Life in Canada: How Halloween is Celebrated. Every year on October 31, Canadians celebrate Halloween as part of their tradition. The very first Halloween was celebrated when the Irish and Scottish immigrants settled in urban North America in the 1800s. If this is your first Halloween celebration in Canada, read this blog post to learn…
Five Things to Know Before Moving to Canada This blog post is written by Tyson Dimayuga from Next Stop Canada Are you planning your move to Canada? It’s both an exciting and challenging journey to immigrate to a new country. There will be a lot of adjustments and learnings ahead of you. Hence to save…
We had a great time participating in the 8th annual Toronto Newcomer Day fair! It’s the first in-person event we participated in since the pandemic turned everything virtual. The Toronto Newcomer Day’s goal is to welcome newcomers to Toronto, help them understand the wide range of services available in the city, and celebrate the diversity…
As I immigrated to Canada in the fall of 2016, I was very excited to start a brand new life – in a new country, far, far away from home. Since I was born and raised in a tropical country, moving to Canada was like a dream come true! A four-season country where I can…
As the province of Ontario announced to gradually ease COVID-19 restrictions on January 31, we are also safely and cautiously reopening our YMCA Newcomer Information Centre for in-person services effective February 14, 2022. We continue to take safety measures and following the provincial and municipal safety protocols in all our centres to protect everyone from…
In a few weeks, we will reach the end of 2021. The YMCA Newcomer Information Centre would like to thank you for your continuous support and trust in using our newcomer service and our community partners for the ongoing collaboration. Please take a look at our office hours during the holiday seasons: We will resume…
Depending on which province you are in, winter in Canada can be extremely cold with the lowest temperature of -76°F (-60°C) or mild with the lowest temperature of 21°F (-6°C).
Canada is a country that is full of diversity, where people from countries around the world live and work peacefully in an inclusive, fair, and equitable society. Therefore, Canada is often called a “Cultural Mosaic” – a mix of different ethnic groups, languages, and cultures.
As a newcomer, you may be wondering why Canadians wear a Red Poppy in their left lapel; it’s impossible not to notice it, especially in November. The Red Poppy, which grows on the First World War battlefields in Flanders, in Belgium and northern France, is the symbol of Remembrance Day. This memorial day is observed…
When you move to a new country, knowing how to speak their language is beneficial as it can help you adapt better. Most newcomers in Canada want to improve their English language skills for the following reasons: to find a job, pursue higher education, or better integrate into the new society. Speaking in a language…
