Community Services Available

The British Columbia Newcomers’ Guide  to Resources and Services will give you some information on money and banking, health care, cars and driving, the legal system, community, culture and sports. The guide is geared more towards permanent residents but some information applies to all newcomers to BC

Towns, Cities and Regions

A number of services for residents are provided by the local government of the town or city where you live in BC Services provided by local government include community centres, recreation centres, police and fire services, garbage pick-up and recycling, library services and more...

To learn more about the services provided in your community and how to access services, you should go to your town or city’s official website, or contact them directly through the city hall or community centre.

Public Transportation

Local public transportation is organized by local governments. In some smaller communities there may not be public transportation or only very limited services. Larger cities in BC will have well developed public transit systems with many routes and frequent service.

Learn about public transportation options including routes, schedules and fares in your community.

Mail/Postal

Canada has a modern, efficient and reliable mail system for sending letters and packages. 

How to Mail Letters and Parcels

You can visit a local post office – which may be located in a mall or corner store – to help you calculate how much to pay for a package or letter overseas, or you can simply mail some packages and letters yourself by putting it into the mail-slot built into red Canada Post/Poste Canada mailboxes on local streets and other locations around town if you have the right postage stamps for what you are sending.

Rates

Visit Canada Post to get the latest rates for letters and parcels within Canada, to the U.S. and overseas.

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Recycling/Garbage

The local government is responsible for garbage pick-up and recycling services. Usually garbage pick-up occurs once or twice a week on specific days. You should look on your town or city’s website or contact city hall to see which days garbage collection occurs in your neighbourhood. It is your responsibility to make sure your garbage is in the right place when garbage trucks come to pick up your waste.

British Columbians are environmentally conscious and work to promote a safe and healthy community. All communities in BC recycle items such as paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals. It is your responsibility to separate the recyclable items from the rest of the garbage. “Blue Bins” are provided by the community for your recycling. These should be put out when you put out your garbage as well.

Library

Libraries are an easy, accessible and economical way to be entertained and to educate yourself. All communities in BC provide library services. You can take out books, CDs, DVDs and more from libraries at no cost. You only need a library membership card to be able to begin borrowing items.

To become a library member, you will need a piece of picture ID as well as proof of your residence in the community. This may include a letter or bill with your name and address, or a piece of ID that shows your address (such as a Driver’s License). Bring these items to the library when you request a membership card.

Telephone

There are several companies in BC that provide home (landline) and mobile (cell) telephone service.  Canada has an advanced wireless and land-based telephone system with a number of choices as to how you want to communicate. Most of the larger companies have outlets or kiosks in shopping centres or other commercial areas where you can purchase cell phones or other phone equipment and services. These same companies can also provide internet and cable television services. You should contact the companies directly to learn more about their services, fees, and coverage.

You might want to start with BC’s main providers first to give you an idea:

Police & Fire Services

Police and Fire Services in BC work to serve and protect the residents of British Columbia. If you experience an emergency situation or a crime has occurred against you, you should contact the police services as soon as possible.

All residents and visitors to BC must obey the laws of Canada and the province. As a TFW, you may be expelled from Canada if you are caught breaking the law.

You may want to read more on your rights and responsibilities as a temporary worker in Canada.

If you are interested, the full text of Canada’s Criminal Code is available from Canada’s Department of Justice.

To contact police or emergency personnel anywhere in BC you should dial 911. But this number should only be used in medical emergencies or crisis situations. 

If you need to contact the local police or fire services but it is not an emergency, you should call the phone number of your local station. The fire and police services of each municipality have their own telephone number. You can find this number in the local telephone book or online.

Ambulance

If you are in a crisis or emergency situation, ambulances or paramedics can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by dialling 911.

To get general health information relating to an ongoing or non-emergency sickness or condition you should dial 811. 

You’ll find more information about health care in BC on our health page.