E.L.C.C. & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Resources for Newcomer Families
Welcome — we are so glad you are here. Settling into a new country with young children takes courage, and you do not have to do it alone. Settlement organizations across Canada offer free, confidential help with finding child care, learning English or French, and building community.
Open your province or territory below to find welcoming organizations near you.
Good to know: most services listed here are funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and are free for permanent residents, protected persons and many other newcomers. Many organizations also offer child minding while you attend language classes.
Looking for child care subsidies, parent lines and family programs in your province? They live on our companion page: Family Resources Across Canada.
And for everyday parenting questions — behaviour, sleep, milestones and more — see the trusted parenting resources we have gathered for all families.
Start Here - Canada-Wide
These national services help newcomer families in every province and territory.
- IRCC Newcomer Services FinderFind free, government-funded newcomer services near you - settlement help, job search and more.
- Free Language Classes (LINC / CLIC)Government-funded English and French classes for adult newcomers - many sites offer child minding.
- Canada Child BenefitNewcomer families may qualify for this tax-free monthly payment - you can apply soon after arriving.
- 211 CanadaCall or text 2-1-1 for help in over 150 languages, anywhere in Canada.
Settlement Support Where You Live
Organizations that welcome newcomer families, province by province.
BCBritish ColumbiaSettlement, language and child care navigation
BC’s major settlement agencies help families register children for school and child care, join language classes and find community.
- ISSofBC (Immigrant Services Society of BC)Settlement, language and career services - one of Canada’s largest newcomer agencies.
- MOSAICSettlement, employment, counselling and family programs across Metro Vancouver.
- DIVERSEcity Community Resources SocietySettlement, language and family services in Surrey and the Fraser region.
ABAlbertaCalgary and Edmonton settlement agencies
Alberta’s settlement agencies offer child care navigation, language classes with child minding, and programs made for newcomer parents.
- Immigrant Services CalgaryOne-stop newcomer navigation - languages, family services and referrals.
- Centre for Newcomers (Calgary)Settlement, employment and youth programs, including family supports.
- Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)Settlement, child and family services, and community programs.
- Edmonton Mennonite Centre for NewcomersSettlement, language and career support for Edmonton-area families.
- Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA)Programs for newcomer women and their children, including child care while you learn.
- AAISAAlberta’s umbrella of immigrant-serving agencies - find a member agency near you.
SKSaskatchewanOpen Door societies in Saskatoon and Regina
Saskatchewan’s Open Door societies welcome newcomer families with settlement help, language support and family programming.
- Saskatoon Open Door SocietySettlement, language training and family supports, with child care while you study.
- Regina Open Door SocietySettlement and integration services for newcomers in southern Saskatchewan.
MBManitobaWinnipeg settlement and family supports
Manitoba’s newcomer organizations are known for warm, family-centred support - from first weeks in Canada to long-term belonging.
- IRCOMHousing and wrap-around family programs for newcomer families in Winnipeg.
- Welcome Place (Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council)Settlement services and refugee sponsorship support.
- N.E.E.D.S. Inc.Education and employment programs for newcomer children, youth and families.
ONOntarioCOSTI, Settlement.org and community agencies
Ontario has Canada’s largest settlement network - these starting points connect you to child care information and local agencies in your own language.
- COSTI Immigrant ServicesSettlement, employment and family services across the Greater Toronto Area.
- Settlement.orgOntario’s newcomer information hub - includes clear guides to child care and schooling.
- OCASIThe council of Ontario’s immigrant-serving agencies - find member agencies province-wide.
- YMCA of Greater TorontoNewcomer information centres, language assessment and youth programs.
QCQuebecAccompagnement Québec and community agencies
Quebec welcomes newcomer families with government accompaniment and community organizations offering francization and family support.
- Immigration QuébecGovernment services for new arrivals, including Accompagnement Québec and francization.
- PROMISSettlement, francization and family services in Montreal.
- Immigrant QuébecPractical guides and events for settling in Quebec, in several languages.
NBNew BrunswickFredericton and Saint John newcomer centres
New Brunswick’s newcomer centres help families settle in both official languages, with friendly staff who know the local child care landscape.
- Multicultural Association of FrederictonSettlement, language and community connections for newcomer families.
- Saint John Newcomers CentreSettlement planning, orientation and family support in Saint John.
NSNova ScotiaISANS and YMCA newcomer programs
ISANS is Atlantic Canada’s largest settlement agency, and YMCA teams support newcomer children and youth in schools.
- ISANS (Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia)Settlement, language and employment services - including family programs.
- YMCA of Greater Halifax/DartmouthYREACH and community programs supporting newcomer families and youth.
PEPrince Edward IslandIsland-wide newcomer support
PEI’s settlement agency welcomes families across the Island, from airport pick-up to long-term community connection.
- IRSA (Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI)Settlement, language and family services for newcomers to PEI.
- 211 Prince Edward IslandFind newcomer-friendly community supports across the Island.
NLNewfoundland & LabradorAssociation for New Canadians
The Association for New Canadians has welcomed newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador for over 45 years.
- Association for New CanadiansSettlement, language training and family programs, based in St. John’s.
- 211 Newfoundland & LabradorCommunity supports for newcomer families across the province.
YTYukonMulticultural Centre of the Yukon
In Whitehorse, the Multicultural Centre of the Yukon is the hub for newcomer families in the territory.
- Multicultural Centre of the YukonSettlement services, LINC language classes and community programs.
- 211 YukonFamily and community services across the territory.
NTNorthwest TerritoriesCommunity and literacy supports
The NWT’s community organizations support newcomer families with literacy, family programs and practical help.
- NWT Literacy CouncilFamily and adult literacy programs, including English language learning.
- YWCA NWTFamily support and children’s programming in Yellowknife and beyond.
NUNunavutCommunity learning and support lines
Nunavut’s community organizations support learning and wellbeing for families in Inuktut and English.
- Ilitaqsiniq - Nunavut Literacy CouncilCommunity learning and family literacy programs across Nunavut.
- Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut HelplineFree, anonymous phone support for Nunavummiut, every evening.
Also see: child care subsidies, parent information lines and family resource centres for every province live on our Family Resources page - they work hand-in-hand with the settlement services above.
Family Resources Across Canada