How to Stay Safe During Winter: Road Safety Tips for Drivers Canadian winters can be beautiful, but they also bring snow, ice, and freezing temperatures that make getting around more challenging, especially for newcomers experiencing their first winter. Whether you walk, take public transit, or drive, being prepared helps you stay safe and confident during…
Life in Canada: Improve Your Financial Literacy November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada. This is an initiative launched by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) in partnership with the Financial Literacy Action Group. Its goal is to empower Canadians with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions—from budgeting and saving to…
Canadian Social Norms: Sorting Your Waste in Canada When you first move to Canada, one of the things you might notice is how seriously people take sorting their waste. Whether you’re in a metropolitan city like Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary, or even in a smaller town, you will see that trash, recycling, and organic waste…
Newcomer Guide: 9 Public Transit Etiquettes for Newcomers to Know Using public transportation is one of the best ways to explore the city, get to know its people, and experience daily life in Ontario. Whether you’re riding the TTC in Toronto, hopping on a GO Train, or catching a bus in Mississauga, public transit connects…
Building a New Beginning: My Journey with YMCA Newcomer Services We had a wonderful opportunity to hear from one of our newcomer members who is willing to share his settlement journey to motivate and inspire other newcomers. Below is his story, written by Ankur himself. Moving to a new country is both an exciting adventure…
6 Canadian Etiquette to Understand for New Immigrants This blog was written by a former YMCA Newcomer Information Centre Information and Referral Specialist, Lena Samoilichenko. As you settle into your new surroundings, understanding local social etiquette can help you feel more at home and integrate smoothly into Canadian society. Here are some key aspects of…
A Newcomer Story: Finding Opportunities and Adapting for Success Armin’s journey with the YMCA began with the YMCA Pre-Arrival Settlement Services, Next Stop Canada. He learned about the program from the Government of Canada’s website and found out that they offer free services to help newcomers settle. “I was really nervous [about moving to a…
Welcoming Changes: Reflecting Your Journey and Growth in Canada The end of the year is a perfect time to reflect and think about what has happened over the past year and plan for a fresh start. For newcomers, settling into a new country comes with unique challenges but also opportunities to grow and learn. This…
