• LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers)
  
• Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program
  
• Host Program
  
• Refugee Programs and Services

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers)
The Government of Canada, in cooperation with provincial governments, school boards, community colleges, and immigrant and community organizations, offers free language training across the country for adult permanent residents. In most provinces, the name of the program is LINC, which stands for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada. This pamphlet lists the LINC assessment centres across Canada. These centres can assess your language training needs and refer you to the right LINC classes for your needs.

Most universities and community colleges also offer language classes, as do some private language schools and community organizations. You can contact these groups directly for more information. Remember to ask about fees, since these courses may not be free.

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program
LINC offers both full- and part-time classes to suit your needs, and some centres offer free child care while you attend classes. Most LINC centres can also refer you to other language training classes in your area.

Remember, language classes are available for every adult in your family, not just the person who may be looking for work.

For more information

Contact your local immigrant serving organization or one of the LINC assessment centres in Ontario.

Remember: when you use the telephone, speak slowly and clearly, and have a pen or pencil and some paper to write down information. You may be referred to another telephone number or be given other useful information.

Community Development Council Durham
134 Commercial Avenue
Ajax, Ontario L1S 2H5
(905) 686-2661
www.durhamLINC.ca

YMCA Immigrant Services
22 Grove Street West
Barrie, Ontario L4N 1M7
(705) 726-6421 ext. 264
www.ymcaofbarrie.org/immigrant.htm

Assessment Centre
Centre for Language Training
and Assessment
Brampton Civic Centre
150 Central Park Drive, Suite 200
Brampton, Ontario L6T 1B4
(905) 791-6700
www.clta.on.ca

Grand Erie Learning Alternatives
100 Colborne Street
Brantford, Ontario N3T 6E2
(519) 753-6079

T.R. Leger School of Adult,
Alternative and Continuing Education
2 Belmont Street
Cornwall, Ontario K6H 4Z1
(613) 937-3984

YMCA – Rexdale Youth Resource Centre
1530 Albion Road, Suite 83
Etobicoke, Ontario M9V 1B4
(416) 741-8714
www.ymcatoronto.org

Guelph Multicultural Centre
319 Speedvale Ave. East
Guelph, Ontario N1H 1E4
(519) 836-2222
www.gdmc.org

Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO)
360 James Street North
Hamilton, Ontario L8L 1H5
(905) 521-9917
www.siso-ham.org

Kingston and District
Immigrant Services
322 Brock Street
Kingston, Ontario K7L 1S9
(613) 548-3302

Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA Language Assessment Centre
301-276 King Street West
Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1B6
(519) 579-9622
www.ymcakw.org/services_crosscultural_language.htm

Cross-Cultural Learners Centre
505 Dundas Street East, 2nd floor
London, Ontario N6B 1W4
(519) 432-1133

Assessment Centre
Morningstar Middle School
3131 Morningstar Drive
Malton, Ontario L4T 1X3
(905) 677-0007

Halton Assessment Centre
(Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Georgetown)
100 Elm Drive West
Mississauga, Ontario L5B 1L9
(905) 875-3851, ext. 227

Assessment Centre
Centre for Language Training
and Assessment
100 Elm Drive West
Mississauga, Ontario L5B 1L9
(905) 270-6000
www.clta.on.ca

Dufferin-Peel Roman Catholic Separate
School Board -- LINC Program
Mississauga, Ontario
(905) 279-6816

YMCA
4580 Dufferin Street, 2nd Floor
North York, Ontario M3H 5Y2
(416) 635-9622
www.ymcatoronto.org

YMCA of Ottawa-Carleton
Language Assessment and Resource Centre
240 Catherine Street, Suite 308
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2G8
(613) 238-5462
www.educom.on.ca/ymca-ywca

New Canadians' Centre - Peterborough
205 Sherbrooke Street, Unit D
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 2N2
(705) 743-0882

