4655 East, Unit 11, 905-712-1789 Call for intake, www.peelcc.org/nexus-services 905-455-4100 COSTI Immigrant Services Playzone Brampton Neighbourhood www.rapportyouth.com Youth Settlement Services Mississauga:Havenwood Public Resource Centre Brampton:Centennial Mall, School, 3255 Havenwood Square One Youth Centre Homework Club, Youth 227 Vodden Street East, Drive, 905-625-9391 Programs, Drop-in Centre, Unit 3, 905-459-6700 Mississauga:Square One www.dixiebloor.ca Entrepreneur Program www.costi.org Shopping Centre, Brampton:Kennedy Square 100 City Centre Drive, 905-566-1883 Mall, 50 Kennedy Road India Rainbow Community South, Unit 24, Services of Peel 905-452-1262 Counselling for Youth and www.bnrc.org Family Mediation Mississauga:3038 Hurontario Caledon Community Street, Suite 206, 905-275-2369 Services Brampton:9446 McLaughlin Life for Youth Road North, Unit 1, Bolton:18 King Street East, 905-454-2598 Upper level, 905-951-2300, ext. 232 www.indiarainbow.org www.ccs4u.org

32 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 33 Seniors 35 Seniors PEEL REGION 3038 Hurontario Malton Community call for locations, 245 Queen Street 905-270-1829 Street, Suite 307, 905-361-0462 Centre, 3540 Morning Star Drive, 905-677-6270 East, Unit 2, 905-595-1669 Adult Day Program for Adult Day Program South Asians (frail-elderly and diagnosed illness) with long-term Mississauga: 415 Matheson Blvd. East, 905-507-6099 Mississauga: Brampton: www.indiarainbow.org Malton Neighbourhood Services Malton Caribbean Seniors' Group, South Asian Senior Group, Italian Women's Seniors' Group Mississauga: www.mnsinfo.org Multicultural Inter-Agency (MIAG) Group of Peel New Dimensions for Ethno-Cultural Seniors Mississauga: www.miag.ca 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Brampton, (Mississauga, 3020 Queen 3160 Tomken 4094 Tomken 1120 Flagship 3038 Hurontario 17 Dean Street, 245 Queen Street 222 Advance Street, Suite 206, 905-361-0462 East, Unit 2, 905-595-1669 Boulevard, Unit 7, 905-463-9941 Frederica Drive Frederica Road Road Drive 905-276-6392 Community Environment Community Environment Alliance for Seniors Act-Heal Brampton: www.communityenvironment.org Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre Seniors’ Programs Mississauga: Mississauga: Mississauga: Mississauga: www.dixiebloor.ca Elder Help – Peel Brampton: Suite 100, 905-457-6055 www.elderhelppeel.ca India Rainbow Community Services of Peel Program Seniors Wellness for South Asian Seniors Mississauga: Brampton: HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY YOUR FOR HELP 60 Briarwood 3190 Ridgeway Kennedy Square Kennedy 8 Nelson Street 23 Nelson Street 152 Central Park Mall, 50 Kennedy Road Mall, 50 Kennedy South, Unit 24, 905-452-1262 Suite 302, West, 905-457-7740 ext.241 Suite, Lower Level, Level, Suite, Lower 905-460-9517 Drive, Suite 107, 905-790-8482 Avenue, 905-278-3667 Drive, Unit 35, 905-828-1328 Multicultural Seniors Program Brampton: www.bnrc.org Catholic Crosscultural Services CCS Settlement Services for South Asian Seniors Brampton: www.ccspeel.org African Community African Community Services of Peel programs Various Brampton: www.africancommunityservices.com Alzheimer Society Peel Mississauga: www.alzheimerpeel.com Brampton Multicultural Community Centre Senior Connection Program Brampton: Mississauga: www.bmccentre.org Brampton Neighbourhood Centre Resource 500 Drury Lane, YMCA Career Development Centre and Learning Drop In Centre YMCA Youth Burlington: www.mydreamjob.ca 905-681-1140 60 Guelph Street, 226 Randall Street, 226 Randall 47 Mill Street East, Suite 101, 905-845-7233 (24 Hours) 905-873-2966 905-873-2966 Centre Youth Off The Wall 519-853-9825 Acton: www.links2care.ca Safetynet Children and Charities Youth Clothing bank, tutoring, music program, parenting Oakville: Links2Care Centre Open Door Youth Georgetown: (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) Oakville, Milton, (Burlington, 1092 Speers Road, 464 Morden Road, 410 Bronte Street HALTON REGION HALTON South, 905-339-2355 Milton: Oakville: www.bbbshalton.ca Halton Multicultural Council Settlement in Schools Youth Oakville: www.halton-multicultural.org Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Brothers Big of Halton girls with Match boys and to provide adult volunteers guidance, companionship and mentorship 905-339-2355 905-842-2486, ext. 235 Parks & Recreation Parks & Every city or town has its own Parks These are places the department. Recreation entire family can go for fitness classes, so much swimming and sports, skating, more. There are many programs and will have to pay services to choose from. You for these programs. & See page 94 of this guide for a list of Parks departments. Recreation Teenagers/Youth 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services

Teenagers/Youth 34 HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY YOUR FOR HELP HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY Seniors Disabilities

Ontario Inter-Cultural Family Services of Peel Square One Older Adult ACROSS ONTARIO Disabilities Seniors Community Services (OICS) Peel Elder Abuse Prevention Centre Canadian Hearing Society Ontario Disability Support Ontario March of Dimes Program Seniors Community Mississauga:Square One Programs, services, and Provides supports and services Mississauga:151 City Centre Program (ODSP) Kitchen/Support Group Shopping Centre, information for people who to individuals with disabilities Drive, Suite 501, Helps people with disabilities Mississauga:6915 Dixie Road, 100 City Centre Drive, are culturally deaf, oral deaf, 905-270-2250 ext. 238 who are in financial need pay Hamilton/Halton: Unit 4, 905-696-9963 905-615-3207 deafened, and hard of for living expenses, like food 50 King Street East, 3rd Floor, Seniors Support Centre www.fspeel.org hearing www.sq1oac.com and housing 905-522-2253 or 1-877-347-3427, Mississauga:1454 Dundas 1-866-244-3463 TTY 1-877-347-3429 Mississauga: Street East, Unit 104, (hearing impaired) Mississauga:2227 South 905-279-0481 1140 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Suite 212, Millway, Suite 100, www.oics.ca www.chs.ca 905-897-3100 or 905-607-3463 or 1-800-361-0897 1-877-427-6990 CNIB- Canadian National TTY 905-897-3162 www.marchofdimes.ca/dimes Let’s Stop Senior Abuse! (hearing impaired) Institute for the Blind It is against the law to abuse anyone, including seniors. (Peel/Halton) Burlington:440 Elizabeth Report senior’s abuse at: 1-800-677-1116. Street, 2nd Floor, Services and support for 905-637-4500 or If it is an emergency situation, call the police at 911. people living with vision loss 1-800-567-6388 Various locations, TTY 905-681-0720 905-528-8555 or (hearing impaired) 1-888-275-5332 www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pil HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) TTY 905-524-5988 (hearing impaired) lars/social/odsp For a directory of Seniors’ services in Halton region, visit: www.cnib.ca www.halton.ca/scs/seniors/esac/pdf/SeniorsDirectory.pdf (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION Links2Care Home help, Home Maintenance & Repair, ACCES Employment Employment Access ErinoakKids Centre for Companion Respite, Assistance and Advocacy, Friendly Visiting, Meals on Wheels/Meals on Job Connect - Employment Employment service program Treatment and Development Ice, Wheels to Meals/Congregate Dining, Sup- Did you know? Preparation Program dedicated to persons with (Peel/Halton) portive Housing, Telephone Assurance Brampton:8 Queen Street, disabilities Treatment centre for When someone tries to take money Second Floor, 905-454-2316 Mississauga:10 Kingsbridge Acton:47 Mill Street, 519-853-3310 children/youth with a range of Mississauga:151 City Centre Garden Circle, Suite 403, Burlington/Oakville/Mississauga:250 Wyecroft from you falsely, it is called FRAUD. physical and developmental Drive, Suite 700, 905-755-9157 Road, Unit 2, 905-844-0252 If you are a senior and you think disabilities 905-361-2522 Brampton:201 County Court Georgetown/Milton: Mississauga:2277 South 36 Armstrong Avenue, Unit A, someone is stealing your money, call www.accesemployment.ca Boulevard, Suite 404, 905-873-6502 Millway, 905-820-7111, the Senior’s Information Line to 905-459-7890 www.links2care.ca TTY 905-820-7004 report this at: 1-888-910-1999 Canadian Mental Health www.disabilityaccess.org (hearing impaired) Halton Social and Community Services Association - Peel Mississauga:2695 North Sheridan Way, Suite 120, Department Promoting and supporting good mental health 905-855-2690, Milton Place and Friends Landing Adult Day Peel Region: 905-278-9036 TTY 905-855-4925 Programs Caledon: 1-888-811-222 (hearing impaired) Milton:185 Ontario Street South, www.cmhapeel.ca Brampton:180B Sandalwood 1-866-442-5866 Parkway 2nd & 3rd Floor, www.halton.ca/scs/seniors/adp 905-790-9592 www.erinoak.org

36 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 37 HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY Disabilities Disabilities

