News & Updates - December, 2015

News about and for newcomers to Ontario and the latest updates from Settlement.Org.

Thursday, December 31 2015
- Your First Two Weeks in Canada Video Now Available in ArabicTo help Syrian refugees and other newcomers settle in Canada, the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released an Arabic version of their “Your First Two Weeks in Canada” video.
Thursday, December 31 2015
- Applications for the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program Accepted Starting January 4, 2016The 2016 application package to sponsor parents and grandparents is now available online from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Applications for this program will be accepted as of 8am on January 4, 2016
Wednesday, December 30 2015
- Outdoors Cards for Hunting and FishingIf you would like to fish or hunt in Ontario, you will likely need an Outdoors Card, along with a hunting or fishing licence tag. You can apply to buy an Outdoors Card online, by phone or at some Service Ontario centres.
Thursday, December 24 2015
- Fire Safety Tips for the HolidaysThe Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management has provided some tips to enjoy a fire-safe holiday season. In case of a fire, call 9-1-1 from outside your home, from a cellphone or from your neighbour's home.
Tuesday, December 22 2015
- New Legal Aid Ontario AppLegal Aid Ontario (LAO) is launching a mobile phone application (app) to help people determine whether they are financially eligible for a legal aid certificate.
Monday, December 21 2015
- Ontario Funds Fertility Treatments at 50 ClinicsStarting today, Ontario is making fertility treatments more accessible by contributing to the cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and unlimited rounds of artificial insemination for eligible people at fertility clinics across the province.
Wednesday, December 16 2015
- Flying Drones Safely and LegallyTransport Canada reminds people using drones (unmanned air vehicles) that they must learn how to fly them safely and legally. If you have a drone, or if you receive one this holiday season, you need to be aware of the rules.
Tuesday, December 15 2015
- New Laws to Protect WorkersNews laws will protect Ontario workers by giving them more rights in several areas including in matters related to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
Tuesday, December 15 2015
- Ontario Appoints a Patient OmbudsmanOntario has selected its first Patient Ombudsman. The Ombudsman will look into complaints that haven’t been solved in the current system. The new Patient Ombudsman, Christine Elliot, will start July 1, 2016.
Tuesday, December 15 2015
- Track My Plow - Program Now Available in Huntsville AreaOntario is expanding the 'Track My Plow' program to the Huntsville area. This new program is an online portal that allows you to track snowplows on provincial highways in the area. The program is already available in Owen Sound and Simcoe Country.
Monday, December 14 2015
- Food Safety Tips to Keep Your Holidays HealthyThe Province of Ontario has provided advice on how to cook safely and avoid food poisoning this holiday season. Tips include making sure you cook meat or fish to the proper temperature and cleaning any surfaces touched by raw food.
Monday, December 14 2015
- New Human Rights Protections Based on CreedThe Ontario Human Rights Commission has an updated policy on creed (religion or spirituality). In Ontario, you are protected from discrimination based on creed in the areas of housing, services, employment, contracts, unions and professional associations.
Thursday, December 10 2015
- Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) start date is January 1, 2016. Depending on your income and family size you may be eligible.
Wednesday, December 9 2015
- In-Person and Online Consultations on Ontario’s BudgetThe Province of Ontario is inviting the public to share their ideas on Ontario’s budget. You can participate through town hall meetings, discuss and vote for ideas online, mail or email your thoughts or tweet using the #BudgetTalks hashtag.
Wednesday, December 9 2015
- Top 10 Tips for a Greener HolidayThe Province of Ontario has provided advice on how to make choices that are good for the environment this holiday season.
Wednesday, December 9 2015
- Syrian Refugees to Settle Across CanadaSyrian refugees will come to Canada through in several ways: as Privately Sponsored Refugees, Government-Assisted Refugees and Blended Visa Office-Referred refugees. The community where they will live in Canada is based on what program they come through.
Wednesday, December 9 2015
- Canada Post Multilingual Holiday ProgramChildren can write a letter to Santa in more than 30 languages and Santa and his postal elves will reply back in the same language. Make sure your children write as clearly as possible and that they include the address where Santa can send his response.
Monday, December 7 2015
- Spark Ontario - Welcoming Syrian Refugees Volunteer HubSpark Ontario has a new webpage where organizations looking for help can advertise volunteer positions that welcome Syrian refugees. If you would like to post a volunteer position, or you would like to volunteer yourself, visit the Spark Ontario webpage.
Friday, December 4 2015
- Ontario's Locally Grown Christmas TreesThe first Saturday of December is Christmas Tree Day in Ontario. Celebrate old traditions or create new ones by buying a local, sustainably grown Ontario Christmas tree this year.
Wednesday, December 2 2015
- New Standards for Police Record ChecksNew standards are in place about the type of information that can be provided in a criminal record check. You can now review your criminal record check before it is sent to anyone else such as an employer, volunteer organization or academic program.
Wednesday, December 2 2015
- Launch of Planning for Canada ProgramColleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are launching the Planning for Canada program.

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News & Updates - December, 2015

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