Resources
Last updated: September 10, 2025Starting a new life in a new place can be both exciting and challenging. To help you navigate this transition, we have compiled a list of useful resources to help you get settled.
Resources Directory (A - Z)
Affordable Child Care Benefit
A monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of child care.
gov.bc.ca/affordablechildcarebenefit
Child Care Expenses
Parents, guardians, or caregivers paying for child care may be able to deduct money from income taxes.
ChildCareBC programs
Information about ChildCareBC programs.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/childcarebc-programs
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada
Connect a child with an adult mentor outside of their family for guidance and support.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
Help for young people through clubs that offer many after-school programs and activities.
Child and Family Services Search
Essential information and referrals to government and community support services.
Child and Youth Advocacy Centres (CYACs)
A network of professionals who work to support children and youth affected by abuse or violence. Provides information and resources for children who need help and people who want to report a child in danger.
Child Behaviour & Development
Information for families with children who need extra care related to behavior and development.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/child-behaviour-development
Foundry
A province-wide network of services for young people aged 12 to 24, including mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer supports, and social services.
YouthInBC Chat
A barrier-free, non-judgmental, confidential support chat service for young people aged 12 to 24. Available from noon to midnight.
BC Automotive Association (BCAA)
Home, car, travel, and small business insurance.
Toll-free: 1 877 247-5551
BC Registry Services
Information on personal property and vehicle liens (unpaid loans) and lien search services.
bcregistryservices.gov.bc.ca/bcreg/pprpg/ppsearch.page
Carpooling and carsharing
Information on carpooling and carsharing.
translink.ca/rider-guide/driving/carpooling-and-carsharing
Child car seat safety
Information on choosing and installing a child car seat or booster seat.
tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/child-car-seat-safety
DriveBC
Up-to-date road conditions and driving tips, including driving times, weather warnings, snow tire requirements, and road conditions.
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)
B.C. driver’s licence, insurance, and BC Services Card.
Insurance: 1 800 663-3051
Driver’s licences and IDs: 1 800 950-1498
RoadSafetyBC
Information about road safety in B.C.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/roadsafetybc
Safety and road conditions
Information about safety and road conditions.
icbc.com/road-safety/safety-and-road-conditions
Shift Into Winter
Up-to-date road conditions, winter driving tips, and winter tire guidelines to help you drive safely in winter.
roadsafetyatwork.ca/campaign/shift-into-winter
Vehicle Sales Authority (VSA)
Information about buying vehicles.
Adult Education
Options for mature students who want to complete high school or take courses to meet post-secondary program requirements.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/adult-education
BC Transfer Guide
Information about university transfer programs.
BC School & District Contact Information
School & District Contact Information.
Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
Provides information on Canada's education systems and referral services regarding credential assessments for immigrating, studying, or working in Canada.
Early Learning Programs
Information about early learning programs for children up to 5 years old.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/support/programs
EducationPlannerBC
Information about career training and upgrading programs.
Federation of Independent School Associations in British Columbia (FISA BC)
Information about independent schools.
Vancouver area: 604 684-6023
Immunization information
Vaccination Status Reporting Regulation for school-age children.
immunizebc.ca/children/vaccine-status-reporting-regulation
Kindergarten to Grade 12
Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K–12) programs.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
Information about language classes funded by the Government of Canada.
Le Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique
Information about French programs in B.C. public schools.
Vancouver area: 604 214-2600
Toll-free: 1 888 715-2200
LearnLive BC
Information about study permits.
Post-secondary institutions
A list of post-secondary institutions in British Columbia.
Private Training Institutions Branch
Information about finding private English schools and tutors offering English language training.
privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca
StudentAid BC
Financial help for post-secondary education.
B.C.Employment and Assistance Program
Help for people transitioning from income assistance to sustainable employment, and financial support for people who can’t work because of a disability.
Toll-free: 1 866 866-0800
BC Federation of Labour
Information about workers’ rights to safety and fair wages.
Vancouver area: 604 430-1421
Email: organize@bcfed.ca
Canada Labour Code
Federally regulated industries and workplaces.
canada.ca/en/services/jobs/workplace/federally-regulated-industries.html
Canadian Human Rights Commission
Discrimination complaints under federal human rights law.
Toll-free: 1 888 214-1090
Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants
Helps professionals in using their skills, training, and foreign qualifications for work.
Criminal Records Review Program
Apply for a criminal record check.
justice.gov.bc.ca/eCRC/home.htm
Employment and Social Development Canada
Learn how to protect your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/protection.html
Employment Insurance (EI)
Information about Employment Insurance benefits and leave.
canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei
Employment Standards
Information about hiring, firing, quitting, getting fired or laid off, getting paid, hours and overtime, taking time off, statutory holidays, and more.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards
Federal Job Bank
Thousands of jobs across Canada with online job boards and career websites.
Helpline for Children
Assistance for children and youth who need help. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Toll-free: 310-1234 (no area code is needed)
International Credential Recognition
Information about international credential recognition.
International Credential Recognition Loans
Financial help for getting certified.
SUCCESS: successbc.ca/fcr
PICS: fcrloans.ca/brands/pics/
ISSBC: issbc.org/our-services/fcrloans
MOSAIC’s Migrant Worker Program
Support for foreign workers who are having trouble at work with harassment, discrimination, or safety issues.
Vancouver area: 604 324-7979
Email: migrantworkers@mosaicbc.org
mosaicbc.org/services/settlement/migrant-workers
My Self Serve (MySS)
Online access to income and disability assistance.
Professional Credential Recognition
Information about Professional Credential Recognition.
Service BC
Contact information for various B.C. government programs, services, and representatives.
Vancouver area: 604 660-2421
Toll-free: 1 800 663-7867
Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre
Employment information and programs.
Vancouver area: 604 331-3603
Social Insurance Number
Information about the Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Toll-free: 1 866 274-6627
Canada.ca/social-insurance-number
WorkBC
Information about finding a job and working in B.C.
Toll-free: 1 877 952-6914
WorkSafeBC
Information about safe and healthy workplaces across B.C.
Toll-free: 1 888 967-5377
BC Cancer
Cancer screening services, including breast, cervix, colon, and lung cancer screening.
BC Centre for Disease Control
Provincial programs and clinics that support public health and help control the spread of disease in B.C.
BC Dental Association
Find a dentist.
yourdentalhealth.ca/visiting-your-dentist/find-a-dentist
BC Emergency Health Services
Information about ambulance billing.
BC PharmaCare
Information about what BC PharmaCare covers.
Vancouver area: 604 683-7151
Toll-free: 1 800 663-7100
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare-for-bc-residents/what-we-cover
BC Services Card
Information about accessing government services for B.C. residents.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/government-id/bc-services-card
Canada's Food Guide
Guidelines and considerations on healthy eating.
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Solutions to address alcohol and other drug-related harms.
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
Help to make the cost of dental care more affordable for eligible children under 19 and adults over 65.
canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html
Crisis Line Association of BC
Emotional support, crisis and suicide assessment/intervention, and resource information.
Toll-free: 310-6789 (no area code is needed)
Fair PharmaCare
Helps B.C. families pay for many prescription drugs.
Vancouver area: 604 683-7151
Toll-free: 1 800 663-7100
Get Checked Online
An easy way to test for STIs without visiting a health care provider. This service is provided by the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
604 707-5603
Health fee for international students
Information about health fees for international post-secondary students with study permits who are enroled in MSP.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/health-fee-international-students/pay
HealthLink BC
Free, non-emergency health information and advice in B.C.
Call 8-1-1 for HealthLink
Call 7-1-1 if you have trouble hearing
Healthy Kids Program
Helps low-income families to pay for basic dental care, prescription eyeglasses, hearing instruments, or alternative hearing assistance for children under 19.
Toll-free: 1 866 866-0800
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Information about heart disease and stroke.
Interim Federal Health Program
Limited, temporary coverage of health-care benefits for specific groups of people in Canada who don’t have provincial, territorial, or private health-care coverage.