PEEL REGION CON’T(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION CON’T Disabilities Disabilities Family Services of Peel India Rainbow Community Brampton Caledon ErinoakKids Centre for ROCK (Reach Out Centre The Centre for Skills Ready Willing and Able Services of Peel Community Living Treatment and Developmentfor Kids) Development & Training Brampton:20 Nelson Street, Housing and support for Support people with a (Peel/Halton) For infants, children, youth Milton Employment Resource Suite 202, 905-453-7890 South Asian adults with developmental disability at risk of developing or Centre (deaf services) Treatment centre for serious mental illness with mental health illness www.fspeel.org Brampton:34 Church Street children/youth with a Milton:550 Ontario Street Mississauga:3038 Hurontario West, 905-453-8841 range of physical and Burlington:471 Pearl Street, South, Suite 104, Options Mississauga Street, Suite 206, www.bcclnet.com developmental disabilities 905-634-2347 905-693-8458, ext. 107 905-275-2369 Job training for adults with an Burlington:Westbury Business www.rockonline.ca www.thecentre.on.ca intellectual disability Brampton:9446 McLaughlin St. Leonard’s House Peel Park, 1122 International Road North, Unit 1, Mississauga:113 Lakeshore For homeless men with Boulevard, 905-332-4418 STRIDE North Halton Mental 905-454-2598 or 1-888-709-2809 Road West, 905-274-8663 serious mental illness and Supported training and Health Clinic www.optionscanada.com www.indiarainbow.org those who have been in Oakville: 2060 Winston Park, rehabilitation Community-based psychiatric conflict with the law. Suite 102, 905-829-4183 Milton:Milton Mall, assessment, treatment, Family Services of Peel Learning Disabilities Brampton:1105 Queen Oakville:53 Bond Street, 55 Ontario Street, Suite 21, counselling and case Adult Protection Services Association - Peel Region Street East, Suite 233 & 234, 905-875-3854 management 905-457-3611 905-815-0066 Mississauga:151 City Centre Assist people with learning Acton:12 Wallace Street, Milton: Drive, Suite 501, disabilities www.stleonardshouse.com www.erinoak.org 905-875-3854 Towne Square, 905-270-2250 Mississauga:165 Dundas Oakville:2245 Wyecroft Road, 217 Main Street East, www.fspeel.org Street West, Suite 400, YMCA Peel Employment Learning Disabilities Units 1 & 2, 905-842-7248 905-693-4240 or 1-866-442-5866, ext. 4240 905-272-4100 Access to Employment Association of Halton www.stride.on.ca Georgetown: Brampton:150 Central Park Mississauga:151 City Centre For children and adults of Drive, Suite 104, Drive, Suite 800, normal or potentially normal 93 Main Street South, 905-791-4100 905-276-9329, ext. 219 intelligence who have 905-693-4240, ext. 8402 www.ldapeel.com www.ymcagta.org learning disabilities Acton:19 Willow Street North, 519-853-9741 Burlington:Rotary Youth Centre, 560 Guelph Line, www.halton.ca/health/services/nhmhc HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) 905-333-1977 www.ldahalton.ca Bob Rumball Association Community Living Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered for the Deaf (emergency) Burlington 905-693-4270 or Community centre and www.cmha-halton.ca Provides supports and (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION Gay, Lesbian,Transgendered services for the Deaf 1-877-693-4270 services to individuals with Milton:7801 #5 Sideroad, developmental disabilities Associated Youth Services of Peel Family Services of Peel 905-878-4932, Community Living North Burlington:3057 Mainway, Mississauga:120 Matheson Blvd East, LGBTQ, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, TTY 905-875-4368 Halton 905-336-2225 Suite 201, 905-890-5222 Transsexual, Questioning (hearing impaired) Provides support and www.clburlington.ca www.aysp.ca Mississauga:151 City Centre Drive, Suite 501, www.bobrumball.org services to individuals with 905-270-2250, ext. 256 developmental disabilities Community Living Oakville www.fspeel.org Milton:725 Main Street East, Canadian Mental Health Provides supports and (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) 905-878-2337 HALTON REGION Association - Halton services to individuals with Halton Organization for Pride and Education www.clnh.on.ca developmental disabilities Promoting and supporting good mental health Oakville:301 Wyecroft Road, Burlington:860 Harrington Court, Unit 217, 1-877-860-4673 905-844-0146 Crisis Line:1-877-825-9011 www.haltonpride.org www.oakcl.org

38 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 39 GET HELP TO FIND A JOB GET HELP TO FIND A JOB Employment Resource Centres Employment Resource Centres

Need to use a computer? Print or fax a resume? Maybe you need help (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION Employment Resource Centres Employment Resource Centres writing your resume and cover letter. Whatever you are looking for, an ACFO Sheridan Institute of The Centre for Skills employment resource centre can help you find what you need to look (Association canadienne Technology and Advanced Development & Training for a job. They are free and no appointment is necessary. They are a française de l'Ontario) Learning Burlington: “drop-in” service. Burlington:Burlington Square, Oakville:Skills Training Centre, Bay Area Learning Centre, 760 Brant Street, Suite 43A, 407 Iroquois Shore Road, 860 Harrington Court, PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) 905-637-0796 Room A12, 905-845-9430 905-333-2499, ext. 140 www.acfo-hamilton.on.ca http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca Oakville: ACCES Employment Centre for Education & Region of Peel 465 Morden Road, Unit 109, Brampton:8 Queen Street, Training Employment 905-845-1157 ext. 121 Second Floor, 905-454-2316 Links2Care YMCA Career Development Mississauga:2 Robert Speck Resource Centres Georgetown: Acton:45 Mill Street East, Mississauga:151 City Centre Parkway, Suite 800, and Learning Centre 184 Guelph Street, Brampton:10 Peel Centre 519-853-5014 Drive, Suite 700, 905-949-0049, ext. 2040 Burlington:500 Drury Lane, 905-702-7311 ext. 109 Drive, Suite B, 905-361-2522 www.links2care.ca 905-681-1140 Mississauga:3233 Brandon 905-793-9200, ext. 8203 Milton:550 Ontario Street www.accesemployment.ca Gate Drive, Unit 6, www.mydreamjob.ca South, Suite 104, Mississauga:6715 Millcreek 905-677-0007 905-693-8458 ext. 107 Drive, Unit 1, Brampton Neighbourhood Brampton:7700 Hurontario 905-793-9200, ext. 8427 www.thecentre.on.ca Resource Centre Street, Suite 300, www.peelregion.ca 905-457-4747, ext. 3300 Brampton:Kennedy Square Mall, 50 Kennedy Road Brampton:263 Queen Street Sheridan Institute of South, Unit 24, East, Unit 14, Employment Assessment Centres 905-452-1262 905-595-0722, ext. 4012 Technology and Advanced Learning Are you interested in attending a government-funded program www.bnrc.org www.tcet.com/ercs Brampton:Clarke West Mall, that will help you look for a job? If yes, you must first make an Caledon Community Services Collège Boréal 71 West Drive, Unit 29, appointment with an Employment Assessment Centre closest to your 905-459-7533 Bolton:18 King Street East, Mississauga:Camilla Place, 130 home. This is a program funded by the federal government to help http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca Upper level, 905-951-2300 Dundas Street East, Suite 406, 905-306-1562 job seekers select the best program for their needs without wasting www.ccs4u.org www.borealc.on.ca YMCA Peel Employment time. You will be able to sit individually with a case manager to Web Resource Mississauga:151 City Centre discuss your situation. To visit a “virtual” Employment Dixie Bloor Drive, Suite 800, 905-276-9329, ext. 214 Mississauga Community Connections VPI Resource Centre, check out the Neighbourhood Centre Mississauga:33 City Centre Drive, Suite 280, Brampton:Plaza 2, 350 Rutherford Road South, following websites: www.ymcagta.org Mississauga:High Point Mall, 905-896-2233 Suite 300, 905-866-6001 3415 Dixie Road, Units 401 Caledon:30 Martha Street, Suite 303, www.poss.ca and 402, 905-267-3138 Mississauga:6870 Goreway Drive, Ground Floor, 905-678-8515 905-951-6049 (All jobseekers) www.dixiebloor.ca www.mazemaster.on.ca Mississauga:6790 Century Drive, Suite 401, Oakville:474-476 Morden Road, Unit 102, 905-338-2190 (Youth) 905-814-8406 www.connectionsemployment.ca Burlington:3050 Harvester Road, Suite 107, Employment Standards 905-637-8988 How many hours can you work? What if you are not paid? How many breaks are you Milton:420 Main Street East, Suite 211, allowed? Learn all about working in Ontario. The Ministry of Labour can answer all of 905-693-0034 these questions. Go to: www.labour.gov.on.ca or call 416-326-7160 or 1-800-531-5551 if Georgetown:235 Guelph Street, Unit 4, 905-873-9816 you have a question or problem TTY 1-866-567-8893 (hearing impaired) www.vpi-inc.com

40 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 41 GET HELP TO FIND A JOB GET HELP TO FIND A JOB Programs & Services Programs & Services

Finding your first job in Canada is not easy, but there are many (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION CON’T Programs &Services Programs &Services programs to help job seekers in Ontario. They can help you with India Rainbow Community Peel Career Assessment Sheridan Institute of your resume, teach you how to look for a job, maybe even place Services of Peel Services Inc. Technology and Advanced you in a company to get “Canadian” work experience. Each Mississauga:3038 Hurontario Mississauga:975 Meyerside Learning program is different, so be sure to ask lots of questions. Street, Suite 206, Drive, 905-670-1967 Brampton:1 Bartley Bull Park- 905-275-1976 www.peelcareer.com way, Unit 12, PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Brampton:21 Regan Road, 905-459-7533, ext. 5234 Units H & I, 905-459-4776 Peel Multicultural Council ACCES Employment Brampton Neighbourhood COSTI Immigrant Services Brampton:Clarke West Mall, www.indiarainbow.org Mississauga:Meadowvale 71 West Drive, Unit 29, Brampton:8 Queen Street, Resource Centre Brampton:10 Gillingham Dr., Christian Academy, 6630 905-459-7533, ext. 5523 Second Floor, Suite 300, 905-451-0665 Brampton: 30 Kennedy Road Job Skills Turner Valley Road, http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca 905-454-2316 Mississauga:2150 Meadowvale South, Unit 14, Brampton:37 George Street 905-819-1144 Mississauga: 905-453-4622 Blvd., Unit 2, 151 City Centre North, Suite 303, www.peelmc.com 905-567-0482 The Centre for Skills Drive, Suite 700, www.bnrc.org 905-453-7896 905-361-2522 www.costi.org Development & Training www.jobskills.org Polycultural Immigrant www.accesemployment.ca Caledon Community Mississauga:33 City Centre and Community Services Drive, Suite 201, Services Malton Neighbourhood African Community Dixie Bloor Mississauga:Sheridan Centre, 905-276-6336, ext. 101 Bolton:18 King Street East, Services Services of Peel Neighbourhood Centre Lower Level, 2225 Erin Mills Mississauga:3233 Brandon Upper Level, Mississauga:Malton Community Parkway, 905-403-8860 Gate Drive, Unit 9, 905-951-2300 Mississauga: Brampton:21 Nelson Street, High Point Mall, Centre, 3540 Morning Star www.polycultural.org 905-405-8118, ext. 101 Lower Level, 905-460-9515 3415 Dixie Road, Unit 19, www.ccs4u.org Drive, 905-677-6270 www.thecentre.on.ca www.africancommunityservices.com 905-206-0755 Mississauga:Westwood Mall, www.dixiebloor.ca Catholic Crosscultural 7205 Goreway Drive, Lower YMCA Peel Employment Audmax Inc. Level, 905-672-8484 Services Mississauga:151 City Centre Mississauga:Emerald Centre, Family Services of Peel Brampton:8 Nelson Street Brampton:3975 Cottrelle Blvd, Drive, Suite 800, 10 Kingsbridge Garden Mississauga:151 City Centre West, Suite 302, Units 8,9,10, 905-276-9322 Circle, Suite 501, Drive, Suite 501, 905-794-7111 905-457-7740, ext.224 www.ymcagta.org 905-615-1188 905-270-2250 Mississauga:3660 Hurontario www.mnsinfo.org www.audmaxinc.com Brampton:20 Nelson Street, Street, 7th Floor, 905-273-4140, ext.239 Suite 202, 905-453-7890 www.fspeel.org WEB RESOURCE Brampton Multicultural www.ccspeel.org Community Centre To search for more programs to Humber College Institute Brampton:151 Central Park Centre for Education & help you look for a job, visit: Drive, Suite 107, Training of Technology & Advanced www.employmentontario.ca 905-790-8482 Learning Mississauga:2 Robert Speck Mississauga:3190 Ridgeway Parkway, Suite 800, Brampton:201 County Court Drive, Unit 35, 905-949-0049, ext. 1241 Boulevard, Suite 302, 905-828-1328 905-455-4073 Brampton:7700 Hurontario www.bmccentre.org Street, Suite 314, www.look4work.humber.ca 905-949-0049, ext. 1241 www.tcet.com

42 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 43 GET HELP TO FIND A JOB GET HELP TO FIND A JOB Programs & Services Meet People • Networking

HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) Approximately 80% of all jobs are not advertised! So how do you Meet People •Networking Programs &Services Goodwill JBJ Employment Services The Centre for Skills find a job in Canada? One of the answers is “networking”. This Burlington:4039 New Street, Georgetown:184 Guelph Street, Development & Training means meeting people; it means asking everyone you know if they 905-633-8324 1-866-648-2424 Milton:Southview Plaza, 550 can connect you with other people in your occupation or industry. Milton:550 Ontario Street, Milton:550 Ontario Street Ontario Street There are “networking groups” you can attend to meet people Suite 208, 905-864-1644 South, Suite 203, Burlington:Bay Area Learning 1-866-648-2424 (sometimes you have to pay a small fee). One networking group in Oakville:700 Dorval Drive, Centre, 860 Harrington Suite 304, 905-338-5750 www.jbj.ca Court, 905-333-3499 Peel and Halton is: Georgetown:184 Guelph Oakville:465 Morden Road, Street, 1-866-260-1175 Sheridan Institute of 905-845-1157 HAPPEN- Halton and Peel Professional Executive Network www.goodwillonline.ca Technology and Advanced Georgetown:184 Guelph Weekly networking group for managers and Learning Street, 905-702-7311 executives looking for work Halton Multicultural www.thecentre.on.ca Mississauga & Burlington, Acton:47 Mill Street, 905-339-0268 or 1-866-894-0009 Council 519-853-3310 YMCA Career Development www.happen.ca Oakville: 1092 Speers Road, Georgetown:232 Guelph and Learning Centre 905-842-2486, ext. 232 Street, 905-873-8990 Burlington: 500 Drury Lane, You can find more networking groups by doing an online search. www.halton-multicultural.org Milton:310 Main Street East, 905-681-1140 905-878-4956 www.mydreamjob.ca Oakville:Sheridan College Skills Training Centre, 407 Iroquois Shore Road, 905-845-9430, ext. 8026

Skills International This organization provides companies with pre-screened and pre-qualified candidates who are ready for employment. You must work with an employment agency in Peel before your profile can be published on the Skills International website. Visit the website for more information. www.skillsinternational.ca

44 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 45 GET HELP TO FIND A JOB GET HELP TO FIND A JOB Meet People • Mentorship Get Canadian Work Experience

Imagine you are an engineer new to Canada; wouldn’t you like Some organizations have programs that can “place” you in a Get CanadianWork Experience Meet People • Mentorship to be connected with a Canadian engineer who can help you company so you can get Canadian work experience in your understand this occupation in Canada and how to get a job? occupation. Sometimes you are paid and sometimes it is “unpaid” This is what “mentorship” is; connecting two people together work. Each program is different, so ask questions! that have similar interests. One person is looking for information Career Bridge for Internationally Qualified Professionals: and advice (e.g. the person new to Canada) 416-977-3343 or 1-888-507-3343 (across Canada) and the other person is willing to help (usually e-Mentoring for a Canadian who has lots of experience). The www.careerbridge.ca New Canadians programs below may be able to help you This website connects (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION connect with a “mentor” in your occupation individuals with or field of interest. Canadians who have ACCES Employment Dufferin-Peel Adult Job Skills Brampton:8 Queen Street, Learning Centres Mississauga:55 City Centre similar interests, Second Floor, Drive, Suite 701, PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Mississauga:St. Gabriel Adult 905-454-2316 905-270-2824 backgrounds, and/or Learning Centre, ACCES Employment Dixie Bloor career goals. Mississauga:151 City Centre 3750 Brandon Gate Dr, www.jobskills.org Drive, Suite 700, 905-362-0701 Brampton:8 Queen Street, Neighbourhood Centre www.canadainfonet.org 905-361-2522 Second Floor, 905-454-2316 Mississauga:Brian J Fleming Sheridan Institute of Mississauga:High Point Mall, www.accesemployment.ca Centre, 870 Queen St W, Mississauga:151 City Centre Technology and 3415 Dixie Road, Unit 1, 905-891-3034 Drive, Suite 700, 905-624-2442 Advanced Learning 905-361-2522 www.dpcdsb.org/coopcentre www.dixiebloor.ca Newcomer Centre of Peel Brampton:Clarke West Mall, www.accesemployment.ca Self-employed Newcomers 71 West Drive, Unit 29, Malton Neighbourhood Mississauga:165 Dundas Street 905-459-7533, ext. 5523 Brampton Neighbourhood West, Suite 200, Services http://www1sheridaninstitute.ca Resource Centre 905-306-0577, ext. 308 Mississauga:Malton Community www.palc.ca Youth only Centre, 3540 Morning Star Brampton:Kennedy Square Drive, 905-677-6270 (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION Mall, 50 Kennedy Road www.mnsinfo.org South, Unit 24, Sheridan Institute of The Centre for Skills 905-452-1262 Technology and Advanced Development & Training www.bnrc.org Learning Burlington:Bay Area Learning Centre, 860 Harrington Acton:47 Mill Street, Court, 519-853-3310 HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) 905-333-3499, ext. 102 Georgetown:232 Guelph Street, 905-873-8990 Milton:550 Ontario Street Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning South, Suite 103, Milton:310 Main Street East, Oakville:Skills Training Centre, 407 Iroquois Shore Road, Room A11, 905-693-8458, ext. 101 905-878-4956 905-845-9430, ext.8134 www.thecentre.on.ca http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca/promo/halton Oakville:Skills Training Centre, 407 Iroquois Shore Road, Room A11, 905-845-9430, ext. 8026 http://www1sheridaninstitute.ca

46 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 47 GET HELP TO FIND A JOB GET HELP TO FIND A JOB Volunteer Learn Business English

There are a lot of great reasons to volunteer! You can meet new friends, This is a more advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) program Learn BusinessEnglish Volunteer learn new skills, gain experience to put on your resume, network with which also includes an unpaid work placement to get Canadian work people, and feel really great about yourself. It is also a great way to experience. It’s called Enhanced Language Training (ELT). You will learn practice your English conversation skills and learn about Canadian business English, how to look for a job in Canada, and how to write culture. resumes. Some of these programs might be able to connect you with You can call a non-profit organization directly and ask about volunteering a company in Canada to get Canadian work experience, but each ELT (call any one of the organizations listed in this guide) or contact: program is different, so be sure to ask for details. (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION Volunteer MBC Dixie Bloor Polycultural Immigrant (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Engineering Connections Neighbourhood Centre and Community Services 905-238-2622 Mississauga:151ACCES City Employment Centre Enhanced Language Training Enhanced Language Training Drive, Suite 700, www.volunteermbc.org Mississauga:Police Building, Mississauga:Sheridan Centre, 905-361-2522 3461 Dixie Road, Suite 504 & 505, Second Floor, 2225 Erin Mills www.accesemployment.ca 905-290-7626 Parkway, 905-823-7135 www.dixiebloor.ca www.polycultural.org Volunteer Halton COSTI Immigrant Services (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Georgetown, Halton Hills) Enhanced Language Training Newcomer Centre of Peel Sheridan Institute of Search online for a volunteer opportunity at: for Accounting & Finance ELT for Foreign-Trained Technology and Advanced Professionals Professionals and ELT for http://search.hipinfo.info/volunteer Accounting/Finance Learning Brampton:10 Gillingham Dr., Suite 109A, 905-451-7147 Mississauga:165 Dundas Street ELT; Occupation Specific If you do not know how to use a computer, you can call Volunteer West, Suite 200, Language Training-Technology Halton and set up an appointment at: 905-632-1975 Enhanced Language Training 905-306-0577, ext. 221 Brampton:Davis Campus, for Office Administration & www.palc.ca 7899 McLaughlin Road, Customer Service Room B298, 905-459-7533, ext 5286 Brampton:Centennial Mall, Peel Multicultural Council 227 Vodden Street E., Unit 3, Enhanced Language Training http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca Did You Know? 905-459-6700 Mississauga:Meadowvale Volunteering is not the same as “unpaid work” for www.costi.org Christian Academy, 6630 Turner Valley Road, Canadian experience. Volunteering is done “from the 905-819-1144 heart” because you want to help your community. www.peelmc.com You will learn skills and gain experience, but it is not for “Success in life has (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION the purpose of getting a job. Co-op is a program that nothing to do with places you in a company to do unpaid work, in your Halton Multicultural Sheridan Institute of The Centre for Skills occupation, to gain Canadian work experience and to what you gain in life Council Technology and Advanced Development & Training Office Management; Policing Learning Enhanced Language Training put it on your resume. or accomplish for your- Oakville:1092 Speers Road, ELT; Occupation Specific Burlington: self. It's what you do 905-842-2486, ext. 244 Language Training- Business Bay Area Learning Centre, www.halton-multicultural.org Oakville:Skills Training Centre, 860 Harrington Court, for others.” 407 Iroquois Shore Road, 905-333-3499, ext. 264 Room A23, www.thecentre.on.ca Danny Thomas 905-845-9430, ext 8152 http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca 48 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 49 GET HELP TO FIND A JOB GET HELP TO FIND A JOB Learn Business English Get Your License/Certificate Source: Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials: (www.cicic.ca)

“Bridge” training programs help internationally-trained individuals If you want to work in a regulated occupation and use a regulated Get Your License/Certificate Learn Business English move quickly into a job in Ontario. They assess your skills and title, you MUST have a licence or certificate and be registered with the compare them to what an Ontario employer wants. They provide regulatory body for your occupation. A "regulated" occupation is one training and Canadian workplace experience. Each Bridging that is controlled by law and managed by a professional organization program is different, so you have to ask for details and information. or regulatory body. It means this organization has the authority to set entry requirements and standards of practice, to assess applicants' PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) qualifications and credentials, to certify, register, or license qualified applicants, and to discipline members of the profession/trade. To ACCES Employment Multicultural Inter-Agency Skills for Change become licensed, it usually includes writing an examination and getting Sales & Marketing Group of Peel (MIAG) Industrial Electricians, Construction and Maintenance Brampton:8 Queen Street, Accountants and Bookkeepers supervised Canadian work experience. For more information, visit: Second Floor, 905-454-2316 Electricians, and Industrial Mississauga:3034 Palstan Mechanics (Millwrights) Mississauga:151 City Centre Road, Suite M4, Drive, Suite 700, 905-842-2486, ext. 238 Brampton:21 Nelson Street Getting Licensed: Professional Occupations 905-361-2522 West, Unit 1A, www.miag.ca http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/working/licensed 905-595-1679, ext.103 Sales & Marketing, www.skillsforchange.org Engineering, Financial Services, Information Technology, Tourism Trades in Ontario www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/how_work_trades.asp Mississauga:151 City Centre Drive, Suite 700, For a list of all Bridging Programs in Ontario, go online: 905-361-2522 www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/bridge.asp www.accesemployment.ca Global Experience Ontario This agency can help internationally-trained and educated If you are having trouble finding information or a service individuals find out how to qualify for professional practice in to help, you can go online and email a question to Ontario Ontario. This one-stop centre offers a range of services for Immigration staff. Go to: internationally-educated individuals. www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/questions_expert.asp 416-327-9694 or 1-866-670-4094 TTY: 416-327-9710 or 1-866–388-2262 (hearing impaired) www.ontarioimmigration.ca/ENGLISH/geo.asp HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)

Halton Multicultural Council Accountants and Bookkeepers Helpful Advice Oakville:1092 Speers Road, 905-842-2486, ext 238 www.halton-multicultural.org Getting licensed/certified in Ontario takes a lot of time and money; there is a lot of information and it can be very complicated. Be sure to visit the organizations listed in “Getting help to find a job” or “Find help in your own language”. These people are here to help you!

