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1 Useful Information for Private Sponsors of Refugees Ottawa and Region 2015 ORGANIZATIONS AND WEB SITES SERVING NEWCOMERS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION Settlement.org This is a web site run by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. It is designed primarily for Newcomers and offers information in more than 30 different languages. The site covers everything from immigration to daily living challenges in Ontario. Community Information Centre of Ottawa (Blue Book) St Laurent Blvd PO Box Ottawa Ont. K1G 1AY They publish the Directory of Ottawa Community Services (cost around $30). This directory, referred to as the Blue Book, is a useful resource for anyone interested in the services offered in the Ottawa area. Visit their web site and do on-line searches of the e-blue book, or call them to buy a copy of the book. They are not open to the public, but appointments can be made by phone.

2 ACCESS TO PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR NEWCOMERS Settlement organizations provide a large variety of programs and services for newcomers. These programs and services are available to all immigrants, whether they came through private or government sponsorship. Many of the organizations offer language-specific programs tailored to particular ethnic communities, individual settlement counselling in the newcomer s first language, employment and career advice and more. Browse their web sites or visit their offices to learn about the services they can provide. Ottawa Immigrant Settlement Agencies Catholic Center for Immigrants The Bruyère Center for Immigrants 219 Argyle Ave Ottawa, Ont. K2P 2H4 Phone: Fax: cic@cic.ca Jewish Family Services of Ottawa Carling Ave Suite 300 Ottawa Ont. K2B 7Z5 Phone: Fax: info@jfsottawa.com Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) Argyle Ave Suite 400 Ottawa, Ont. K2P 2H4 Phone: Fax: infomail@immigrantwomenservices.com

3 Lebanese and Arab Social Services Association (LASSA) Holly Lane Ottawa, Ont. K1V 7P1 Phone: , Fax: Ottawa Chinese Community Services Centre Kent Street Suite 4004 Ottawa Ont. K2P 2A8 Phone: Fax : Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) Wellington Street West Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 2X5 Phone: Fax: Download or pick up the Welcome to Ottawa, A Guide for Newcomers and Immigrants booklet (free) World Skills Professional Education and Accreditation Argyle Ave Ottawa Ont. K2P 1H4 Phone: ws@ottawa-worldskills.org

4 YM/YWCA Newcomer Services Argyle Ave 4th Floor Ottawa Ont. Phone: Fax: Y Newcomer Information Center Catherine Street, Suite 308 Ottawa, Ont. K2P 2G8 Phone: Fax: nic@nationalcapitalregionywca-ywca.ca Community Health Centres Community resource and health centres are neighbourhood hubs for programs and services related to health and well-being, including medical care, nutrition, life skills, mental health services and much more. They have a mandate to improve access to health care for vulnerable populations and welcome clients regardless of their age, race, ethnic background, economic standing or immigration status. Community Health Centres can provide assistance in finding translators and medical practitioners who have experience with specific cultures. They also have information about community initiatives such as the Laundry Co-op at Heartwood House, 153 Chapel St.

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6 Midwifery - Walk-in clinic The Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre has launched a new pilot program to provide care for medically uninsured expectant mothers. This includes a birthing facility, access to obstetric or other medical consult, lab and ultrasound. Most refugees will have OHIP or federal health benefits upon arrival in Ontario, but for those who don't, this will be an important resource. The walk-in prenatal and postpartum clinic will provide referrals for ongoing care with a midwife or physician. The clinic will operate at the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre from 1 to 5 pm on Wednesday afternoons until the end of the pilot, March 30, Address: 2260 Walkley Rd., near St. Laurent Blvd. Phone: Documentation Requirements To apply for just about anything, a newcomer must be prepared to show the appropriate documents. Usually these documents prove immigration status, prove residence in Ontario and prove identity. Without these documents, the applications will not be processed. 1. Proof of Citizenship These are documents that prove that the applicant is a permanent resident. Examples are: - IMM 1000 form - Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292) - Permanent Residence Card

7 2. Proof of Residence in Ontario These are official documents showing the applicant s name and current home address. Examples are: - A lease or other rental document clearly showing the applicants name and current - A current utility or telephone bill; - A monthly bank statement, mailed to the recipient; - Any document issued by the government that states the current address; For most purposes an address in care of someone else is not sufficient. Depending on the housing arrangement for the sponsored refugee, this may mean you will have to wait for that first monthly bill before you can take him or her to apply for OHIP. It may even mean that you will have to help the newcomer open a bank account and wait for the first monthly statement before the newcomer to apply for OHIP. 3. Proof of Identity These documents contain the applicant's name and signature. Examples are: - Passport - IMM IMM Permanent Residence Card