The Career Foundation
9050 Yonge Street, Suite 318
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 9S6
(905) 707-1555
1 800 477-4217 (toll-free in Ontario)
www.careerfoundation.com

LINC Assessment Centre
143 North Christina Street
Sarnia, Ontario N7V 2A9
(519) 336-5950

YMCA of Niagara
129 Church Street
St. Catharines, ON L2R 3E2
(289) 213-5311
Email: ymcaofniagara_linc@bellnet.ca

YMCA
10 Milner Business Court, Suite 600
Scarborough, Ontario M1B 3C6
(416) 609-9622
www.ymcatoronto.org

Church of Epiphany
85 Larch Street
Sudbury, Ontario P3E 1E8
(705) 675-8405

Thunder Bay Multicultural Association
17 North Court Street
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4T4
(807) 345-0551

YMCA of Greater Toronto
42 Charles Street East, 3rd Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1T4
(416) 925-5462
www.ymcatoronto.org

English Testing Centre
1410 Ouellette Avenue
Windsor, Ontario N8X 5B2
(519) 253-2724

Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program

Immigrant-serving organizations are prepared to help newcomers as soon as they arrive in Canada. These organizations can:

• refer you to economic, social, health, cultural, educational and recreational services;
• give you tips on banking, shopping, managing a household and other everyday tasks;
• provide interpreters or translators, if you need them;
• provide non-therapeutic counselling; and
• help you prepare a professional-looking résumé and learn job-searching skills.

The Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP) pays for these services.

HOST PROGRAMS - Starting a New Life in Canada?

Make a new Canadian friend

Could you use some help adjusting to your new life in Canada? It takes time and support to learn a new way of life. The Host Program is designed to help you. The Host Program will match you with a Canadian who will volunteer to spend some time with you each week.

Helping you adjust to life in Canada

Your new Canadian friend can help you practise English or French. You can talk about what you need help with — whether it’s help shopping for groceries or registering your children at your local school.

You may need help using local public transit or understanding the telephone or utilities systems. You might want to talk with your new Canadian friend about the social and recreational activities available in your area.

Join the Host Program at no cost

Your new Canadian friend will not give you living accommodations or money. But, they will be happy to help you in many ways that will make your first months in Canada much easier. There is no cost to you to join the Host Program.

The Canadians who volunteer for the Host Program are not paid. They are proud of their country and want to share Canadian culture with you. You will also find that they are interested in learning about your culture. Everybody benefits from the Host Program.

Financial Assistance and Loans

The Canadian government has several programs to help refugees establish themselves in their new home.

Resettlement Assistance Program
Resettlement assistance is provided to Convention Refugees Abroad and members of the Source Country Class, and in some instances, members of the Country of Asylum Class, admitted to Canada as government-assisted refugees. These funds are given to help pay for

• meeting the refugee at the airport or port of entry;
• temporary accommodation;
• help in finding permanent accommodation;
• basic household items; and
• general orientation to life in Canada.

This money is also used to provide the refugee with income support for up to one year or until that person becomes self-sufficient, whichever comes first.

Immigration Loans Program

The Immigration Loans Program (ILP) is funded from the federal government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund. Repayments on the loans replenish this fund. Loans are approved according to the applicant’s needs and ability to repay.

Loans are largely given to government-assisted or privately sponsored members of the Convention Refugees Abroad, Country of Asylum and Source Country classes. The loans may be approved to pay for:

• the costs of medical examinations abroad;
• travel documents; and
• transportation to Canada.

Assistance loans are also available to newcomers to cover expenses such as housing rental, telephone deposits and work tools.

Interest is charged on ILP loans. The interest rate is set each January by the Department of Finance.

Interim Federal Health Program

Citizenship and Immigration Canada administers the Interim Federal Health (IFH) Program. Refugees are eligible for full benefits under the IFH Program until their provincial health plan coverage begins. Once provincial coverage has started, refugees are eligible for supplemental coverage under the IFH Program, which covers emergency dental, vision and pharmaceutical care.