50 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 51 GET HELP TO FIND A JOB GET HELP TO FIND A JOB Get Your License/Certificate Get Your Education Documents Evaluated

The following are lists of regulated PROFESSIONS: If you have any educational documents with you (a diploma, certificate, Get Your Education DocumentsEvaluated Get Your License/Certificate Accountants Lawyers etc.) you should have it translated into English (if it is not in English Architects Mechanical Engineers already) and evaluated. This is important for many reasons: Architectural Technologists and Technicians Medical Laboratory Aerospace Engineers Technologists • To show an employer during a job interview and to prove your Bakers Midwives Chemical Engineers Occupational Therapists credentials Chemists Optometrists Chiropractors Paralegals • To write the Canadian equivalency on your resume so employers Civil Engineers Paramedical Occupations and Ambulance understand your education Computer Engineers Attendants Dental Assistants Pharmacists • To apply for additional training or education at a college/ Dentists and Dental Surgeons Physiotherapists Electrical and Electronics Psychologists university, etc. Engineers Real Estate Agents and Salespersons Financial Auditors and Accountants Registered Nurse and Psychiatric Nurses • To apply for a professional licence Forestry Technologists and Technicians Registered Practical Nurses General Practitioners and Family Physicians Respiratory Therapists • To compare it to Canadian academic credentials and gain a (Doctors) Specialist Physicians Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists Teacher, Elementary or Secondary School better understanding of how your Industrial and Manufacturing Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters occupation fits in Ontario Engineers Veterinarians There are several organizations that can evaluate your educational documents for a fee. Some can only evaluate for educational purposes, but other organizations can evaluate your documents so that they can Alignment and Brakes Technician Mobile Crane Operator AutobodyThe following and Collision are lists Damage of regulated Repairer TRADES: Motorcycle Mechanic be used for the purposes of education, employment, immigration, Autobody Repairer Plumber apprenticeship, and licensing with professional associations. Below is Automotive Electronic Accessory Technician Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic a list of organizations: Automotive Service Technician Sheet Metal Worker Electrician (Construction and Steamfitter Maintenance) Tower Crane Operator International Credential World Education Services University of Toronto Electrician (Domestic and Rural) Transmission Technician Fuel and Electrical Systems Truck and Coach Technician Assessment Service of (WES) Comparative Education Technician Truck-Trailer Service Technician Canada (ICAS) Evaluation for: Employment, Service Hairstylist Immigration, Evaluation for: Employment, Evaluation for: Employment, Licensing, Apprenticeship, Immigration, Immigration Higher Education Licensing, Apprenticeship, Toronto:315 Bloor Street West Higher Education Toronto:45 Charles Street East, 416-978-2190 Suite 700, Guelph:100 Stone Road West, www.adm.utoronto.ca/ces 416-972-0070 or Suite 303, 1-866-343-0070 519-763-7282 or Web Resource 1-800-321-6021 www.wes.org/ca If you work in the trades, but were trained outside of Ontario, www.icascanada.ca you can get help to get your Certificate of Qualification to work in Ontario. Go to: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/foreign.html

52 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 53 GET HELP TO FIND A JOB LEARN ENGLISH Start Your Own Business Find A School To Learn English

If you are thinking about starting your own business, you can call or You will hear about two kinds of English classes for adults: ESL Find ASchoolTo LearnEnglish Start Your Own Business visit one of these organizations to help you every step of the way. (English as a Second Language) and LINC (Language Instruction for There is a lot to do when you start a business, so be sure to ask for Newcomers to Canada). They are the same thing (grammar is help! grammar, no matter what the program is called!) The difference is in who can go to these classes and which government pays for the SELF-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS program. Below is all the information you need to know to join an ESL or LINC class. Job Skills Newcomer Centre of Peel Self-Employment Benefits Global Business Centre LINC (Language Instruction for ESL (English as a Second Language) Program Mississauga:165 Dundas Street Newcomers to Canada) • Open to almost anyone who wants to learn West, Suite 200, English as a second language (visitors must pay) Brampton:199 County Court • To learn about LINC classes in Peel and Boulevard, Suite 102, 905-306-0577, ext. 308 • Full and part-time classes available, can be Halton visit:www.lincpeelhalton.com government funded (free or small material 905-460-8585 www.palc.ca • Full and part-time classes available; free charge) or private (must pay) Mississauga:55 City Centre • Some schools have child minding available;• Funded by the provincial government Drive, Suite 701, free (Government of Ontario) 905-306-7104 • Funded by the federal government • Many “specialized” classes might also be www.jobskills.org (Government of Canada) called “ESL”, such as: TOEFL, Reading & • Must be a permanent resident or Writing, Conversation, Business English and Convention Refugee; 17 years or older more; it is important to ask what kind of ESL classes an organization offers. You must first be tested BEFORE you go to a SELF-EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTRES LINC class; the testing/assessment locations Contact your local school board, college or the are: LINC Assessment Centre to find out about ESL Brampton Small Business Halton Business classes. You can also ask one of the agencies Enterprise Centre Development Centre listed in this guide under “Find Help in Your Own Language”. 33 Queen Street West, 1st Oakville:1151 Bronte Road, Mississauga Floor, 905-874-2650 905-825-6000 or 2 Robert Speck Pkwy, Suite. 800, www.brampton-business.com 1-866-442-5866 905-279-0024 ext. 1369 TTY 905-827-9833 3233 Brandon Gate Drive, Unit 6, (hearing impaired) Caledon Business Centre 905-677-0007, ext. 1 Did You Know? www.halton.ca/business Bolton:12596 #50 South, If you cannot attend a LINC class, you Unit 2, 905-857-7393 Brampton www.caledonbusinesscentre.com Mississauga Business 263 Queen Street East, Unit 14, might be eligible for the LINC Home Study program. Enterprise Centre (MBEC) 905-595-0722, ext. 4101 You can study English at home using books, tapes, or 301 Burnhamthorpe Road online using your computer. A teacher calls you every Halton West, 905-615-4460 week and you study the same topics as students in www.mississauga.ca/mbec (Acton, Burlington, Georgetown, Milton and Oakville) class, only you are doing it from your home! You still Various locations have to go to an assessment centre to determine your 905-875-3851, ext. 1369 level of English. For more information, call 1-866-277-5462 ext 1257 or go online at: www.tcet.com/linchomestudy

54 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 55 LEARN ENGLISH LEARN ENGLISH Test Your English Level Learn English For Your Occupation

Colleges, universities, and good private schools will require you to Enhanced Language Training (ELT) is a more advanced ESL Occupational English Test Your English Level prove your level of English. The most popular accepted test is TOEFL, program which also includes an unpaid work placement to get but you will have to check with the Admissions Department of the Canadian work experience. You will learn business English, school in which you are interested to be sure they accept TOEFL results. how to look for a job in Canada, how to write resumes, and You can study for the tests on your own (you can buy study books or they will connect with an employer in Canada to get Canadian borrow them from the library) or you can take a preparation course. work experience. Each organization manages its own ELT Many schools that offer ESL training also offer TOEFL and other program in a different way, so be sure to ask for details. See courses. “Getting help to find a job: Enhanced Language Training” on Below is a summary of the most common English language page 49 of this guide for a list of programs and locations. assessment tests: TOEFL CLBA (Test of English as a Foreign Language) (Canadian Language Benchmarks • Multiple choice questions Assessment) • Colleges usually require a minimum score of • Assesses listening, speaking, reading, and 540 writing • Universities usually require a minimum score • There are 12 benchmark levels of 580 • Nationally recognized assessment for adult • To learn all about the tests, test dates and ESL (English as a second language) locations, visit the website: www.ets.organd • Must be eligible for the LINC program to do click on TOEFL this assessment • Recognized to enter LINC classes, but not by colleges and universities TSE • To learn more, visit the website at: (Test of Spoken English) www.language.ca • Tests communication skills in speaking and listening • Administered by the same organization as TOEFL. Visitwww.ets.org

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) “English is a funny language; • IELTS is being accepted more and more by educational institutions, but TOEFL is more that explains why we park our widely accepted • To learn more, check the website at: car on the driveway and drive www.ielts.ca our car on the parkway.” Author Unknown

56 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 57 EDUCATION & TRAINING EDUCATION & TRAINING Adult Education High School Diploma For Adults

Lifelong learning is considered to be very important in the world of If you are an adult who does not have a high school diploma, there High SchoolDiplomaForAdults Adult Education work. Employers will look at the additional courses, training, and are two ways you can get one. Contact one of the school boards professional development you have done during your career. It is below (adult education departments) and ask about completing the also a chance for you to learn new skills, do something just for fun, Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). and to increase your knowledge. Peel District School Board Halton District School Board Brampton:905-791-6700, ext. 6400 Gary Allan High School Mississauga:905-270-6000, ext. 420 Burlington:905-632-2944 www.peel.edu.on.ca/alt_programs/adult_ed/index.htm Halton Hills:905-873-8783 Milton:905-632-2944 Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Oakville:905-845-7542 Board www.garyallan.ca 905-891-9263 www.dpcdsb.org/CEC/CNE/ Halton Catholic District School Board Oakville:905-849-7555 Burlington:905-632-5858 www.haltonalc.com

GED & ACE: Two different kinds of high school diplomas

General Educational Development (GED) Academic & Career Entrance Certificate If you want to try to get your diploma faster (ACE) and work on your own, you can write the GED The ACE program is another way you can test and be awarded an Ontario High School try to get your grade 12 equivalency. It is Equivalency Certificate. recognized as an equivalent to an OSSD • Go online at www.ilc.org to learn more (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) by all • You can study at home, online, or take Ontario community colleges and is accepted courses by a number of employers as a grade 12 • There are five tests to pass in order to be equivalency. Contact any of the programs awarded the GED, which is accepted by the listed on the next pages under “Academic Ontario government as equivalent to an Upgrading” for more information. Ontario high school diploma • Contact any of the organizations listed below in “Adult Upgrading” for help and information about getting your GED

58 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 59 EDUCATION & TRAINING EDUCATION & TRAINING Academic Upgrading - Improve Your Math, Reading & Writing Academic Upgrading - Improve Your Math, Reading & Writing

