Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday in Canada. Families and friends celebrate and enjoy a sizzling, delicious turkey in the beautiful fall weather! If you want to throw your own version of Canadian Thanksgiving as a newcomer, here are some interesting facts and details you should know to help you prepare for the holiday.

When is Thanksgiving Celebrated in Canada?

Unlike Americans, who celebrate Thanksgiving in November, Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October. It is a public holiday and falls on the second Monday of October. While Monday is a holiday, many families have Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. The celebrations continue with friends and family over the entire long weekend!   

Why is Canadian Thanksgiving Celebrated?

Canadian Thanksgiving is traditionally about celebrating the harvest. In the official declaration of Thanksgiving, the Canadian government announced that it would be “a day of general thanksgiving to the almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.” Today, the celebration is an opportunity to express gratitude for all the good things in life.

What Do Canadians Eat on Thanksgiving?

The main feature of the Thanksgiving feast is the turkey, which is stuffed and roasted slowly, and a delicious pumpkin pie. As it is a celebration of the harvest, various seasonal vegetables are also prepared, like potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn and squashes. Depending on where you are in Canada, you may enjoy many other local delicacies. You can also infuse your culture and traditions and prepare different types of cuisines for Canadian Thanksgiving as a newcomer.

Canadian Thanksgiving Activities and Traditions

The main highlight of the holiday is the feast with friends and family. However, there will be many activities around the city for you to enjoy during Thanksgiving long weekend. As the weather is usually still pleasant and not too cold, people like to spend their time outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful fall colours. Thanksgiving is also an excellent opportunity to give back to the community by donating to food drives.

One of the main traditions of Thanksgiving is to gather around the dinner table and take turns saying what you are most thankful for over the past year. We can be grateful for all the good things in our lives, like our health, family and friends, and also for living in a country like Canada, which welcomes newcomers from all over the world. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and spending valuable time with your loved ones. It is a time of transition when the harvest season is over, a new school year has started, and Canada’s winters are approaching.

As a newcomer, there may be many Canadian holidays you may not be familiar with. Learning about these holidays, like Thanksgiving, can help you settle into Canadian culture. At Achēv, our Newcomer Services offer a wide range of services to help newcomers settle smoothly in Canada. Our Newcomer Information Centres are located across the Greater Toronto Area, including Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville. Contact us today to register for our free newcomer services.

More than 1.4 million people in Canada identify themselves as an Indigenous person. As a newcomer to Canada, it is important to learn about Canada’s three distinct groups of Indigenous peoples — First Nations, Inuit and Métis — all with unique histories, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. Here are 5 ways to educate yourself on the vibrant and diverse cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Seek Out Free Courses to Learn About Indigenous Cultures

Many universities offer free courses on Indigenous history and cultures facilitated by an all-Indigenous teaching team. They explore the past and perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada while providing further insight and analysis into national Indigenous-settler relations.

Participate in Indigenous Awareness Campaigns

Campaigns like National Indigenous History Month in June and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 are important reminders to recognize Indigenous people’s history, heritage, resiliency, and diversity and commit to action. Many organizations play an active role in raising awareness of and acknowledging Indigenous history to advance the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in workplaces.

Understand Land Acknowledgment

Indigenous peoples have traditionally delivered land acknowledgements before gatherings, ceremonies or events. Land acknowledgements recognize the Indigenous communities that initially inhabited the land or space where an event occurs. Learning about land acknowledgement is another way to educate yourself about Indigenous cultures, as it can help you learn more about the history of the Indigenous communities that once lived in the space you live, work or visit.

Visit Your Local Library

Libraries offer many learning resources about the history of Canada’s Indigenous peoples and their thriving cultures. They provide literary education through collections of Indigenous readings, including books that explore important elements of Canadian history, such as the traumas of residential school systems. Exciting works by Indigenous authors are available for both young and adult readers. Educating newcomer kids about Indigenous history and culture is another way to learn.

Browse Online Websites

There are plenty of resources online that can help you learn more about the Indigenous cultures in Canada. The National Film Board of Canada’s collection of Indigenous-made films is available to stream for free on their Indigenous Cinemas page. The platform offers old, new and classic movies in a variety of styles, including fiction, documentary, and animation.

The Royal Ontario Museum’s Indigenous Voices webinar series is available to celebrate and learn about Indigenous cultures. The program is designed for elementary and high school students and educators. It highlights distinct ancestral objects and offers activities to engage viewers. The program is free and ranges in topics from cultural dance to storytelling, and can be watched anytime online.

Campaigns like Every Child Matters and Orange Shirt Day can help educate you on Indigenous lives. Their website offers resources, event information, and different ways to support the campaign. 

