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Newcomers have been settling in Norfolk for generations. They came to a land where Indigenous peoples have lived for thousands of years. They are the First Nations. Norfolk County sits next to two First Nations reserves: Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River, the largest reserve in Canada by population. It is important that newcomers know about the history and traditions of the Indigenous peoples.
Norfolk County has a number of groups and organizations that help newcomers, refugees, international farm workers and international students. They answer questions, offer advice, provide support and will try to match you with services that meet your needs. There is also a lot of information available online. Websites from the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario are the most reliable source of information.
Norfolk Community Help Centre
Provides a wide variety of newcomer settlement services to fulfill the goal of enabling people to become full participants in Canadian society. It also offers services for the Low German Mennonite population, including a Moms and Tots program.
The team is ready to assist with:
Employment searches, job applications, and resumé writing; Government Application assistance; application assistance for Healthy Smiles Dental Program, Ontario Works, Client Advocacy supports, Mental Health Supports, Interpretation Services, and Family Supports.
Address:Â Houghton Public School, 505 Fairground Side Road, Langton
YMCA Immigrant Services
Provides services for Norfolk residents, including community supports and weekly English conversation circles in Simcoe and Delhi that use volunteer tutors. YMCA staff regularly visit Norfolk to meet with newcomers. The YMCA also has a program called Canada Connects, which matches newcomers with Canadians and established immigrants. Newcomers gain a better understanding of Canadian customs and ways of doing things.
Address:Â 100 Water Street, Brantford
Simcoe Office – Catholic Community Services of York Region
A Simcoe office provides in-person and online services mainly for international agricultural workers and international students, but also helps other newcomers. Provides settlement services, counselling, referrals to health care and other services, informal English classes, workshops, and many social activities.
Address: 191 Queensway West, Simcoe
Newcomers Gateway – Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie
Includes information about services in Norfolk, Brantford, Haldimand, and Brant, as well as information from websites from Ontario and Canada. Â
Start Your Life in Canada – Government of Canada
Information for newcomers learning to live in Canada: finding settlement services, a place to live, jobs, health care, language classes, and more.
Refugees and Asylum – Government of Canada
Information for refugees in Canada to help them find services and programs, and informs refugees of their legal rights.
Newcomers – Government of Ontario
Information for Ontario newcomers and immigrants: finding settlement services, English classes, and special government programs.
Orientation to Ontario Workbook
An information guide for newcomers settling in Ontario. It covers many aspects of daily life. It is available in almost 20 languages.
Settlement.org – Welcome to Ontario
This website provides information for newcomers to Ontario. Newcomers can submit questions, share their experience, and get referrals.
Canadian CitizenshipÂ
Obtaining Canadian Citizenship requires passing a test to prove you understand what it means to be a citizen. The Canadian government has useful information that explains the process.
Discover Canada – Study Guide
This is the Canadian government approved guide for people to study for the Canadian Citizenship test. The guide is free. Some private businesses charge fees for study guides.
Ace the Test – Citizenship Counts
This free website talks about why to become a Canadian citizen, how to become a Canadian citizen, and has an online citizenship quiz that you can practice answering questions.
Indigenous Peoples of Canada Atlas
Learn about Canada’s First Nations, their traditional ways, connections to the land, arts and culture. Also learn about Colonialism and the mistreatment of Indigenous people.
Indigenous Peoples of Canada Atlas
Learn about Canada’s First Nations, their traditional ways, connections to the land, arts and culture. Also learn about Colonialism and the mistreatment of Indigenous people.
Indigenous Peoples and Newcomers
An introduction about Indigenous Peoples for newcomers, with the story told by video. The video is designed to bolster dialogue between Indigenous people and newcomers.
Six Nations of the Grand River
Learn about the six First Nations that make up the largest reserve by population in Canada, which is near Norfolk, how it is governed today and its land claims.
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
This First Nation’s reserve is also near Norfolk County. Its people were moved from its ancestral land at the forks of the Credit River (current day Mississauga) to Hagersville.
Community Legal Clinic – Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk
This is a non-profit community organization that provides legal advice about a wide range of legal-related issues for low-income residents of Norfolk. This includes Immigration Law, Refugee Law, Housing, Employment Law, Family Law, and Criminal Law. The main office is in Brantford an has a Simcoe office that is open by appointment only.
Simcoe Address: Wellness & Recovery Centre, 50 Orchard Avenue
Immigration Law – Steps to Justice
This webpage provides general step-by-step information to help you understand and work through legal questions related to Immigration Law. This includes information about temporary resident permits, permanent resident status, Canadian citizenship, migrant workers, sponsoring family members, and more. The information is not meant to be legal advice for a specific legal issue. Steps to Justice is supported by reputable legal groups and the government.
Refugee Law – Steps to Justice
This webpage provides step-by-step information to help you understand and work through legal questions related to Refugee Law. This includes information about making a refugee claim, filling out application forms, refugee hearings, and more.
Pro Bono Ontario – Canadian Legal Support for Ukrainians
This is a telephone hotline that provides free legal advice to Ukrainians arriving in Canada who have been affected by the invasion of Ukraine. Callers can speak directly to a lawyer about immigration-related issues and receive help with other issues related to resettlement, including housing and employment. Services are available in Ukrainian, English, and French.
Learn about Immigration and Citizenship representatives
Check if an immigration consultant is licensed to operate
Immigration consultants must be registered to legally operate in Canada. This is to protect immigrants. Check if a consultant is legitimate.