I’ve arrived in the West Kootenays! Now what?

Welcome to the West Kootenay region (Balfour, Castlegar, Nelson, Rossland, Slocan and Trail) and thank you for choosing this area as your new home. We are thrilled to have you join our community where diverse voices come together to share ideas, learn from one another, and foster meaningful connections.

As an immigrant myself, coming to the West Kootenays 4 years ago, I want to share with you my experience and provide some insights and tips to help you navigate your settlement process with ease.

The journey of moving to a new place can be both exciting and challenging. When we first came to Canada, I had that feeling of being lost and lonely. It takes a lot of effort to restart your life in a “new world” with different rules, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and languages. 

Knowing what to do and where to go during that transition phase will help you to overcome that stage smoothly.

First, it is important to know what to expect during your first few weeks in Canada.
Check out Welcome Canada for a comprehensive guide from IRCC and some web tools to help you settle and integrate in Canada. They even have a list of important tasks that you must do before starting your life in Canada.

A B.C. Newcomer’s Guide is a wonderful resource and is available in 13 languages. You can download it as a free PDF, but your local CBAL office will probably have a copy to give you.

For newcomers to the West Kootenay area, here is the list of important tasks with the addresses and phone numbers of the organizations who can support you.

Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Go to a Service Canada office nearby.

Get your Permanent Resident Card

Provide your Canadian address to IRCC within 180 days. Your PR card will arrive at your home in the mail. To learn more: Applying for permanent resident card (PR Card).

Open a bank account

Here is list of most of the financial institutions in the West Kootenay:

Apply for government health insurance

Please note that it may take 3 months to get coverage.

Register your children in school

In Canada, the school year usually starts in early September and finishes in late June. It is best to enroll your child as early as possible because the registration process can take several weeks.

Find a doctor

Finding a family doctor who can accept you and your family as new patients can be challenging, but here is a list of local hospitals available in case of emergency:

Transportation

Newcomers will rely on public transportation when they first arrive.
West Kootenay Transit System is the local bus company that serves the region.

Housing and Accommodation

Below is a list of some great resources for housing in the West Kootenay and a tool for you to learn more about your rights as a tenant or landlord in BC.

Local community

Explore your community, visit your local community center or settlement services office.
The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL), and local public libraries are great places to meet people and make friends.

Driving in Canada

Learn how to get your driver’s license:

Improve your English and French & Finding Employment

As a newcomer, building your network and interacting with the right people is very important. See below for some organizations who can help you on your journey:  

Finally, the West Kootenay is a special and desirable place to live, offering a unique blend of nature, beauty, community spirit, and cultural richness. I am hoping that this information will make the settlement process smoother for everyone.

Holy Raoily – WKLIP Program Assistant