8 Permanent Residence Card As part of the landing process, the newcomer receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292) document. He or she is also given an application for a permanent residence card form. On arrival, that application form should be completed and faxed or mailed to the appropriate address as soon as possible. It may take up to one month for the card to be issued. In the interim, the IMM5292 can be used to apply for services. Please note: There may be slightly different documentation for governmentassisted refugees arriving as part of the Government of Canada's airlift of Syrian refugees in 2015/2016. Consult the government website for more information: HEALTH CARE Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) Ontario Service Centres City Hall- Laurier Ave A resident of Ontario must have a health card to show that he/she is eligible for health care services paid for by OHIP. To get this card each newcomer over 15.5 years of age must complete an application form and register in person at an OHIP office. Parents may apply on behalf of children under that age. OHIP application forms are available at many community centers. You can complete and print the form or download a blank form by going to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website, forms section. Choose the Registration for Ontario Health Card from the list of available forms.

9 When registering for OHIP you must bring 3 different pieces of identification. 1. a proof of Citizenship document (ie IMM 1000 or IMM 5292) 2. a Proof of Residence in Ontario document (utility bill, child welfare payment cheque, lease or letter from Catholic Centre for Immigrants, and 3. a Support of Identity document (driver's licence, bus pass, passport, permanent residence card, IMM1000 or IMM5292 if not used as 1 above). Note: There is no waiting period for United Nations convention refugees who apply for OHIP coverage. Trillium Drug Program This program is intended for people who spend a significant portion of their income on prescription drugs. The person must be a resident of Ontario, have OHIP coverage and have no other insurance plan to cover prescriptions. For further information visit the Ontario Government Ministry of Health website _trillium.aspx LANGUAGE ASSESMENT Any newcomer whose first language is not English or French and who wishes to take any kind oftraining course must first have his/her language capability assessed at the Language Assessment Centre. The Language Assessment Centre administers a test to assess reading, writing, oral and listening comprehension in English or French and scores the results. The length of the test varies depending on the newcomer s proficiency. A typical time is 2 hours. These results are used to place people into language classes, or in the case where the newcomer is proficient, as proof that no further language training is needed.

10 Y Language Assessment and Resource Centre Catherine Street, Suite 308 Ottawa, Ont LINC (5462) 9:00 am 5:00 pm Monday - Friday To set up an appointment for testing call LINC (5462). You must bring proof of Citizenship (IMM1000), proof of address and proof of age documents to the appointment. English/French as a Second Language Classes (ESL/FSL) The federal government in conjunction with the Ottawa School Boards and various community groups offers the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programs, at no cost to participants. LINC classes are parttime. To qualify for LINC programs you must be an adult newcomer (over 18 years of age) and a permanent resident of Canada - these services are not available to citizens. Before you can be placed into any free language training programs, your level of knowledge must be assessed. Once you have your assessment from the Language Assessment and Resource Centre they will refer you to one of the many LINC training providers (both school boards, many community centres, Algonquin College and others). For a complete list go to Most Settlement Agencies and Community Centres offer opportunities for newcomers to get together and practice their language skills. Various organizations such as Algonquin College offer full and part-time ESL/FSL courses for a fee.

11 SCHOOLING School Registration For Children Children between the ages of 5 and 16 years of age must go to school. They may begin attending at 4 years. Children who attend licensed child care centres and schools in the city of Ottawa must be vaccinated or provide a valid exemption. Proof of immunization is most often collected and provided to Ottawa Public Health by schools, reception centres and/or daycare providers. Information regarding incomplete immunization is communicated to the parents/guardians by OPH. See: Certificate of Immunization and Tuberculosis Assessment for School Entry Ottawa Public Health ion/requirements_en.html Phone: ext For the English Public and English Catholic School Boards, before being placed into the appropriate grade and program, each child s Math and English is assessed by the school board s assessment centre. These assessments are by appointment only. For the public board, call the Family Reception Centre, Ottawa Carleton District School Board ( ) to book an appointment. For the Catholic board, contact the Family Welcome Centre, Ottawa Catholic School Board ( ) to book an appointment.