If you need some help improving your skills in reading, writing, math (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION Academic Upgrading-ImproveYour Math,Reading &Writing Academic Upgrading - Improve Your Math, Reading &Writing and more, there are many organizations to help you. Improving these skills will make you feel better about yourself and improve your Halton Catholic District School Board Sheridan Institute of Technology chances for a better job. Oakville: and Advanced Learning 171 Speers Road, Unit # 1, Oakville: 905-849-7555 PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Skills Training Centre, Burlington: 407 Iroquois Shore Road, Room A23, Le College du Savoir Sheridan Institute of Technology 760 Brant Street, Suite 401A, 905-845-9430, ext 8009 905-632-5858 www1.sheridaninstitute.ca Brampton: and Advanced Learning www.haltonalc.com 20, rue Nelson O., Bureau 403, Brampton: 905-457-7884 The Centre for Skills Davis Campus, Literacy Council of Burlington 7899 McLaughlin Road, Development & Training Burlington: Peel Adult Learning Centre 905-459-7533, ext 5727 Burlington: Upper Canada Place, Mississauga: www1.sheridaninstitute.ca 460 Brant Street, Suite 21, Bay Area Learning Centre, 5940 Wallace Street, 905-631-1770 860 Harrington Court, 905-507-0111 905-333-3499, ext. 132 Skills for Employment, Life and Family www.literacycouncil.ca www.thecentre.on.ca Mississauga: Brampton: 165 Dundas Street West, Suite 502, Brampton Civic Centre, 150 Central Park Literacy North Halton 905-507-2666 Drive, Suite 316, YMCA Career Development Georgetown/Milton/Acton: 905-793-5400 and Learning Centre Peel District School Board 72 Mill Street, Mississauga: 905-873-2200 Burlington: Mississauga: 151 City Centre Drive, Suite 302, www.literacynh.org 500 Drury Lane, City South Plaza, 905-273-5196 905-681-1140, ext 257 7700 Hurontario Street, Unit 300, www.skillsforself.org www.mydreamjob.ca 905-791-6700, ext. 6401 Mississauga: Morning Star Middle School, 3131 Morning Star Drive, 905-791-6700, ext. 6401 Brampton: 100 Elm Drive, 905-791-6700, ext. 6401 www.peelschools.org

60 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 61 Colleges and Universities 63 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services Colleges and Universities Colleges Colleges Universities EDUCATION & TRAINING & EDUCATION www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/list/college.html www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/list/college.html www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/list/univers.html www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/list/univers.html For a complete list of colleges and universities in Ontario, in Ontario, and universities list of colleges a complete For websites: check these www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/secondcareer www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/secondcareer www.employmentontario.ca www.employmentontario.ca within the past three years or parental were eligible for Employment Insurance, Maternity benefits within the past five years Or talk with any of the agencies listed in this guide, under “Get Or talk with any of the agencies help to find a job”. Ontario Skills Development training to Ontario Skills Development can help you with short-term with: build your skills and get a job. It can provide you help for books and tuition fees • Financial job • Better chances for finding a long-term if you: may qualify for the program You • Are unemployed were eligible • Are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI), or adopted child, and work to care for a newborn or newly • Left Call 1-800-387-5656 or TTY 416-325-4084 (hearing impaired) for more information Or visit: Or talk with any of the agencies listed in this guide, under “Get help to find a job”. Second Career Second because you need training Do you feel Are you unemployed? financial be eligible for some a job? If yes, you may you can’t get training may be some people, the government. For assistance from they can get a job. the only way Ontario government program that offers Second Career is an including financial support. Second Career training for a new job, and financial support to help laid-offprovides career planning training for a new job. long-term Ontarians participate in or TTY 416-325-4084 (hearing impaired) Call: 1-800-387-5656 for more information Or visit the website: Train For A New Job For A New Train 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services

Train For A New Job 62 EDUCATION & TRAINING & EDUCATION EDUCATION & TRAINING DRIVING Learn While You Get Paid Get Your Driver’s Licence

There are many ways to travel, depending on how far you have to Get Your Driver’sLicence Learn While You Get Paid Apprenticeship go! You can drive, take the bus (called public transit), take a train Apprenticeship is an on-the-job training program for people who (called the GO Train), take a taxi, ride a bike, or walk. In Toronto, want to work in a skilled trade (for example: plumber, construction there is a subway system called the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission). worker, cook, etc.) It includes learning new skills from skilled You have lots of choices! Below, you will find information for each of journeypersons (these are people who have certification). these types of travel to make the best choice for you and your family. Apprenticeship training can provide well-paying jobs that demand a high level of skill, judgment and creativity. Apprentices are paid Driver’s Licence- Quick Facts while gaining work experience, and their wages increase with their • You must have a valid Ontario Driver’s Licence to drive level of skill. • You must be 16 years old or older to drive in Ontario There are currently over 140 apprenticeable trades in Ontario in four • You must pass a vision test sectors: construction, industrial / manufacturing, motive power and service. • You must pass a test of your knowledge of the rules of the road and traffic signs To find out more information, call Employment Ontario at: • After you pass these tests, you will get a Class G1 licence and a 1-800-387-5656 driver information package for new drivers. You must pass two 1-866-768-1157 TTY (hearing impaired) road tests to become fully licensed Newcomers to Ontario can ask for this information in the language • A new driver must hold a G1 licence for a minimum of 12 of their choice months before trying the G1 road test You can find apprenticeship • After you pass your G1 Test, you will be given a G2 licence training programs at colleges WEB RESOURCE which you must have for 12 months before you can do the G2 across Ontario on this website: For information about apprenticeship Driving test and then be fully licenced in Ontario www.ontariocolleges.ca and a list of all the trades in Ontario, To learn all about driving and licensing in Ontario, go to the visit: www.apprenticesearch.com Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at: – click on “About Trades” www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/index.html Job Connect Training Incentive / Wage Subsidy Program This program assists unemployed individuals who don’t have recent work experience or are having difficulties getting work. The Helpful Advice government gives the company who hires you some money (called If you are a first-time driver or a new driver in Canada, you may want to take some a “subsidy”) to help pay for your salary. Contact the organizations driving lessons. It will help you pass the test and your insurance rates could be a little on page 42 of this guide under “Get Help to Find a Job: Programs lower if you show proof of taking lessons. For a list of approved driving schools in & Services”. Ontario, check the Driving School Association of Ontario at: www.dsao.com

64 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 65 DRIVING DRIVING Get Your Driver’s Licence Get Your Driver’s Licence Get Your Driver’sLicence

Get Your Driver’s Licence To get your Driver’s Licence in Ontario: Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Offices Visit your closest “DriveTest Driver Examination Centre” and bring If you already have an Ontario driver’s licence, everything you need to personal identification (originals only). do to keep your licence (get a licence plate, get a plate sticker, etc.) can be done at these offices:

(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION Driver Examination Centres Did You Know? 6295 Mississauga Road Brampton Brampton: North, Unit 101, If you want to drive a car in MississaugaSquare One Mall (Lower 2150 Steeles Ave E., 59 First Gulf Blvd, Unit 9 Level) 100 City Centre Drive, 905-826-6151 905-792-0081 Ontario, you must have it 905-276-4357 1425 Dundas Street East, Burlington: registered with the province Wexford Square Plaza, Sheridan Mall- 2225 Erin Unit #2, 905-629-1364 1 Wexford Road, Unit 13, Burlington Power Centre (you renew this every year with Mills Parkway, Unit 24, 905-840-7433 1250 Brant St, Unit 2 a licence plate sticker) and you 905-855-0082 4 McLaughlin Rd, Unit 8, Oakville: must have insurance for your car. 905-452-1132 2035 Cornwall Rd It’s the law! 1-888-570-6110 www.drivetest.ca (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION

Burlington Oakville Milton Burlington Square Plaza, New Trafalgar Village Mall, 197 Main Street East, 760 Brant Street, Suite 26A, 105 Cross Avenue, 905-878-5210 Did You Know? 905-639-6691 905-337-8751 A driver who reaches his/her 80th birthday must contact the Ministry of Transportation to 3455 Fairview Street, Georgetown take a vision test, written test, and attend a Senior Driver Group Education Session. 905-681-7343 28 Main Street South, A decision will also be made if a driving test is needed. This process must be repeated 905-877-3078 every two years. You can get more information online at www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/senior or call 1-800-396-4233 to make an appointment.

66 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 67 Seat Belts & Car Seats Drinking & Driving Law 69 DRIVING 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services Seat Belts & Car Seats Seat Belts Drinking & Driving Law Don’t drink and drive! means there is 50 milligrams of alcohol in every 100 millilitres of means there is 50 milligrams of alcohol in every blood) In Ontario, every person travelling in a vehicle must wear a seat belt must wear in a vehicle travelling every person In Ontario, seat belt for not wearing your safety seat. The penalty or use a child driver’s lose “points” on your to $500 and you can is a fine of up years of passengers under 16 are responsible for licence. Drivers The police won’t seat properly. seat belt or a child car age to use a you will get it! give your child a ticket- car seat; the child can start using a seatbelt A child must be in a child when the child is: • 8 years old tall • 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) 36 kg (80 lb.) • Weighs driving” laws in Ontario has some of the toughest “drinking and North America. immediately for: Licensed drivers will lose (suspension) their licence • refusing a breath test 0.05 or more (this • registering a blood alcohol concentration of from 0.05 to Drivers who register a blood alcohol concentration at roadside for 0.08 (known as the "warn range") lose their licence 3, 7 or 30 days. of getting your And if you are a new driver still in the process or your licence will licence, you must have zero blood alcohol level be suspended for 30 days. What does this all mean when you drive in Ontario? Brampton , Centre Drive 25 Peel Brampton, Shoppers World 499 Main Street South Milton 55 Ontario Street Meadowvale Town Centre, Meadowvale Town 6677 Meadowvale Town Centre Circle Square One, 100 City Centre Drive Oakville Mall, Ave 240 Leighland (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/used.htm www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/used.htm PEEL REGION Buy A Car ServiceOntario Kiosks ServiceOntario www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/kiosk www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/kiosk Mississauga , 1250 South Service Road Centre, Erin Mills Town 5100 Erin Mills Pkwy Pay for your driver’s licence renewal at a machine! This machine is at a machine! This your driver’s licence renewal for Pay need is bank machine. All you and it looks like a called a “kiosk” these or debit card to use Card, American Express, your Visa, Master You inside of shopping malls. are usually located machines. They personalized plates, change an order can renew your plate sticker, a list of kiosks throughout Ontario, visit: For address, pay fines, etc. Buying a New Car know about to people you a dealership. Talk can buy a new car from You can etc. You a car, cars they have liked to drive, where they went to buy phone book. find a list of dealerships in the yellow pages of your Buying a Used Car to purchase If you buy or sell a used vehicle, the seller is responsible learn To Information Package. and show the buyer a Used Vehicle more about buying and selling a used vehicle and where to purchase this package, visit any Service Ontario kiosk, or Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Offices (locations listed in this guide), or go online at: HALTON REGION HALTON Burlington Burlington Mall, 777 Guelph Line Get Your Driver’s Licence Driver’s Get Your 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services

Get Your Driver’s Licence Buy A Car 68 DRIVING HOW TO TRAVEL IN YOUR CITY HOW TO TRAVEL IN YOUR CITY Buses & Trains Buses & Train