Interim Federal Health Program – Services and Information
Search by location for a variety of providers that can offer their services under the IFHP program.
ifhp.medaviebc.ca/en/providers-search
Managing your health
Programs and services to help you stay healthy.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health
Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Information about B.C.’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) including eligibility, services covered, services not covered, out-of province coverage, BC Supplementary Benefits, etc.
Vancouver area: 604 683-7151
Toll-free: 1 800 663-7100
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp
Medical Services Plan (MSP) Supplementary Benefits
Information about partial payment for certain medical services obtained in British Columbia.
Medimap
Find a nearby walk-in clinic or Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).
Mental health and substance use services
Resources, services, and supports that can help with mental health and substance use.
bcmhsus.ca/mental-health-substance-use-services
QuitNow BC
A free program to quit or reduce tobacco and e-cigarette use.
Toll-free: 1 877 455-2233
Trans Care BC
Connects trans people, their loved ones, and clinicians with information, education, training, and support.
Toll-free: 1 866 999-1514
Email: transcareteam@phsa.ca
BC Housing
Housing listings, rental assistance programs, affordable rental and market rent housing, and subsidized housing.
Vancouver area: 604 433-2218
Toll-free: 1 800 257-7756
BC Housing – Emergency Shelters
Find emergency shelters, drop-in centres, outreach workers, transition houses, and safe homes.
bchousing.org/housing-assistance/homelessness-services/emergency-shelter-program
BC Human Rights Clinic
Help for people with provincial human rights complaints.
Vancouver area: 604 622-1100
Toll-free: 1 855 685-6222
Email: infobchrc@clasbc.net
BC Human Rights Tribunal
Information about human rights complaints in B.C.
Vancouver area: 604 775-2000
Toll-free: 1 888 440-8844
Email: BCHumanRightsTribunal@gov.bc.ca
BC Society of Transition Houses
Information about staying safe or preparing to leave a dangerous relationship.
BC211
Operates the Shelter and Street Help Line, assisting people in Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Victoria.
Phone or text: 2-1-1
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Information about buying a home and getting a mortgage.
Co-operative Housing Federation of BC
Offers services for finding and living in a co-op, including consultation, group buying, and conflict resolution.
Vancouver area: 604 879-5111
Vancouver Island: 250 384-9444
Toll-free: 1 866 879-5111
Housing and tenancy
Information about renting or buying a place to live, housing and tenancy laws, tenant and landlord rights, and resources.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
Understand what personal information landlords are allowed to collect.
oipc.bc.ca/documents/guidance-documents/2202
Recycle BC
Information on what you can and can’t recycle, where to take recyclables, and curbside collection schedules.
recyclebc.ca/where-can-i-recycle
Recycling Council of BC
Recycling information, including an encyclopedia and a hotline.
Vancouver area: 604 732-9253
Toll-free: 1 800 667-4321
Email: info@rcbc.ca
Residential Tenancy Branch
Information for tenants and landlords in B.C.
Vancouver area: 604 660-1020
Victoria: 250 387-1602
Toll-free: 1 800 665-8779
Email: HSRTO@gov.bc.ca
Return-It
Information about returning empty drink containers for a refund, as well as recycling electronics and large appliances.
Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)
Free legal education and advocacy for B.C. tenants.
Vancouver area: 604 255-0546
Toll-free: 1 800 665-1185
Access Pro Bono
Free legal advice for people who can’t afford a lawyer and can’t get legal aid.
Toll-free: 1 877 762-6664
Civil Resolution Tribunal
An accessible, affordable way to resolve many types of civil law disputes without needing a lawyer or attending court.
Clicklaw
Legal information, education, and resources across B.C.
Dial-A-Law
Free information on the law in British Columbia.
Toll-free: 1 800 565-5297
Justice Education Society
Information on how the court system works.
Toll-free: 1 855 875-8867
Legal Aid BC
Legal advice and resources for those unable to afford a lawyer.
Vancouver area: 604 408-2172
Toll-free: 1 866 577-2525
Legal Aid BC – Family Law
Free legal advice from a family law lawyer.