12 One parent/guardian must be present with the children during the appointment. Bring - the child s birth certificate or passport, and/or immigration documents - the child s available school records - the child s immunization records from their country or from Ottawa Public Health, if applicable - the child s proof of address These Centres will assess the child s English and math proficiency and provide a report within 5 working days. They will also work with the newcomers and schools to place the child in the most appropriate classes. The assessment takes approximately 2 hours for an elementary aged student and 3 hours for a high school student. For the French Public Board and the French Catholic Board, contact each board directly for their registration procedures: Conseil des écoles publiques de l'est de l Ontario ( ) Conseil des écoles catholique du Centre-Est ( ) Adult Basic Education Adult high schools offer adults 18 years of age or older an opportunity to complete their high school education. In general the adult high schools have flexible programs to accommodate work schedules. Students must attend on a full time basis (3 courses per semester). There is day care available. Registration is the end of August or the beginning of February. Applicant needs to bring Proof of Citizenship and Proof of Address documents. For newcomers their LINC Report Card is also required. There is a school fee of $20 plus a book deposit of $40.

13 Adult High School (Public) 30 Rochester St, Ottawa, Ont. Phone: St Nicholas Adult High School (Catholic) Admiral Ave, Ottawa, Ont. Phone : Le Carrefour Phone : St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, Ont. Newcomers will have their language and math skills assessed before being placed into classes. Evaluating Education and Work Skills For evaluation of credentials contact World Skills or The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials at OCISO, Y-Job Connect, LASI Word Skills and Algonquin College partner in the STEP (Settlement to Employment program) for Internationally Trained Individuals at Settlement agencies and community centres can advise newcomers on their education and training options.

14 Employment Settlement agencies have programs to assist newcomers in resume preparation, they will provide training and counselling services and career mentorship programs. Employment Centres have information about available jobs, access to the internet for job searches, computers, photocopiers and fax machines at no cost. Employment Centres West 100 Constellation Crescent 2nd Floor East 2339 Ogilvie Rd 1st Floor Central 370 Catherine St Suite 100 South 2020 Walkley Rd 1st Floor East Social Insurance Number To work in Canada or receive benefits and services from government program, you need a Social Insurance Number. Any person over the age of 12 yrs can apply for his/her own SIN. Parents can apply for a SIN for children under the age of majority.

15 Apply in person at any Services Canada Centre (110 Laurier Ave W, L Esplanade Laurier 2nd floor; Lincoln Fields Galleria 1st Floor; Beacon Hill Shopping Centre). You will need to provide the original of a document that proves your identity and status in Canada (ie. Permanent Residence Card). If the name on your document is different from the one you currently use, you must provide a supporting document (ie marriage certificate or legal name change document). An in care of address is acceptable. If you are applying on behalf of your under-age child, you must also bring the originals of their documents (birth certificate, immigration documents). Arrival of a Newborn You can register a child s birth, request a birth certificate and a SIN in one process on a Government of Ontario web site. For a full explanation and to complete the forms, go to Child Tax Benefit This is a tax-free monthly payment to eligible families, to help them with the costs of raising children under 18 years of age. Application forms can be picked up from Canada Customs and Revenue Offices (333 Laurier Ave W or 875 Heron Rd.) or at Catholic Immigration Centre, 219 Argyle Ave. You can also get the form on-line at Along with the completed application, you will need to provide proof of citizenship, proof of residence, proof of birth for each child (for example, birth certificate, landing document or passport) and proof that you are the primary care-giver (a signed statement from a school or doctor will do).

16 In a two-parent family, where both the parents are living together, the family will be registered under the mother s SIN, unless the mother provides a signed note stating that the father is the primary caregiver for the child. The cheque will be in the name of the primary caregiver. It will arrive around the 20th of each month. You may choose direct deposit. Both parents must file income tax each year, even if only one person (or noone) is working. When a new baby is born, send in another form with the additional information on it. Change of address can be done online at Revenue Canada will ask for a statement of income from January to the date of the person s arrival in Canada. For example, if they arrived in May, indicate that there was no income from January to May due to dislocation from war etc or indicate income in the other country if they were working. Processing of the CBT will be delayed if you do not include a signed note with this information on it, along with the CBT application form. TELEPHONE FOR HELP REGARDING THE CHILD TAX BENEFIT: FAX: Income Tax GST/HST credit form will also need to be filled out to start receiving payments. Every person over the age of 18 years of age can file a claim. Mother and father must both file, regardless of income, as it is tied into the Child Tax Benefit and GST processes. The quarterly GST tax credit can be significant. There are income tax clinics throughout the city in January, February and March. Catholic Center for Immigrants and OCISO offer free clinics. For a complete list of clinics call INFO(4636).

17 Income Tax T4 slips, issued by the employer, should arrive by the end of February each year. HOUSING Settlement agencies and community health centres can assist in the search for housing. Housing Help provides online searches of available private rentals and nonprofit housing options. Housing Help Cooper St, Suite 502 Ottawa, Ont. Phone: