There are many ways to boost your savings in Canada. And to encourage you to save, the government offers various incentives with a number of advantages. Let’s take a closer look. Read More
Achēv is proud to present this insightful blog post in collaboration with National Bank. Together, we are dedicated to empowering newcomers in Canada, ensuring they have the support needed to reach their full potential.
Are you looking for a new apartment online and wondering if the one you’ve found is too good to be true? Has the property owner asked you to pay a deposit to secure a viewing? Treat this as a warning sign – it’s probably a fake ad. Before you sign the lease or pay your first month’s rent, protect yourself by learning how to recognize rental scams. Read More
Achēv is proud to present this insightful blog post in collaboration with National Bank. Together, we are dedicated to empowering newcomers in Canada, ensuring they have the support needed to reach their full potential.
The more preparation you can do before moving to Canada, the easier it will be for you to settle in after your arrival. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll have a few things left to do to get off to a successful start. We’ve put together 11 tips to help you get settled in Canada. Read More
Achēv is proud to present this insightful blog post in collaboration with National Bank. Together, we are dedicated to empowering newcomers in Canada, ensuring they have the support needed to reach their full potential.
Finding gainful employment as a new immigrant to Canada can often seem like an insurmountable task, especially without a wide, professional network to help you find jobs in your field.
That’s why building your own professional network is so critical, explained Debroy Chan, director of Immigrant Employment Strategies at the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC). Read More
Achēv is proud to present this insightful blog post in collaboration with National Bank. Together, we are dedicated to empowering newcomers in Canada, ensuring they have the support needed to reach their full potential.
Moving to a new country can be both exciting and challenging, especially for seniors. As a senior newcomer to Canada, you might have questions about what to expect, how to access resources, and what benefits are available to you. This guide offers practical tips to help you navigate your new life in Canada with ease and confidence.
One of the first things to do when you arrive in Canada is to familiarize yourself with your new community. Explore your neighborhood, find nearby parks, libraries, and community centers, and learn about local events. Organizations like Achēv hosts a wide variety of free events, workshops and support for seniors. Community centers often offer programs and activities specifically for seniors, such as fitness classes, social gatherings, and hobby groups. Participating in these activities can help you stay active, meet new people, and feel more connected to your community.
Tip: Many communities in Canada are multicultural, so you may find groups and events that celebrate your culture and language, making it easier to feel at home.
Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system that provides essential medical services to all residents. As a senior newcomer, it’s important to apply for a provincial or territorial health card as soon as possible. This card allows you to access healthcare services, including doctor visits, hospital care, and certain prescription medications. Keep in mind that there may be a waiting period before you’re eligible for coverage, so consider getting private health insurance in the meantime.
Tip: Seniors are eligible for additional health benefits, such as free or discounted prescription medications, vision care, and dental services, depending on the province or territory you live in.
Canada offers a variety of benefits and programs for seniors, including financial assistance, housing support, and recreational activities. Some key benefits to explore include:
Make sure to apply for these benefits as soon as you’re eligible, as they can help provide financial stability in your retirement years.
Tip: Service Canada provides resources and guidance on applying for senior benefits. You can visit a Service Canada office or access information online.
Maintaining strong social connections is important for your mental and emotional well-being. If you have family or friends in Canada, stay in touch with them regularly. If you’re new to the country and don’t know many people, consider joining social groups or clubs where you can meet others with similar interests. Many communities offer programs specifically for seniors, such as coffee mornings, book clubs, or walking groups, which can be a great way to build new friendships.
Tip: Technology can also help you stay connected with loved ones back home. Learning to use video calling apps like Skype, Zoom, or WhatsApp can bridge the distance and keep you in touch with family and friends.
If English or French is not your first language, learning or improving your language skills can make daily life in Canada easier. Many communities offer language classes and conversation groups for seniors, often at no cost. These classes can help you build confidence in speaking, reading, and writing, making it easier to navigate public services, healthcare, and social situations.
Tip: Some organizations offer language programs tailored to seniors, focusing on practical language skills for everyday situations, such as shopping, using public transportation, and visiting the doctor.
As a resident of Canada, it’s important to be aware of your rights and responsibilities. Seniors have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and there are laws in place to protect against age discrimination. Additionally, you have access to resources that can help you with legal matters, such as wills, power of attorney, and elder abuse prevention.
Tip: If you need legal advice, many community organizations offer free or low-cost legal services for seniors. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Staying physically and mentally active is key to enjoying a healthy and fulfilling life in Canada. Take advantage of the many recreational opportunities available, such as walking trails, fitness classes, and swimming pools. Engaging in regular physical activity can help you maintain your mobility, strength, and overall health. Additionally, staying mentally active through hobbies, learning new skills, or participating in social activities can keep your mind sharp and improve your quality of life.
Tip: Many community centers and senior organizations offer discounted or free memberships to fitness and wellness programs for seniors.
As a senior newcomer to Canada, there are many resources and programs available to help you settle into your new life. By getting to know your community, accessing healthcare services, applying for senior benefits, and staying socially and physically active, you can build a fulfilling life in Canada.
If you’re planning to move to Canada, you may be wondering what is the cost of living in Canada and how much you’ll need to budget. Here’s everything you should consider before taking the plunge. Read More
Achēv is proud to present this insightful blog post in collaboration with National Bank. Together, we are dedicated to empowering newcomers in Canada, ensuring they have the support needed to reach their full potential.
If you’re a Canadian newcomer who doesn’t speak English as your native language, improving your English skills is a great way to better adjust to life in Canada. Here are some suggestions for how a newcomer to Canada can improve their English language skills.
Watching English television programs is a great and fun way to begin picking up on different words and improving your overall vocabulary. As you watch TV, you’ll slowly find yourself understanding more of the discussions and improving your own English. Watching TV can also introduce you to unique phrases and jargon that you may not have learned yet.
There is a wide variety of apps aimed at helping you learn and improve your English language skills. Apps such as Duolingo are excellent ways to take a curricular approach to learning languages. Additionally, many apps make practicing your English language skills into a game, which can make learning fun. This is a great way to dedicate just a few minutes a day to practice your English using methods proven to be successful.
The best way to become proficient in English is to have conversations with others. While this may be a bit intimidating at first, you’ll find that you’re rapidly improving your abilities in the English language. Consider finding a conversation partner and setting aside an hour to chat a few times a week. This can help you learn new phrases, practice your comprehension and rapidly improve your ability to interact using English.
There are many things you can read that will help you improve your English language skills. One of the best things to start with is a newspaper. Newspapers typically use simple sentences that make it easy for people of varying English skill levels to read them. Thus, newspapers are great things to practice with. Be sure to read aloud to yourself, as this will allow you to practice your reading comprehension and verbal communication skills. This is a great way to improve your confidence in using English.
One great way to improve your English language skills is to continually strengthen your vocabulary. Consider keeping a notebook where you write down new words and phrases that you learn. Make it a goal to learn a few new English words or phrases each day. Once a week, flip through your notebook and review some of the words or phrases you’ve learned. Use them in sentences. A great way to do this is to write down new words that you naturally encounter as you go about your day.
You don’t necessarily have to take an English course to improve your English language skills, although it’s certainly an idea to consider. However, taking any course that interests you, such as a cooking class or exercise class, will expose you to the English language and require you to interact with others. This is a fun way to practice your English. You can find courses at various places. Many community centers may even have free courses that you can try out. Take a look at the different resources in your area and find a class you are interested in taking.
Understandably, newcomers to Canada may become frustrated when adjusting to communicating in English. However, trying to keep a positive attitude about learning will go a long way towards helping you to improve your English language skills. Try not to feel embarrassed or bad about making mistakes but rather find humor in the situation. After all, learning a language is a lengthy process, and no one is expected to be perfect. If you have a positive attitude about the process, you will likely find that you can get more enjoyment out of honing your skills.
For those who don’t speak English as their native language, improving their English language skills can help them adjust to life in Canada more quickly. Improving your English skills doesn’t have to feel frustrating or difficult. You can utilize fun strategies like these seven tips and incorporate them into your schedule when you have time. The more you practice, the more you’ll feel comfortable with the language.
At Achēv, our Employment Ontario Services offers a wide range of resources to support your career and employment needs. Our employment centres are located across the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga and North York. Contact us today to register for our free employment services.
Moving to a new country is a big decision that requires determination and the ability to adapt. Unfortunately, ill-intentioned people may try to take advantage of your situation and scam you. Here are a few tips to help you spot their schemes and better protect yourself. Read More
Achēv is proud to present this insightful blog post in collaboration with National Bank. Together, we are dedicated to empowering newcomers in Canada, ensuring they have the support needed to reach their full potential.
Are you thinking about immigrating to Canada? Have you recently moved to Québec or Ontario? Learn more about the Canadian health care system so you know what to expect in your home or soon-to-be home province. Read More
Achēv is proud to present this insightful blog post in collaboration with National Bank. Together, we are dedicated to empowering newcomers in Canada, ensuring they have the support needed to reach their full potential.
At Achēv, we are proud of our ongoing partnership with Care4Nurses, an organization dedicated to helping internationally educated nurses (IENs) bridge the gap to meaningful employment in Canada. Together, we’re opening doors to opportunity through targeted workshops, mentorship, and job readiness support.
We’re thrilled to share the inspiring success story of Amybelle Gabino, who, thanks to the support from Achēv and Care4Nurses, secured a Registered Nurse position at Mount Sinai Hospital. Amybelle sought assistance from Achēv and Care4Nurses to enhance her nursing knowledge and skills after a 7-year break from her last nursing experience in the Philippines. Here’s what she had to say:
One workshop that really helped me land a job is the 3-day employment workshop that includes resume building and enhancing interview skills coupled with a mock interview. That opened my eyes to the job market here in Canada. Fortunately, a day after my interview, Mount Sinai Hospital asked for my reference list and a week after, I was given a job offer.”
Amybelle highlights the impact of personalized support and guidance she received – from boosting her confidence before interviews to receiving direct assistance from case managers like Natolina from Care4Nurses, who went above and beyond.
This is what partnership looks like: faster integration, confident job-seekers, and real employment outcomes. Thank you to our dedicated teams and incredible clients for making this possible. We remain committed to empowering more IENs to thrive and build successful careers in Canada.