Each city in Ontario has its own local buses, streetcars, subway, etc. Buses &Trains Buses & Trains Taking more than one bus/subway/train? It’s called “public transit” and the cost will be different in each city. Don’t pay twice! Public transit is less expensive than driving. You can pay for public transit with money (usually you need to have the exact amount) or Sometimes you need to take more than one bus, streetcar or train by buying a ticket, or with a bus pass. You can go to your local to get to where you want to go. When this happens, you need a library to pick up public transit maps or go to one of these websites. transfer. A transfer is a piece of paper that tells the driver that you do not have to pay again. Ask the driver for a transfer when you get on the first bus or streetcar. At subway stations, transfers are available PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) from machines. Transfers are only valid for a limited period of time. GO Train Mississauga Transit Town of Caledon A train system that 905-615-4636 GO Transit is the only public connects Toronto to www.mississauga.ca/portal/ transportation system in residents/publictransit Caledon. cities in the Greater Wheelchair PEEL REGION Toronto Area Accessible Public Transit (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) www.gotransit.ca 905-874-2999 If you are in a wheelchair or Peel TransHelp(no service in Caledon) www.brampton.ca/transit/home.tml 1-888-438-6646 have other difficulties to travel, 905-791-1015 many cities and towns have www.region.peel.on.ca/transhlp/index.htm special public transit to help you TTC (Toronto Transit HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) (for example, special buses to HALTON REGION Commission) pick you up in your wheelchair). (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) Burlington Transit Milton Transit A subway system You must contact the public 905-639-0550 905-815-2020 (operated by Handi-Van that connects to http://cms.burlington.ca/ Oakville Transit) transit system in your city to 905-639-5158 Page146.aspx www.milton.ca/residents/transit/ buses and streetcars fill out an application and http://cms.burlington.ca/Page2279.aspx throughout the city miltontransit.htm determine if you are eligible of Toronto Oakville Transit for this service. Halton Hills Acti-Van 905-815-2020 Halton Hills www3.ttc.ca 905-873-2601, ext. 2617 www.oakvilletransit.ca GO Transit is the only public www.town.halton-hills.on.ca/transit 416-393-4636 transportation system in Halton Hills. “A bus is a vehicle that Milton Specialized Transit 905-878-7252, ext .2182 runs twice as fast when www.milton.ca/residents/transit/miltontransit.htm Web Resource you are after it as when To find public transit services Oakville care-A-van throughout the Greater you are in it.” 905-815-2020 Author Unknown www.oakvilletransit.com/careavan.htm Toronto Area (GTA) go online at: www.findtheway.ca

70 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 71 HOW TO TRAVEL IN YOUR CITY HOW TO TRAVEL IN YOUR CITY Taxis, Bikes, & Walking Taxis, Bikes, & Walking Taxis, Bikes, &Walking

Taxis, Bikes, &Walking Taxi Riding Your Bike Taking a taxi is fast and convenient, but it can also be expensive. • Every cyclist under the age of 18 must wear a helmet There are two ways that the cost of a taxi ride can be determined. (although it is recommended that all cyclists, no matter what First, it could be a fixed price. For example, going from Pearson age, wear a helmet for safety) International Airport to Mississauga might be a flat fee rate of • You have to obey all traffic rules, just like a car (For example, $40.00. Or your price will be based on the distance you travel. The if you are at a red light, you must stop until it turns green) taxi will have a “meter” inside of the car. When the taxi shows up at your door, this meter will have a minimum amount already • Ride your bike in the same direction as the cars calculated and then as you drive, the amount will continue to • Bicycles are not allowed on highways increase. The amount on the meter when you reach your location is the amount you must pay. It is also common to “tip” the driver, just • For more interesting biking information, go online: as you would a restaurant server or hairdresser. www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling-guide/index.shtml To find a taxi, look under “Taxis” in the yellow pages of your phone book. Walking Bike Riding and Walking • When you walk, you are called a “pedestrian” The two healthiest, cheapest, and pollution-free ways to travel • Wherever there is a stoplight there will also be a pedestrian are biking and walking! If you like being outdoors, you like being signal; follow the signal when to stop or go physically active, and you don’t have too far to go, consider taking • Cars should always let pedestrians (people walking) go first, but your bike or walking. be careful; some drivers don’t follow the rules! • Canada is safe, but everyone needs to be careful when walking. Here are some tips for you, especially if you are a woman or a senior: • Try not to walk alone at night • Stay in areas that have good lighting and lots of people • Bring a whistle or something that will make a loud noise

72 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 73 DOCTORS & HOSPITALS DOCTORS & HOSPITALS Find A Doctor Hospitals

You are responsible to find your (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION Hospitals Find A Doctor • Visit www.cpso.on.ca and click on own family doctor. You should do “Doctor Search” Brampton Mississauga Trillium Health Centre this as soon as you receive your 100 Queensway West, William Osler Health Centre - The Credit Valley Hospital • Call: 1-800-268-7096 905-848-7100 OHIP card. When you call, ask: “Is 2200 Eglinton Avenue West, the doctor taking new patients?” • Look in the yellow pages 2100 Bovaird Drive East, 905-813-2200 www.trilliumhealthcentre.org 905-494-2120 Some doctors will not take new of your phone book and www.cvh.on.ca www.williamoslerhc.on.ca patients because they are too busy, look under “Physicians and so you may have to keep looking. Surgeons” (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION If you want to find a pediatrician • Look in the yellow pages for Burlington Georgetown Oakville (children’s doctor) you would also Walk-in Clinics. Look under Joseph Brant Memorial Georgetown Hospital Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial search in the same way as a family Hospital 1 Princess Anne Drive, Hospital “Clinics- Medical”. Even if 1230 North Shore Boulevard, 905-873-0111 327 Reynolds Street, doctor. To find a doctor, you can you don’t have a family 905-632-3730 www.haltonhealthcare.com 905-845-2571 do many things: doctor, you can always use www.jbmh.com www.haltonhealthcare.com a walk-in clinic (and some Milton Milton District Hospital have family practices) 30 Derry Road East, Did You Know? 905-878-2383 • Ask everyone you know for Did You Know? If you need to see a specialist doctor www.haltonhealthcare.com a doctor referral If an ambulance takes you to (for example a cardiologist for heart the hospital, OHIP pays for disease or a dermatologist for skin most of it, except for a $45 fee problems, etc.) you have to pay. If you take an you cannot call these doctors directly. Helpful Advice ambulance to the hospital and Your family doctor must first refer you. Imagine it is 3:00 in the morning and your child the doctor thinks it was not an seems to be sick. You are not sure what to do or emergency situation, you will where to take your child. Maybe you’re not sure if have to pay the full cost for this is an emergency situation or if your child just the ambulance! So make sure Find A Dentist has a bad cold? it is an emergency situation. Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, 24 Dental care is not covered by • Visit www.oda.on.ca and click on

Find A Dentist hours a day, 7 days per week. You will always OHIP (Ontario government). You “Find a Dentist” speak with a registered nurse who can help you. will have to pay for your own • Look in the yellow pages of treatments, unless you have this your phone book under as a benefit through your work. “Dentists” To find a dentist in Ontario, you can: • Ask everyone you know for a dentist referral

74 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 75 DOCTORS & HOSPITALS MONEY Healthy Living Emergency Help

Peel Regional Health Unit Emergency Help Healthy Living Public Health Departments Ontario Works Mississauga/Brampton:905-799-7700 Need some information how to Caledon:905-584-2216 The Ontario Works program, funded by the provincial government, stop smoking? Need information TTY 1-888-919-7800 provides income and employment assistance for people who are in about breastfeeding? How about (hearing impaired) temporary financial need. Some clients may also be eligible healthy eating suggestions? The www.peelregion.ca/health for drug and dental coverage, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other public health department in Halton Region Health Department needs. This program is not about simply receiving money from the your region can provide you Dial 311 (If you live in Halton) or call government; clients must participate in the changes needed to be with answers, information, and 905-825-6000 or financially self-sufficient. The Ontario Works program helps you 1-866-442-5866 advice on how to stay healthy. TTY 905-827-9833 achieve this through: (hearing impaired) Everything is free. Check the • Job skills training website for information or call. www.halton.ca/health Did You Know? • Employment Placement To apply for Maternity or Parental benefits • Teaching you how to look for (this is when you have a newborn and will a job (resumes, interviews, stay home with the baby for a period of etc.) time) or for Sick benefits (which stops you from working) or for Compassionate Care • Literacy screening and benefits (for people who are caring for a assistance family member who is very sick with a risk To learn more about Ontario of death) you go to a Service Canada Works, to apply, and to determine Office (listed on page 23) to apply. if you are eligible, visit or call your local Ontario Works office.

Peel Social Services Department- Halton Social and Community Services Ontario Works Department- Ontario Works Apply via phone interview Apply via phone interview 905-793-9200 or 905-825-8888 or 1-800-327-5379 1-866-442-5866, ext. 888 905-451-6108 (after business hours) www.halton.ca/SCS/FinancialAssistance/ontarioworks TTY 905-793-5173 (hearing impaired) www.peelregion.ca/ow/index.htm

76 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 77 MONEY MONEY Emergency Help Taxes

There are many kinds of taxes in Canada, but three kinds you will Taxes Emergency Help Employment Insurance (EI) hear about most often are: income tax, GST, and PST. Employment Insurance (EI) provides income to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own (for example, due to a short- Income Tax age of work, seasonal work or lay-offs). You must be available and This is the money the government deducts (takes) from your pay at able to work, and you must look for a job while receiving EI income. work. Each year, before April 30, you will have to fill out an “income If you voluntarily quit your job without “just cause” (a good reason) tax return”. It is the law. If the government took too much money, or if you are fired due to your own misconduct, you will not be paid you will get a “refund”. If you didn’t pay enough taxes, you will have regular benefits. to pay the government. Apply for Employment Insurance as soon as you lose your job. Your Get help to do your first “tax return”. There are free tax clinics near employer must give you a Record of Employment (ROE) or send it to tax time to help you. Ask one of the “settlement” agencies listed in the government electronically. Don’t wait until you get your Record of this guide on page 12. Employment to apply for EI benefits. Apply right away and you can submit your ROE at a later date. Online: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/clncs/on-eng.html Call: 1-800-959-8281 Labour Community Services of Peel GST (Goods and Services Tax) If you need some help filling out government forms after you have lost your job, this GST is 5%. You pay the GST whenever you buy anything. organization can help you with the papers and the process. PST (Provincial Sales Tax) Mississauga:989 Derry Road East, Suite 403, 905 696-7444 Helpful Advice In Ontario, the PST rate is generally 8%, but some items (such as www.bmdlc.ca When you end your job, no matter the alcohol and cigarettes) have higher rates. You pay PST on the selling reason, your employer must give you a price of taxable goods and services. form called a “Record of Employment” GST and PST are added to the price whenever applicable. (ROE) within 5 days of your last day on the job. If you are having difficulties For example, if you buy a sweater that costs $29.99, the sales clerk getting this form, visit your local Service adds 13% (GST + PST) so you now must pay $33.89 for that Canada office for help sweater. (listed in this guide on page 23) or call 1-800-206-7218.

