Government of Canada
The government of Canada also has a site with information about how to welcome Syrian refugees: Donate. Volunteer. Sponsor. All Canadians can help welcome Syrian refugees. With the suggestions contained in this website you can help make a difference in their lives in a number of different ways – small and large. Let’s all get involved!
A wealth of information starts with a map of destination communities and service provider organizations. Search on the map to find locations where newcomers will be resettled, to find locations where there are resettlement assistance programs in place, and to find locations where there are service provider organizations.
RESP – Canada Learning Bond
The Canada Learning Bond is an important but little known benefit that sponsors and arriving refugees should know about. Sponsors should help arriving refugees to get Social Insurance Numbers for all members of the family as soon as they arrive in Canada. This is essential if arriving refugees hope in future to use a Registered Education Savings Plan and the Canada Learning Bond to help finance their children’s post-secondary education. It’s a fact that children of immigrants are more likely to attend university (rather than college) than their Canadian-born counterparts. So sponsors should help arriving refugees start planning for this as soon as possible.
Ontario Government
The Ontario Government has an excellent resource: Syrian Refugees: How you Can Help. Ontario stands with the world, ready to do its part to help thousands of Syrian families displaced by war, settle here safely. With so many generous offers of support from communities across the province — together, we will make a difference.
For driver licences, plate stickers, health cards, bkrth certificates and other services go to Service Ontario.
Find information related to employment for newcomers at Employment Ontario.
211 Ontario
211 Ontario is a searchable database of all the services available to Ontario citizens. Type in your postal code, search for a specific organization, or browse the topics. Here is the list of services specifically for newcomers. Download the 211 Ontario brochure in English/French/Arabic.
We also recommend that you explore the information at the Settlement.org website, in particular the section that allows you to find services located in specific Ontario locations.
City of Toronto Refugee Resettlement Program
As a service to newcomers to Toronto the municipal government has recently launched its Refugee Resettlement Program website. Here is where you’ll be connected to Information Fairs, Settlement Workers, Housing Support, Health Care, Employment Assistance and a brochure for newcomers.