Community Resources

"I don't know anything about the community I am moving to."

In BC, free government services are available to help new immigrants to settle successfully in BC. It is important to know what community supports are available to you in the community in which you plan to live.

    Do you know where you plan to settle in Canada?

    To find information on communities in BC, click on:

    www.britishcolumbia.com
    click on Regions and Towns
    then scroll down and click on Region You Want to Explore

    For a listing of all the cities in BC, click on:
     
    http://cgii.gc.ca/m-BC-e.html
    click on the city you want to know about. 

It is important to know about the climate, cost of living, landscape, industries and cultural activities are in your community. BC is a large province and the lifestyle can be very different from one part of the province to another. Again - Do the Research.

APPROXIMATE COST OF MODERATE STANDARD OF LIVING IN BC

Single person
Shelter (2 bedroom apartment shared, including utilities) $507
Food (Agriculture Canada's Nutritious Food Basket) $207
Miscellaneous (personal/health care, clothing, household cleaning, communications) $208
Local public transportation      $64
Total allowance      $987

Single parent (excluding costs for child)
Shelter (1 bedroom apartment including utilities)  $778
Food (Agriculture Canada's Nutritious Food Basket) $207
Miscellaneous(personal/health care, clothing, household cleaning, communications $208
Local public transportation      $64
Total allowance      $1258

Married & spouse (excluding costs for child)
Shelter (2 bedroom apartment including utilities)  $1015
Food (Agriculture Canada's Nutritious Food Basket) $367
Miscellaneous (personal/health care, clothing, household cleaning, communications) $441
Local public transportation      $128
Total allowance      $1950

Costs for each child/wholly dependent relative
Shelter        $201
Food (Agriculture Canada's Nutritious Food Basket) $164
Miscellaneous(personal/health care, clothing, household cleaning, communications) $96
Local public transportation      $64
Total allowance      $526

(Top of page)
"I have researched the facts about the community I am moving to."
The next step is to find out which immigrant serving agencies provide the services you need in your new community.  These agencies provide English Language training, settlement support and sometimes employment counseling and job search support.

    For a listing of immigrant serving organizations in BC, click on:
     
    http://www.amssa.org/ 
    click on "Are You Immigrating to BC"
    move to the end of the page
    click on area of province you will be living (Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, North/Interior)

    For a listing of all the cultural groups in BC, click on:

    www.vcn.bc.ca/multicultural/the_index.html
    scroll down to find your cultural group

(Top of page)

"I know the names of the immigrant services agencies in my new community." 

In large cities like Victoria and Vancouver, where there are large populations of immigrants, there may be more services, than in smaller rural communities where fewer immigrants have settled. Look at the agency websites and find out if the services you need are available in your community.

(Top of page)

"I know where to get English language training and settlement assistance."

Next, contact the local immigrant agency and find out how you access services. Are there employment support services, career development workshops and what are the costs. It is best to make an appointment with a settlement worker, who can answer many of your questions, as well as direct you to the other resources you need.  Ask lots of questions, so you know what to expect in your new community.

(Top of page)
*** TIP***
You are required to have a certain amount of money in order to immigrate to Canada, however, even if you have that amount, it may not be enough to maintain you and your family if you cannot find work in your occupation right away.   If you need to take an entry-level job while you go through the credentialing process, it is important to know what you will earn and how much it will cost to support your family. The cost to live in BC is very different between communities - rural to urban and north to south.  Talk to the settlement work in your area to find out what the cost of living is and how other immigrants have managed.

"I have contacted the settlement worker and I know how to prepare to move to my new community." 

      
Go to Employment Readiness Matrix,  to record your work.

(Top of page)

Home | Success Predictors | Employment Readiness | English Language
Where are the Jobs? | Credentials | Looking for Work
Community Resources | Canadian Culture | Guide for Service Providers
Contact Us | Back to CCS

All material on this site ©Bridge to Your Future 2004. All rights reserved.