Your First Month in Canada

Here are some of the essential things you will need to do during your first month in Canada. Click each item to learn more.

Learn or improve your English

You can enroll in adult English as a Second Language classes. Sign up at the Centre for Employment & Learning:

The Centre for Employment and Learning

Or visit one of five locations across Huron County:

Clinton Centre
60 Mary St, Clinton, ON
519-482-1700
Seaforth Centre
9 Goderich St W, Seaforth, ON
519-527-2288

Exeter Centre
349 Main St, Exeter, ON
519-235-0471

Wingham Centre
152 Josephine St, Wingham, ON
519-357-4995

Goderich Centre
41 West St, Goderich, ON
519-524-2515

 

Join a Conversation Circle!

Conversation Circles give newcomers an opportunity to connect with each other and practice speaking English with an English-speaking volunteer. Ask about joining in-persons essions at the following locations

Exeter – Huron County Library,
330 Main St S, Exeter, ON
519-235-1890

Goderich – Huron County Library
52 Montreal St, Goderich, ON
519-524-9261

photo of Service Canada office exterior in Goderich Ontario
Service Ontario Office<br />
Goderich Ontario

Get ready to work

Community agencies provide employment services for newcomers to Ontario at no cost.

The Centre for Employment and Learning sites mentioned above, offer:

  • Support to update your resume and cover letter for the Canadian job market
  • Interviewing techniques
  • Job search strategies and more

WILL employment solutions connect immigrant job sekers to employers who are looking to hire qualified workers: www.willemployment.ca/

To find local job advertisements visit:

Learn about your rights at work

Find out what to expect in an Ontario workplace and what your rights are, by visiting this website for newcomers moving to Ontario:
My Rights at Work

More information about worker rights in multiple languages can be found here:
Community Legal Education Ontario

 

Get your credetials accredited

Certain jobs require your skills and training to
be assessed. Regulated jobs, including work in the trades, are controlled by provincial or, sometimes, federal laws. They are governed by a regulatory body or apprenticeship authority.
To learn more visit: Get your credentials assessed in Canada – Canada.ca

 

Find childcare

In Huron County, there are many types of child care options for families. These include:

  • Huron EarlyON
  • Licensed centre-based childcare
  • Licensed home childcare
  • Unlicensed childcare
  • Nursery schools
  • Before and after school programs

To learn more, visit: Children’s Services – Huron County

Book an immigration medical exam

Some immigration applicants who enter Canada are required to take a medical exam as part of Canada’s immigration process. This exam must be performed by a physician who has been approved by the government to do these medical exams.

The following service providers have been identified:

Immigration Medical Examiners: Kitchener (imemed.ca)
751 Victoria St S, Suite B 106, Kitchener, ON
Phone: 519-748-8510

Dr. Edgard A. Arcia Bravo MPC
750 Baseline Rd E, Suite #104, London, ON Phone: 519-850-3335

Panel Doctors – Immigration Medical Exams
430 The Boardwalk, Suite 308, Waterloo, ON
E-mail: info@paneldoctors.ca
Phone: 519-744-5932

McDonagh Immigration Medical Services
279 Wharncliffe Rd N, Suite 225, London, ON
E-mail: mcdonaghimmigrationservices@gmail.com Phone: 519-859-898

Get your Ontario Driver's Licence

When you move to Ontario, you can use a valid licence from another country for 60 days. After 60 days, you must switch to an Ontario driver’s licence.
To switch your licence, you must complete testing required by Ontario’s Licensing System. You can review the requirements at: Exchanges & Foreign Licences – DriveTest Home

Tests can be completed at:
Huron County DriveTest Centre
154 Beech St,
Clinton, ON
1-888-570-6110

You can find other test locations online at: Alphabetical Centre List – DriveTest Home

Using a foreign licence

You can exchange a foreign licence for an Ontario driver’s licence if it is from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States.
For more details visit: Exchanges & Foreign Licences – DriveTest Home

If your country of origin is not listed above, you must do the following to get a licence:

1. Go to a licensing centre and present your foreign driver’s licence to a customer service agent. There is no need to pre-book an appointment. Additionally, you will be asked to complete and pass:
a. A vision test
b. A knowledge test*
c. Pay all applicable fees
d. Provide acceptable proof of identity

*The knowledge test requires you to study The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook
The knowledge test is available in multiple languages.

If you successfully pass the knowledge test, vision test, pay applicable fees and provide proof of identity, you will be eligible to acquire your G1 licence. Note that this licence only lets you drive if you are accompanied by a driver who has had a G2 or G licence for four years or more.

There are two other levels of driver’s licences to drive a car independently. Road tests are required for the additional two levels of driver’s licences. Learn more at: Drivers’ Licences – Cars – DriveTest Home

2. Once you pass the knowledge test, you can sign up for a road test which will grant you a G2 licence. If you are exchanging your licence for a foreign one, you can do the road test immediately. If not, there is a waiting period of 12 months, or 8 months if you go to a certified driver’s education course. Book your road test here.

Huron county roads map

Get support about immigration matters

For clarification on immigration related matters or processes, you can make an inquiry at Ben Lobb’s office, the Member of Parliament representing the riding of Huron-Bruce within the federal government.

Goderich Office
30 Victoria St
Goderich, ON
519-524-6560
email: ben.lobb@parl.gc.ca
Ben Lobb, Member of Parliament | Huron—Bruce

How Can We Help?

Huron County is always excited to support new and innovative ideas and businesses.
We’re here to help!

Find Us

57 Napier Street,
Goderich, ON
N7A 1W2
Canada

Phone

+1 (519) 524-8394 ext.6