COVID-19 and Available Post-Arrival Resources for Newcomers
(Updated: April 1, 2020)
For newly landed immigrants:
Upon arrival at the airport
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Application
Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
Application
Driver’s License Application
Opening a Bank Account
Follow airport procedures as soon as you
land. Self-quarantine (isolate) for 14 days,
as mandated by the government. To know
how to properly isolate yourself, check the
government website.
All Service Canada centres are closed as of
the moment, but you can apply your SIN
via mail.
There are no updates whether you can
apply online, but there are some Service
Ontario centres that are open. There’s a
toll-free number where you can call for
more information about the procedure.
All DriveTest locations are closed, as
mandated by the government.
Before applying to any bank, you have to
choose the best account that suits your
needs. The Government of Canada Account
Comparison Tool is a free resource that
compare features for different chequing
and savings accounts, including interest
rates, monthly fees and transactions.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-
health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-
infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-
development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html#web-
notice
Details of centres that are open and closed:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/serviceontario-centre-
closures
Contact Details:
https://www.ontario.ca/feedback/contact-
us?id=7476&nid=132117
https://drivetest.ca/
Account Comparison Tool: https://itools-ioutils.fcac-
acfc.gc.ca/ACT-OCC/SearchFilter-eng.aspx
You can view all of the domestic banks in Canada here:
http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/Eng/wt-ow/Pages/wwr-
er.aspx?sc=1&gc=1&ic=1#WWRLink111
 Banks are still operating but not all
branches are open and have shortened
office hours. Some banks offer a service
where you can open a bank account online.
Make sure to research and go to each
bank’s website before you make a
decision.

Open a mobile phone line
Before buying a mobile plan, you have to Planhub: https://www.planhub.ca/#/
choose the best mobile plan to meet your
needs. Planhub is a free search engine that
compares mobile and internet plans in
Canada.

Some store locations of mobile phone

companies are still open but most offer a
service where you can buy a plan online.
Make sure to research and go to each
mobile phone company’s website before
you make a decision.

Newcomer Settlement Services and
Resources
Read the Government of Canada’s
Welcome to Canada Guide (pdf and e-book
version available): this will help you gain
more information on Canadian life, laws
and so much more.
Welcome to Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-
citizenship/corporate/publications-
manuals/publication-welcome-canada-what-you-
should-know.html

Settlement.org is a free website funded by

the government that provides newcomers
with information and resources to settle in
Ontario. It is open to everyone and is used
most frequently by newcomers. It covers
topics such as housing, employment,
education and more.
Settlement.org website: https://settlement.org/
Search for settlement organizations here and visit their
websites for modified service deliver:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/services-newcomers-and-
refugees