Vancouver area: 604 408-2172
Toll-free: 1 866 577-2525
B.C.Government – Overdose Prevention
Information about decriminalizing people who use drugs in B.C.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/overdose/decriminalization
Gambling Support BC
Free information and support for people dealing with problem gambling behaviour.
Toll-free: 1 888 795-6111 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
GameSense
Information to gamble safely and avoid getting into financial trouble.
Help Starts Here
Help for addiction, mental health, substance use, wellness, and stress, as well as support for counseling.
Here to Help
Information about mental health and substance use to support yourself or others.
Kids Help Phone
Serves children experiencing abuse or mental health challenges.
Toll-free: 1 800 668-6868
National Suicide Crisis Helpline
Help for people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Call or text: 9-8-8 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Toward the Heart
Harm reduction information, including how to respond to overdoses and details on naloxone programs.
Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST)
Trauma counseling services.
Vancouver area: 778 372-6593
Email: referrals@vastbc.ca
9-1-1
Emergency services including police, fire, and ambulance.
9-1-1
BC Accessibility Directorate
Give feedback on accessibility barriers when accessing government services.
Toll-free: 1 800 663 7867
Email: accessibility@gov.bc.ca
B.C.municipal police departments
Municipal and First Nations police departments.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/policing-in-bc/bc-police-forces#municipal
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Protect yourself against scams and fraud.
canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud.html
Canada Safety Council
Information to help protect individuals and families against cyberbullying and online scams.
csagroup.org/article/research/childrens-safety-and-privacy-in-the-digital-age
Canada's National Do Not Call List
List your phone number to reduce telemarketing calls.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Information on past and current scams affecting Canadians. Report fraud and identity theft.
Toll-free: 1 888 495-8501 (7 am – 1:45 pm Pacific Time)
antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
Civilian Review and Complaints Commission
Helps people with complaints about the conduct of RCMP members if they are not satisfied with the RCMP’s response.
Toll-free: 1 800 665-6878
Emergency information
Information on active emergencies throughout British Columbia.
Emergency support services
Information on supports that are available to people that have been evacuated from their home due to an emergency.
Ending Violence Association of BC
Find information about programs across B.C. served by EVA BC that provide support to anyone experiencing gender based violence.
Toll-free: 1 877 633-2505
Email: evabc@endingviolence.org
Get Cyber Safe
Information about cyber security and simple steps people can take to protect themselves online.
Identity theft information
Learn how to protect yourself against identity theft.
Immigration fraud and scams
Information about recognizing and reporting immigration fraud and scams.
Investment fraud information
Resources to help you recognize, reject, and report investment fraud.
investright.org/fraud-awareness/avoid-investment-fraud
Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC)
Information and help for anyone with a complaint against municipal police.
Toll-free: 1 877 999-8707
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Information on how to protect personal information.
Pedestrian safety
Information about being safe as a pedestrian (walking on the street).
icbc.com/road-safety/sharing/pedestrian-safety
PreparedBC
Information on how to prepare for an emergency.
Racist Incident Helpline
A culturally safe and trauma-informed resource for people who have experienced or witnessed a racist incident, but who may not want to or know how to report it to police.
1 833 457-5463
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Information about the RCMP, news, and getting record checks.
Protection from elder abuse and neglect
Information about elder abuse and neglect.
Seniors First BC
Information, advocacy, support, and referrals for older adults and those who care for them.
Vancouver area: 604 437-1940
Toll-free: 1 866 437-1940
Email: info@seniorsfirstbc.ca
Settlement agencies in B.C for permanent residents, including refugees
cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp
Settlement agencies in B.C for temporary residents, including refugee claimants, temporary foreign workers, and post-secondary international students
welcomebc.ca/temporaryresidents
BC Safe Haven program
Supports refugees as they go through the refugee claim process.
welcomebc.ca/start-your-life-in-b-c/find-newcomer-services
Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) program
Settlement assistance for refugees. This support may include a place to live, clothing, food, and help finding work.
NewToBC
Information about public libraries and services for newcomers.
Public library
Find your public library.
gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/arts-culture/public-libraries/find-your-public