WEB RESOURCE Filing taxes your first year in Canada: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/ndvdls/nwcmr-eng.html

78 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 79 MONEY EMERGENCY Credit Counselling Emergency Phone Numbers

• Do you carry a high balance If you need help to get yourself If you are in an emergency Emergency PhoneNumbers Credit Counselling You can call 911 for: on your credit cards? Do you out of debt, there are free services situation, or you see someone • fire only pay the minimum to help you. They don’t pay your else needs emergency help, call amount? debt for you or give you money, 911. When you call, the very first • crime • Do you find it difficult to pay but they will help you create a thing the person will say to you is • someone needs emergency your bills on time? plan so you can work towards “Police, Fire, or Ambulance”. Say medical attention financial freedom. Call any of which one you need. The person • Are you receiving calls from these agencies to get help. will transfer your call to that • any emergency situation when agencies about late payments? emergency service. Be prepared you need the help of police, to answer questions, such as: fire or ambulance Credit Canada InCharge Debt Solutions • Where are you located? 1-800-267-2272 1-888-424-3093 What is the exact address? Emergency Phone Numbers www.creditcanada.com www.inchargecanada.ca • What is the situation? Police, Ambulance, Fire • Who is involved in the (emergency only) situation? 911 If you don’t speak English, or TTY 1-800- 990-8199 prefer to speak in your native (hearing impaired) language, ask for help in your language. For example, say: “Speak Polish”. There are more Police (Non-emergency) than 150 languages in the 911 system to help you. Peel Police 905-453-3311 Halton Police Helpful Advice 905-878-5511 You can report a crime to the police Ontario Provincial Police without having to give your name. (OPP) 1-888-310-1122 The police need the public’s help to solve 1-888-310-1133 TTY crimes, and if you don’t want to give your name, but want to help the police, you can call Crime Stoppers at: 416-222-TIPS (416-222-8477)

80 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 81 EMERGENCY EMERGENCY Emergency Phone Numbers Help If You Don’t Have A Place To Live

Sometimes people and families get into financial difficulties and they Help IfYou Don’tHaveAPlaceTo Live Emergency Phone Numbers Crisis Phone Numbers need help. There is no shame in asking for and receiving help from If you need the police or ambulance or fire department, call 911. government-funded programs. If you cannot pay for your home or But if you need to talk to someone because you are feeling scared, you don’t have a place to live (called “homeless”) these organizations alone, or you are not sure what to do, call any one of these “crisis” can help you. phone numbers. A trained person will talk to you and help you. The calls are always “confidential” (you don’t have to give any personal Peel Region information). These people are here to listen and help. Street Helpline Peel 905-848-4357 Ontario Works 905-793-9200 or 1-800-327-5379 DISTRESS CENTRES- CHILDREN/YOUTH ANYONE CAN CALL Kid’s Help Phone Halton Region If you are feeling depressed, 1-800-668-6868 lonely, and/or suicidal, call Oakville Salvation Army 905-827-5324 someone immediately. They Burlington Salvation Army 905-637-3893 are here to listen and to help. WOMEN/GIRLS Milton Salvation Army 905-875-1022 Brampton 905-459-7777 Assaulted Women’s Helpline Acton Salvation Army 519-853-5610 1-866-863-0511 Georgetown Salvation Army905-877-1374 Peel (Mississauga, Brampton, 1-866-863-7868 TTY Halton after hours 905-825-6000 or 1-866-442-5866 Caledon) 905-278-7208 Rape Crisis Centre of Peel North Halton905-877-1211 905-273-9442 “We think sometimes that poverty is only being Oakville 905-849-4541 Halton Sexual Assault Centre 905-875-1555 hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of Telecare Burlington 1-877-268-8416 905-681-1488 905-825-3743 TTY being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our Help Line for the Deaf 416-561-9738 TTY own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” Mother Teresa Elder Abuse(Seniors) 1-866-299-1011

82 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 83 EMERGENCY EMERGENCY Help If You Don’t Have A Place To Live Help If You Can’t Buy Food

If you cannot provide food for yourself and your family, there is help. Help IfYou Can’tBuyFood Help If You Don’t Have A Place To Live Shelters A “food bank” is a place that has food for families and individuals A shelter is a place to stay if you have no home or you are in danger who really need it. Usually this food is “non-perishable”, which means if you stay in your home (for example, a person who is being it doesn’t go bad (usually food in cans and packages). Sometimes abused). Staying at a shelter is free and a temporary solution. you can walk into a food bank and get help immediately; other places Counsellors will help you find a more permanent housing solution, might require you are referred by an agency first. Some food banks as well as programs and services that can help you. Some shelters are open every day, while others might be only once a week in a are specific to youth, women and their children, or men. Some church or community centre. shelters take anyone. (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION

PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Caledon Community Knight’s Table Salvation Army Services Brampton:116 Kennedy Road Mississauga: South (Not visible from street), Peel’s Homeless Shelters Women's & Men's Shelters Women- Pregnant Bolton:18 King Street East, 2460 The Collegeway, 905-454-8725 905-820-8984 and Services(Mississauga, Brampton:Wilkinson Road Mississauga:Vita Manor, Upper Level, 905-951-2300 Brampton, Caledon) Shelter, 905-452-1335 905-858-0329 Mississauga: Call Ontario Works in Peel at Eden Food Bank Lakeshore Community 3020 Vanderbilt Road, 905-793-9200 or after busi- 905-824-0450 Women's & Children's Youth Shelter, Long-Term Mississauga: Outreach Centre- The ness hours at 905-451-6108 3051 Battleford Mississauga: Shelters Brampton:Our Place Peel, Road (Winston Churchill Blvd Compass 905-454-1048 & Battleford Road), 3167 Cawthra Road, Brampton:Salvation Army Mississauga:310 Lakeshore Family Shelter 905-785-3651 (church) 905-279-3941 Family Life Resource Centre, Road West (Lakeshore Road Brampton: Mississauga:Region of Peel 905-451-4115 Youth Shelter, Short-Term W), 905-274-9309 115 West Drive, Family Shelter, 905-272-7061 Mississauga:Interim Place I, Mississauga:Our Place Peel II, Foodpath 905-451-8840 905-403-0864 905-238-1383 Mississauga:2550 Goldenridge Ontario Inter-Cultural Long-Term Shelter Mississauga:Interim Place II, Road, Unit 36, (Dundas Street Community Services (OICS) Ste. Louise Outreach 905-676-8515 & Wharton Way), Brampton:St. Leonard's House, Centre of Peel 905-457-8312 905-270-5589 Mississauga:6915 Dixie Road, Unit 4, 905-696-9963 Brampton:32 Haggert Ave North, 905-454-2144 HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) Grace Food Bank Mississauga: Halton Region Halton Women’s Place Salvation Army 5865B Coopers Ave (Kennedy Road & Coopers Call Access Halton at Burlington:24-hour crisis line, Acton:519-853-5610 Ave), 905-501-8958 905-825-6000 (or dial 311),905-332-7892 or intake at: Burlington:905-637-3894 press “0” to speak to an 905-332-1593 Georgetown:905-877-1374 Did you know? operator and tell the operator Milton:24-hour crisis line, that you need emergency Milton:905-875-1022 If you suspect someone is homeless and would like to 905-878-8555 or intake at: shelter. Oakville Lighthouse Shelter: 905-878-8970 help, contact the Peel Outreach Program of the Canadian 905-339-2918 Mental Health Association at 905-451-2123 or visit their Halton Multicultural website at www.cmhapeel.ca. They can send out a staff Council person who will try to help and offer assistance. Temporary housing for newcomers and refugees 905-842-2486 www.halton-multicultural.org

84 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 85 EMERGENCY EMERGENCY Help If You Can’t Buy Food Get Legal Help / Find A Lawyer

HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) If you need a lawyer, ask friends and family for a referral. You can Get LegalHelp/FindALawyer Help If You Can’t Buy Food also call the Lawyer Referral Service. For $6.00, they will connect Acton Food Share Our Community Cares St. Vincent de Paul you with a lawyer who lives close to you and specializes in the kind Acton: Burlington: Holy Rosary Parish,287 Plains 350 Queen Street, Unit 6 356 Burloak Drive, Road East, 905-634-7441 of legal help you need. You can talk by phone with this lawyer for (Queen & Churchill Road), 905-631-1218 30 minutes free. 519-853-0457 Burlington: St. John's Parish, 702 Surrey Lane, 2016 Blairholme Ave, Call 1-900-565-4577 905-681-2777 905-634-2485 Fareshare Food Bank If you don’t have money for a lawyer, you can try to get Legal Aid. It is Oakville: 1240 Speers Road, Unit 6, Partnership West Family St. Paul the Apostle, for people who need a lawyer but have little or no money after you pay 905-847-3988 Support Network Food 2265 Headon Road, for basics like food and housing. Not all legal problems are covered by 905-332-5115 Bank Legal Aid. www.legalaid.on.ca Georgetown Bread Basket Burlington:1254 Plains Road St. Raphael's,4072 New Street, Georgetown: East, Unit 1A, 905-637-2273 905-637-2346 55 Sinclair Ave, Suite 12 (North of Guelph Street), (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION 905-873-3368 Salvation Army St. Gabriel's,2261 Parkway Oakville: Drive, 905-336-7144 Brampton Legal Aid Office Mississauga Community North Peel & Dufferin Kerr Street Ministries 1225 Rebecca Street, 905-827-6523 St. Patrick's,196 Kenwood Ave, Brampton:205 County Court Legal Services Community Legal Services Oakville: Blvd, Suite 200, Milton: 905-632-6114 Mississauga:130 Dundas Street Brampton:24 Queen Street 484 Kerr Street 905-453-1723 100 Nipissing Road, Unit 3, East, Suite 501A, East, Suite 601, (Kerr St & Speers Rd), 905-875-1022 905-896-2052 905-455-0160 905-845-7485 Burlington: Brampton Criminal Law 1800 Appleby Line, Unit 14, Office 905-637-3893 or Brampton:201 County Court 905-637-3894 Blvd, Suite 401, Web Resource 905-874-0147 or 1-866-296-0646 For legal information about renting, working, and so (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION much more, go to: www.cleo.on.ca for Halton Community Legal Oakville Legal Aid Office easy-to-read fact Services Oakville:277 Lakeshore Road East, Suite 211, sheets Georgetown:72 Mill Street, 905-845-7591 or 905-877-5256 or written in simple 1-800-387-4088 905-875-2069 language. Burlington:905-875-2069

86 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 87 EMERGENCY EMERGENCY Lost Or Stolen Identification Lost Or Stolen Identification

Losing your wallet or any piece of identification can be frightening Lost OrStolenIdentification Lost Or Stolen Identification Be Careful! Below are some methods and frustrating. As soon as you realize you have lost it, do the following criminals use: Looking for a job? You might see steps: • You’re asked to give personal or ads in the newspaper saying you financial information (by phone, email, • Contact your local police (do not dial 911, this is not an can make a lot of money fast! Or etc.) emergency). Tell them you have lost your wallet. Ask the maybe someone calls you at • You’re promised a valuable prize if you police officer to provide you with a copy of the “police report”. buy something home and says you won a free • You’re pressured to send money quickly See page 81 for a list of police departments. trip, or they have an “amazing” or you won’t be able to get the prize, offer for you. You have to be etc. • Call all of the financial institutions and banks that you deal with • You’re asked to “update” your so they can cancel your credit cards and debit cards careful with people who tell you information (by phone or email, etc.) these things. Sometimes they are • You’re asked to send money if you • Call the various government offices to let them know you have “scams” or “fraud”. This means want a loan lost your identification and to begin the process of replacing they are not true and these people • You’re asked to call a special number. them The number is often a long-distance call are trying to get your personal that results in you being billed at a Ontario Birth Certificate Canadian Citizenship Card information from you so they costly rate per minute • You’re asked to invest; don’t spend your 416-325-8305 or 1-800-461-2156 1-888-242-2100 can steal your money! In English, savings without carefully checking out we say “if it sounds too good the investment, product, service and Ontario Health Card Passport to be true”, it’s probably not true! investor 1-800-664-8988 1-800-567-6868 • You’re “guaranteed” a job if you take TTY 1-800-387-5559 (hearing impaired) their course or pay them money Social Insurance Number • You can make “big” money working Permanent Resident Card 1-800-206-7218 from home 1-888-242-2100 • You’re asked to donate money to a TTY 1-888-576-8502 (hearing impaired) Driver’s Licence Did You Know? charity (make sure the charity is a real one and offer to give directly to the Go to a Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Office Identity theft is when someone takes charity, not on the phone/email/at your your identification without you knowing front door) and then uses it to commit a crime, To learn more about “scams”, learn how Don’t forget! You may also have to protect yourself, or to report a these items in your wallet: Helpful Advice usually fraud. Fraud is when someone “scam”, visit: Make a list of everything you have in uses false information to get credit • Library cards your wallet and put it in a safe place in cards, money, or items from a store. • Debit cards your home. Update it regularly. If you To learn more about this and how to protect yourself, visit this website: www.phonebusters.com or call 1-888-654-9426. • Points cards (stores, gas, etc.) lose your wallet, you will know exactly what you have in there and who you www.safecanada.ca/identitytheft_e.asp • Membership cards (video need to call. Also, don’t carry important rental, fitness centre, etc.) documents in your wallet (like your Web Resource passport) that you don’t need every day. For a complete list of banks and credit unions, and lenders, visit this link: www.ontarioequity.com/canadian_banks_and_lenders.shtml

88 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 89 EMERGENCY EMERGENCY What To Do When Someone Dies What To Do When Someone Dies

When someone we love or know dies, it can be a very difficult What To DoWhenSomeoneDies What To Do When Someone Dies Is a funeral necessary? and emotional time. You may want to contact your religious place No. You can bury a member of your own family as long as you follow of worship when someone dies or a cultural group/association the legal steps. that has the same culture as you. They may be able to help, give you information and will respect how you want to arrange a funeral. Should I have a will? When the person dies A “will” is a legal document telling everyone, after you have died, what you want done with your money, the things you own, etc. You If the death was expected (example the person is very sick and you don’t have to have a will, but it is a good idea. When a person dies know he or she will die), call the doctor that was taking care of this and there is no will, everything is distributed according to the law. person. Or, call an ambulance. You may want to contact a lawyer if this happens. Who is responsible? It is the family’s responsibility or the “executor’s” responsibility Get emotional support to make final plans for the person who died. The “executor” is the The death of someone we know is Bereaved Families of Ontario- person asked by the person who died to take care of everything. very emotional. You don’t have to Halton/Peel Region 905-848-4337www.bereavedfamilies.ca Who do I call for a funeral? be alone at this time. There are organizations that can help you. Distress Centres Did You Know? Look in the yellow pages of your Call any one of these organizations Call one of the “Distress” Centres listed in this You can apply for Compassionate Care phone book under “Funeral” to help you during this very difficult guide on page 82. benefits. If you are caring for a family time. member who is very sick with a risk of How much does it cost? death. Go to a Service Canada Centre. Costs depend on what you want They are listed on page 23. to pay. Every funeral director is Did You Know? required by law to have price lists Employees who work for companies that available to the public. All funeral regularly employ at least 50 employees are entitled homes must also offer an inexpensive service known as 'direct to personal emergency leave in certain situations. disposition'. This means they will remove the body from the place of Personal emergency leave is an unpaid, death, place the body in a container or casket, and deliver the body job-protected leave of up to 10 days each year. to the cemetery or crematorium; they also file all necessary It may be taken in the case of a documentation. personal illness, injury, medical emergency, or a death, illness, injury, medical emergency Death Certificates relating to certain family members. The funeral director will give you a death certificate. This is important Employment Standards Information Centre because you will need it for insurance purposes, government, etc. 1-800-531-5551 or TTY 1-866-567-8893 (hearing impaired)

90 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 91 FAMILY FUN FAMILY FUN Canadian Holidays Outdoors

These holidays are “statutory”; which means most workers must have (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION CON’T Outdoors Canadian Holidays these days off. Heartlake Conservation Glen Haffy Conservation Albion Hills Campground/ New Year’s Day JanuaryArea 1 Area Conservation Area Family Day Third Monday in February Brampton:10818 Heart Lake Caledon:Located on Airport Caledon:16500 Hwy 50, Good Friday Friday in March or April Road, North of Sandalwood Road, 10 km north of 8 km north of Bolton, Victoria Day Monday before May 25 Pkwy East, 905-846-2494 Caledon East and 2 km 905-880-4855 Canada Day July 1 south of Hwy 9 Labour Day First Monday of Septemberwww.trca.on.ca Spectacular views of rolling Thanksgiving Day Second Monday of October hills and green valleys. Glen Belfountain Conservation Christmas Day December 25 Haffy is known for its trout Area Boxing Day December 26 Web Resource fishing ponds. Group picnic Caledon:Mississauga Road sites and hiking trails also For a complete list 905-670-1615 or These days are not statutory holidays in Ontario. Some companies available give their employees these days as a holiday, but it is not required of provincial parks in 1-800-668-5557 by law. Ontario, visit www.creditvalleycons.com www.ontarioparks.com Hiking, fishing, picnic area, Remembrance Day November 11 barbecues, washrooms, Easter Sunday Sunday after Good Friday nature trails Easter Monday Monday after Good Friday For travel ideas across Civic Holiday First Monday in August Ontario, visit www.ontariotravel.net (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills)HALTON REGION

Outdoors Paletta Lakefront Park & Bronte Creek Provincial Conservation Halton There is an expression in English: “Work hard, play hard”. It means Mansion Park To learn about parks, hiking, Outdoors and more in Halton Region, Halton Hills:4250 Lakeshore Oakville:1219 Burloak Drive that we all work so much that it’s important to include play time (for call any one of these parks Road, 905-632-7809 (QEW between Burlington and or visit the website for more all ages) so we can relax, deal with stress, and spend time with family www.burlington.ca Oakville. Exit at Burloak Drive details. 905-827-6911 and friends. There is so much to do in Peel and Halton! There are A 14-acre site along Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area beautiful parks, lakes, conservation areas, recreation facilities, free Burlington's waterfront at www.ontarioparks.com/English/bron. Lakeshore Road and html 905-878-1147 events and so much more. For some of these activities and parks, Shoreacres Crawford Lake Conservation Area, you do have to pay a fee. 905-854-0234 Hilton Falls Conservation Area, 905-854-0262 PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Erindale Park Kelso Conservation Area, (Dundas Street Lakeside Promenade Park Meadowvale Conservation 905-878-5011 “Life is best enjoyed when time periods Mount Nemo Conservation Area, West & Mississauga Road) (Lakeshore Road & Cawthra Area 905-854-0262 Mississauga:Largest park in Road) are evenly divided between labor, sleep, (Between Derry Road West Mountsberg Conservation Area, Mississauga; includes fishing, Mississauga:Public park is one bypass & Old Derry Road, walking trails, picnic areas of the largest waterfront at 2nd Line West) and recreation...all people should spend 905-854-2276 developments in Ontario; On the banks of the Credit www.conservationhalton.on.ca walking, biking trails, two River; group picnics and one-third of their time in recreation.” JC Saddington(West side of marinas, public boat launch fishing Brigham Young the mouth of the Credit River) access to Lake Ontario, picnic Mississauga:Park for picnics shelters, and family play- and fishing ground areas

92 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 93 FAMILY FUN MAKE FRIENDS Recreation Centres Say “Hello”

These are recreation centres managed by the city or town where you Lucy, a woman new to Ontario, was sitting outside the front of her Say “Hello” Recreation Centres live.They include fun for seniors, adults, and kids. home. A woman taking a walk in the neighbourhood waved her hand and said “hello”. Lucy thought: Is this woman talking to me? PEEL REGION(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Why is she saying hello to me? I don’t know her! Well, welcome to Brampton Parks & Recreation Mississauga Recreation & Parks Canada. It is not unusual for people to say hello to each other or Various locations, Various locations, to look, say nothing, but smile when you get in an elevator. Not 905-874-2000 905-615-4100 www.brampton.ca/parks-rec/home.tml www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/recreationandparks everyone will greet you, but don’t be surprised if someone does. Canadians have a reputation for being “polite”; and saying hello Caledon Centre for Recreation and when you take a walk in your neighbourhood can be very common. Wellness It’s important to make new friends now that you are in your new city 14111 Hwy 50 N Bolton, 905-857-3313 or 1-800-621-1287 or town. Joining clubs, taking walks in the park, volunteering, or www.caledoncentre.ca/index.html playing a sport can all be great ways to meet people and practice speaking English. HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) Make Canadian Friends Burlington Parks & Recreation Milton

The “Host” program matches newcomers with a Canadian family or Make CanadianFriends Various locations, 1100 Main St E, 905-335-7736 905-878-7252, ext 2211 individual. Host volunteers help you: www.enjoyburlington.com www.milton.ca/residents/facilities/lc.htm • with the stress of moving to a • practice English or French new country Halton Hills Recreation Oakville Recreation & Culture Department • prepare to look for a job Department Various locations, • learn about services and how 905-338-4250 • participate in community Various locations, www.oakville.ca/parksrec.htm to use them 905-873-2601, ext 2275 activities www.town.halton-hills.on.ca/recandparks Contact any one of these organizations to learn more about the HOST program. It is free.

(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)PEEL REGION

Afghan Women's Brampton Neighbourhood Dixie Bloor Organization Resource Centre Neighbourhood Centre Mississauga: Youth HOST Program Youth HOST 3050 Confederation Parkway, Brampton: Mississauga: Unit 206, 30 Kennedy Road South, 1420 Burnhamthorpe Road 905-279-3679, ext. 31 Unit 14, East, Unit 215, www.afghanwomen.org 905-453-4622 905-629-1873 www.bnrc.org www.dixiebloor.ca

94 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 95 MAKE FRIENDS Make Canadian Friends

PEEL REGION CON’T(Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Make Canadian Friends Newcomer Centre of Peel Peel Multicultural Council HYP (Host Youth Program) HOST for Adults and Youth Mississauga:165 Dundas Mississauga:Meadowvale Street West, Suite 200, Christian Academy, 6630 905-306-0577, ext. 234 Turner Valley Road, www.palc.ca 905-819-1144 www.peelmc.com

HALTON REGION(Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills) Halton Multicultural Council HOST and HOST Seniors Program Oakville: 1092 Speers Road, 905-842-2486, ext. 240 or 241 www.halton-multicultural.org

Ethno-Cultural Groups There are many clubs and Ethno-Cultural Groups Ethno-Cultural Peel Region groups of people who speak http://peel.cioc.ca your language or who are from and type in the words the same country or culture. “ethno-cultural groups” Some are small groups, and some are very large with their own building. Ask your family, Halton Region friends and religious place about some of these groups, or do a http://search.hipinfo.info search using these websites: and type in the words “ethno-culturalgroups”

96 2009 Newcomer’s Guide to Services 33 City Centre Drive Suite 545 Mississauga ON Canada L5B 2N5

Phone: 905-306-9588 Toll Free: 1-800-431-7774 Fax: 905-306-9590 Email: [email protected]

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