Enrollment of children/ youth to
school
Settlement services are delivered by 211 is a helpline and online database of Ontario's
organizations funded by the government to community and social services. 211 is answered and
assist newcomers in their process of updated by highly-trained specialists.
settlement and adjustment to Canada. All https://211ontario.ca/
of these services are for free. All
settlement serving organizations are closed
as of the moment but they offer services
via email, phone or online. Make sure to
research and go to each settlement
organization’s website for more
information.
The Ontario government has announced Toronto District School Board Website:
that, due to the continued spread of https://www.tdsb.on.ca/
COVID-19, all publicly-funded schools in
Ontario, including those at the TDSB, will
remain closed to students until Monday,
May 4, 2020. Please visit their website for
any changes on the announcements.
School boards offer updates about COVID-
19, student learning resources and mental
health resources as well.
Community and Employment Resources for Newcomers and Immigrants:
Title Description
Online Employment COSTI offers all of their free
Workshops (by COSTI employment workshops online
Employment Services) in the form of a webinar. Topics
include: how to write a resume,
job search strategies, how to
ace your interview etc.
PrepCan PrepCan-Online Newcomer
Information Centre offers free
online orientation, information,
and referrals related to
Employment and Settlement for
newcomers in Ontario.
Café New Canadians (by A series of virtual webinar
New Canadians TV) sessions with expert tips,
information and resources for
newcomers while staying
indoors. Topics include:
employment, volunteering
while keeping your distance,
networking and so much more.
Online Peer Support Although MOSAIC is based in
Group for Newcomers British Columbia, newcomers
(delivered by MOSAIC) everywhere can join this online
group where they can share
updates on COVID-10 and
Why is It Beneficial for You Website Link
There is a difference between http://www.costi.org/sys/anno_detai
applying for a job back in your home l.php?id=41491
country and applying for a job here
in Canada. During this time, attend
online workshops to get to know
more about how the job search
process in Canada.
Adjusting to a new country can be https://prepcan.ca/
quite difficult if you do not have
access to the right information and
resources, especially during this
time. Visit their website for more
information about starting your new
life in Canada.
Provides relevant information and https://newcanadians.tv/virtual-
advice for newcomers during this event-series-for-new-canadians/
time.
Helps with social isolation by staying https://settlenet.org/sites/default/fil
connected online. es/2020-
03/IMG_6526%20%281%29_0.pdf
 encourage positive thinking and
share stress management tips.
Virtual Volunteering Guide This online guide is published
(by Volunteer Canada) that offers information about
how to volunteer online while
staying at home. It includes
resources, links to websites
with virtual volunteering
opportunities and so much
more.
Online Well-being Webinars every Wednesday
Workshops for Women that talks about how to deal
(by CultureLink) with stress and promoting well-
being.
University of Toronto Free University of Toronto, one of
Online Courses the world’s leading universities,
has partnered up with Coursera
and EDX to offer free online
courses.
Learn at Home: Free Free online learning modules
online learning resources and resources for Kindergarten
for children (by Scholastic) to Grade 9. There are also
resources for the whole family
as well.
Canadian companies that Article that talks about
are hiring amid COVID-19 industries and specific
companies that are hiring right
now. (Article date: March 19,
2020)
Virtual volunteering is a great way to
gain new skill and experience while
giving back to the community.
Newcomers can include it in their
resumes. This shows employers that
you are proactive during this time.
Takes care of your mental health
during these uncertain times.
Use your time in developing new
skills that can help you with your
career and professional
development. You can get a
certificate of completion with a fee.
If you’re a parent and can’t enroll
your children to school, this is a
great resource for your children to
continue learning while staying at
home.
Applying for these essential jobs can
support you financially while gaining
experience which you can put on
your resume.
https://volunteer.ca/index.php?Men
uItemID=417#Virtual
(Click the link “Virtual Volunteering”)
https://www.meetup.com/NEATwalk
s/events/gmptqrybcfbhc/
Coursera:
https://www.coursera.org/utoronto
EDX:
https://www.edx.org/school/universi
ty-torontox
https://classroommagazines.scholasti
c.com/support/learnathome.html
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coro
navirus/some-canadian-companies-
embarking-on-hiring-sprees-amid-
covid-19-layoffs-1.4860026
Free online courses at If you have a Toronto library
Lynda card, you can access Lynda.com
for free with over 3,500 video
tutorial courses led by experts
on web design, software
development, photography,
business skills, home and small
office, project management, 3D
+ Animation, graphic design
audio, music, video editing and
more.
Flipp A website and mobile
application that lets you browse
flyers from Canadian groceries
and stores that help you save
money.
Resources of the Access free tools to improve
Language Portal of Canada your knowledge of English and
French. Polish your writing skills
with our quizzes, participate in
the Our Languages blog, and
explore a selection of language-
related Canadian links.
Job bank: Labour Market Job Bank is the Government of
Information Canada's leading source for jobs
and labour market information.
It offers users free occupational
and career information such as
job opportunities, educational
Use your time in developing new https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/
skills that can help you with your detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEDB0187&R=EDB
career and professional 0187
development.
With finances being tight as of the https://flipp.com/home
moment, this website provides you
information about deals and
discounts that can help you save
money. Make sure to download it in
your smart phones.
If you’re looking to improve your https://www.noslangues-
English language while staying at ourlanguages.gc.ca/en
home, this is a great resource.
During this time, studying the labour https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-
market trends of your desired analysis
occupation in Canada is a great wat
to plan for your long-term career
goals.
 requirements, main duties,
wage rates and salaries, current
employment trends, and
outlooks. The site can help
people search for work, make
career decisions, see what jobs
will be in demand, and much
more. Employers can also
advertise jobs for free.

Prepared by: Rizza Solis, CRS- Community Resource Specialist and Outreach Coordinator of Next Stop Canada, YMCA of Greater
Toronto’s pre-arrival program. Contact details: rizza.solis@ymcagta.org