As newcomers to Canada, we encourage you to understand the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Navigating the first month in a new country can be overwhelming. As you prepare for your new life in Canada, there are so many things that you must do soon after arriving. Access to the right information and resources can help you embark on your settling-in journey.

Get Your IDs

One of the first things you will be required to do during your first month in Canada is to apply for your identity documents, such as your Social Insurance Number (SIN), driver’s license and health card. You would need your identity documents before you can start looking for work. These documents are essential to applying for government programs and benefits available for newcomers to Canada. Visit Service Canada for detailed information about the required documents to complete your application.

Open a Canadian Bank Account

To manage your payments and bills, you must open a bank account when you arrive in Canada. Rent payments, groceries and transportation are only a few of the expenses you start to incur as you settle in. You may want to understand the chequing account, savings account, account charges, and credit history that your banking advisor can explain to you.

Purchase a Phone and Phone Plan

Many phone options are available in Canada, ranging from prepaid to postpaid plans. Some popular phone providers like Rogers, Bell and Telus have good network plans. It is worth asking for student and discounted plans for newcomers, which may or may not be available in the market upon your arrival. However, it is a good strategy to shop around and purchase a plan that best meets your needs and is not too heavy on your finances.

Find Affordable Housing

Without mention, you need a place to stay! Your apartment search begins as soon as you enter the country. Your first accommodation may be an Airbnb or another short-term rental. However, it would be best to look for a long-term residence for yourself. A lack of credit history and employment proof can make it challenging to rent places. However, some landlords are flexible and rent out their space if you can provide references from friends or family.

Explore the Job Market

Before you start applying for jobs, make sure to update your resume, practice your interview skills, and review your LinkedIn profile. Based on your job profile, you may also want to find out if you need any certification or license to continue working in your field of interest. Newcomers may also seek survival jobs to gain Canadian experience and complete bridging programs or additional courses before finding their dream job in this competitive job market.

Get Ready for the Winters

If you’re immigrating from a country without four seasons, be prepared to experience the Canadian winters. Winters in Canada can get very cold. Getting adequately equipped for winter is essential: get your winter jackets, snow boots, warm winter hats, gloves and other essentials in advance for yourself and your family so you can enjoy the chilly, snowy weather.

Find a Settlement Service

Settlement services like Achēv can help in so many ways. From language assessments and language learning to newcomer services and finding employment, there are so many programs you can find to achieve your full potential. Visit our website to see which program meets your needs. You can also visit our Newcomer Information Centre as soon as you arrive in Canada!

Get ready to explore Canada and the Canadian culture. As you settle in your new home, make friends, spend some time exploring the country and travelling and connect with people in your community to ease the stress of settling in a new country.

With the start of the school year, it is important to help your child get excited and ready for their studies. For newcomer children, many things can be done to help prepare for school in Canada. Here are eight back-to-school tips for your newcomer child to help them better succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.

Communicate with Your Child in English Regularly 

Students in Canadian schools speak many languages in their home environment. However, English will be the primary language of instruction for your child. If your child is not a native English speaker, helping them improve their English skills can help them be more comfortable in the school environment. Consider speaking in English a little bit each day to help them develop their ability. If you are also an English-language learner, this can help both of you improve your skills.

Help Your Child Make Friends

Friends are important when it comes to helping your child succeed in school. It is also an area where you can help your newcomer child prepare for school. Consider attending community events to help your child meet others in the neighbourhood, which can help your child begin to make friends. You can also help your child join activities or arrange a playdate with another parent of younger children. Knowing even a few classmates before the school year is a great way to make your child feel more comfortable.

Encourage Staying in Touch with Friends From Their Home Country

While meeting new friends in Canada is certainly important, encouraging your child to stay in touch with friends from their home country is an effective way to help provide some additional stability in their life and to make them feel more comfortable. Making time with their friends’ parents for phone or video calls or encouraging your child to write letters can be a good way to help them stay connected with their existing friend network while they begin to make new connections in Canada.

Read Books About Moving & Making New Friends

If you have a younger child, reading together is great practice. However, reading books about moving and making new friends is a particularly effective way to help your newcomer child prepare for school in Canada. It can help your child to prepare for the social aspects of starting a new school and can help provide them with some added confidence. It can also serve to help your child express questions or concerns that they have.

Help Your Child Stay Organized

Helping your child with their organization is a great way to make them – and you – feel well prepared for going back to school in Canada. A great way to do this is to set a nightly routine to prepare for school the next morning. Set out your child’s outfit for the next day and ensure that their backpack is organized with the books and supplies they will need for class the next day. Ensure homework is completed as well.

Meet With Important School Staff

There are many staff members at your child’s new school that are dedicated to helping them succeed. Many schools even have a dedicated settlement worker on site who can help you and your child navigate preparing for school. If your school does not have a settlement worker, you can meet with the school guidance counselor. In addition to helping answer your questions, this will give you and your child a familiar face to contact with needs once the school year begins.

Be Sure You Know the Class Schedule

Understanding your schedule is important for any student, particularly older students with many different teachers and class locations. Be sure to help your child understand where their classes are located and who their teachers are. This is an important part of the logistical phase of starting a new school year and can help ensure your child knows how to navigate the school and get to class on time.

Familiarize Yourself with School Resources

There are many things to know about the modern school environment. However, school resources are among the most important. Understand what exists in terms of tutoring and other support. Also, learn how the school communicates with parents and students. Many schools have comprehensive online software where students and parents can see schedules, contact teachers, view grades, and other things.

Final Thoughts

One of the greatest things you can do as a parent is to help your child prepare for success in their Canadian school. These eight tips are great ways to begin that process.

At Achēv, our Newcomer Services offer a wide range of services to help newcomers settle smoothly in Canada. Our Newcomer Information Centres are located across the Greater Toronto Area, including Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville. Contact us today to register for our free newcomer services.

Engaging in volunteer work benefits both the individual and the community and has the potential to bring a positive change in our lives. Volunteering as a newcomer can provide you with a rich and meaningful experience. It serves as a gateway to cultural exchange, personal growth, and skill development.

Canada offers a welcoming environment for newcomers. Volunteering in Canada as a newcomer opens up a world of opportunities and rewards. Here are some of the benefits of engaging in volunteer work as a newcomer.

Build Your Network

Volunteering can give you great opportunities to connect with new people. You can boost your social skills by interacting with fellow volunteers and meeting professionals from different fields of work. These people can help you settle in your community by providing valuable insights and sharing their experiences, which can benefit you as a newcomer in Canada.

Improve Language Skills

As a volunteer, you can improve your English or French language skills. Regular interactions with native speakers can enhance your fluency and confidence in language speaking.

Gain Canadian Work Experience

Volunteering benefits newcomers by enhancing their employability. Those searching for jobs can add volunteer experience to their resume, which counts as Canadian work experience. Volunteering can also help you bridge gaps in your work history while you look for a job. You can ask the company you volunteered with to provide reference letters, which can be useful in your job applications.

Discover Your Career Path

Volunteering not only adds meaningful work experience to your resume but also provides you with valuable career information regarding your preferences and work habits. It can help you determine whether a career path interests you so you can make the right career choice. Volunteering can provide practical work experience in your field of interest.

Learn New Skills

With volunteer work comes the advantage of developing and enhancing a wide range of skills, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills. These working skills can be used in your professional job in the coming times to improve your work efficiency. If you are a student, you learn to balance your school, work and home life at the same time. Even though it sounds challenging, it can be a great opportunity to develop your time management skills.

Contribute to Personal Growth

With volunteer work, you gain self-confidence that contributes to your personal growth. It provides opportunities to step out of your comfort zone, take on new challenges and gather positive life experiences. Volunteering is also a great way to discover new interests and hobbies and visit different parts of the city. It can help you reduce stress and provides a sense of purpose. 

Community Involvement

As a newcomer in a foreign land, away from your friends and family, it’s very easy to feel isolated. Volunteering can help keep yourself occupied by being involved with the community. Volunteering allows you to give back to the Canadian community that has welcomed you as a newcomer. By offering your time and skills to local organizations, you can make a positive impact on individuals and communities in need. This sense of contribution can be fulfilling and rewarding.

Gain Recognition

Volunteering is highly valued in Canada, and your efforts will likely be recognized and appreciated by both the organization you volunteer with and the broader community. This recognition can further strengthen your sense of belonging and make you feel more integrated into Canadian society.

Some people may prefer home-based volunteering due to a lack of transportation, time constraints, a disability or other reasons. Some organizations may offer remote volunteering opportunities via phone or computer. They may also require you to attend initial training or periodic meetings.

Volunteering is an integral part of the Canadian work culture. It allows you to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, enabling you to immerse yourself in Canadian culture.

As a newcomer to Canada, you can search for volunteer opportunities depending on your interest and career goals. You can volunteer at your local community centre, schools, libraries, hospitals and animal shelters. Volunteer opportunities can be searched online or by visiting some of these places in person. You may also ask your friends or family to refer you to an organization for volunteer work.

At Achēv, our newcomer services offer a wide range of services to help newcomers settle smoothly in Canada. Contact us today to register for our free newcomer services.