Settlement services are free programs funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that help newcomers find housing, learn English or French, get jobs, and navigate Canadian systems. Every province has them — most are run by long-established non-profits.
Eligible: permanent residents, protected persons, Ukrainian CUAET holders, and most refugees. Use the official IRCC Service Provider Map to find an agency near you.
One-on-one settlement counselling
A caseworker walks you through SIN, health card, school enrollment, and housing — usually 2–4 free sessions.
Free language assessment + LINC classes
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is fully funded by IRCC for permanent residents and protected persons. CLB level placement is free.
Employment counselling + bridging programs
Resume help, Canadian-context interview prep, and sector-specific bridging for regulated professions (engineering, nursing, accounting).
Foreign credential recognition support
Guidance on WES/IQAS evaluation, regulatory body applications, and the federal Foreign Credential Recognition Loan (up to $30,000 interest-free).
Mentorship + networking
Programs like TRIEC and ISSofBC's Career Paths pair newcomers with industry mentors for 4–6 months.
Family + youth programs
After-school, parenting, and senior-newcomer groups — often co-located with libraries and schools.
A non-exhaustive list of long-running, IRCC-funded providers. Most have free drop-in hours and serve clients in 30+ languages.
| Organization | Coverage | Website |
|---|---|---|
| COSTI Immigrant Services | GTA — language, jobs, housing, settlement counselling | costi.org |
| YMCA Newcomer Information Centres | Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener, Ottawa | ymcagta.org |
| Settlement.org | Province-wide info portal funded by IRCC | settlement.org |
| Organization | Coverage | Website |
|---|---|---|
| S.U.C.C.E.S.S. | Lower Mainland — counselling, employment, language, housing | successbc.ca |
| ISSofBC | Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby — Welcome Centre and case management | issbc.org |
| MOSAIC | Metro Vancouver — settlement, language, employment | mosaicbc.org |
| Organization | Coverage | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) | Calgary — full-service settlement | ccisab.ca |
| Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers | Edmonton — language, jobs, family programs | emcn.ab.ca |
| Organization | Coverage | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Accueil liaison pour arrivants (ALPA) | Montreal — francisation referrals, jobs | alpaong.com |
| MIFI (Ministère de l'Immigration) | Province-wide — Quebec runs settlement directly, not via IRCC | quebec.ca/immigration |
| Organization | Coverage | Website |
|---|---|---|
| ISANS (Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia) | Halifax + province-wide — language, jobs, mentoring | isans.ca |
| Association for New Canadians | Newfoundland & Labrador | ancnl.ca |
| PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada | Charlottetown + island-wide | peianc.com |
| Organization | Coverage | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Immigrant Services Society of Manitoba (IRCOM) | Winnipeg — housing-linked settlement | ircom.ca |
| Saskatoon Open Door Society | Saskatoon + provincial referrals | sods.sk.ca |
| YWCA Yellowknife | NWT — newcomer family supports | ywcanwt.ca |
Sources
IRCC Settlement Program (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship), Service Provider Map (ircc.canada.ca), Settlement.org, MIFI Quebec (quebec.ca/immigration). Last reviewed April 2026.
Not legal advice. Eligibility rules can change — confirm directly with IRCC or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.