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4/2/2024
Topic:
got AOR/reference number, what next?

Moderator
Moderator
Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

According to IRCC,

If you apply online for permanent residence
  • If you submit a complete application and pay the biometrics fee at the same time
    • You’ll get the letter in your account message box within several days or several weeks.
      • We’ll send you an email to let you know that you have a new message.
  • If you pay the biometrics fee after you submit your application
    • It can take several weeks before you get the letter.
      • We’ll send you an email to let you know that you have a new message.




You may want to try and contact the IRCC directly to see if they can provide some additional information or an explanation regarding this issue.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.


Sincerely,


Your Settlement.Org team
4/10/2024
Topic:
Online application for PR renewal: uploading docs?

Moderator
Moderator
Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

If you are searching for a new family doctor, you may also find helpful information on the Government of Ontario's website on finding a referral for a doctor near you, here is an excerpt:

Find a family doctor or nurse practitioner
A family doctor or nurse practitioner is your primary health care provider – meaning they are the person you make an appointment with when you have a new, non-emergency health concern. You can learn more about their services below.
Visits to a doctor or nurse practitioner are publicly funded – meaning you don’t have to pay.
Here are two options to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients:
  • Register with our Health Care Connect service and have a nurse find a doctor or nurse practitioner for you.
  • Use The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s Find a Doctor search.
  • choose “Advanced Search” to find a doctor near you (by city/town or postal code)
  • click on “Additional Search Options” to narrow your search (to family doctors and/or language spoken)
  • contact the doctor to check if they are accepting new patients



  • If you find that the wait for a family physician is too long, you may want to visit a walk-in clinic for a referral from a family physician there. You can also call the Toronto Public Health Unit at 416-338-7600 for information or support in accessing care. As well as, Telehealth Ontario, which is a free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Assistance is available in more than 300 languages. When you call Telehealth, tell them what language you speak and you will be connected to an interpreter.

    • Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000
    • Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007


    You may also find helpful information in the Settlement.Org article, How can I find a family doctor? and How do I choose a family doctor?
    We hope this is helpful, please follow up with us if you have any further questions.


    Sincerely,


    Your Settlement.Org team
    4/11/2024
    Topic:
    Health insurance

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,
    Congratulations and thank you for sharing your questions with us.

    With regards to OHIP coverage, you may want to call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1(866)532-3161, and the operator know about your situation. You may also find helpful information in the Settlement.Org article, I came to Canada as a refugee. Am I eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)? The article also mentions the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) which may be worth looking into.

    Without OHIP, you also have other options for healthcare. Learn more about the many ways you can access healthcare in Ontario, including low-cost care and private health insurance. There is also more information about prenatal care options in Ontario in this article, I am pregnant and don't have OHIP. What health care can I get?.

    In terms of finding a doctor, You need a referral from a family physician to see a specialist like an OB-GYN. That being said, a hospital will not refuse you care if you need urgent attention. You may also find helpful information on the Government of Ontario's website on finding a referral for a doctor near you, here is an excerpt:

    Find a family doctor or nurse practitioner
    A family doctor or nurse practitioner is your primary health care provider – meaning they are the person you make an appointment with when you have a new, non-emergency health concern. You can learn more about their services below.
    Visits to a doctor or nurse practitioner are publicly funded – meaning you don’t have to pay.
    Here are two options to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients:
  • Register with our Health Care Connect service and have a nurse find a doctor or nurse practitioner for you.
  • Use The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s Find a Doctor search.
  • choose “Advanced Search” to find a doctor near you (by city/town or postal code)
  • click on “Additional Search Options” to narrow your search (to family doctors and/or language spoken)
  • contact the doctor to check if they are accepting new patients
  • When you fill out the form on Health Care Connect, it would be good to identify that you are pregnant. If you find that the wait for a family physician is too long, you may want to visit a walk-in clinic for a referral from a family physician there. You can also call the Toronto Public Health Unit at 416-338-7600 for information or support in accessing care.

    You can also call TeleHealth Ontario for advice, Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Assistance is available in more than 300 languages. When you call Telehealth, tell them what language you speak and you will be connected to an interpreter.
    • Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000
    • Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007
    We hope this information is helpful. Please follow up with us if you have any further questions.


    Sincerely,


    Your Settlement.Org team
    4/17/2024
    Topic:
    COPR/Visa Name Error - Will Be Corrected at POE?

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

    It is best that you contact IRCC directly for this information. The IRCC Client Support Centre can provide information and advice regarding this error, you can reach them by phone (1-888-242-2100) or use their web form.


    You want to inform them of this error as soon as possible. IRCC outlined the process for this in their helpdesk article, How do I correct an error on my immigration document?



    We hope this information is helpful. If you require any further assistance, it may also be helpful to seek the advice of a reputable and registered immigration consultant or an immigration lawyer about your situation. To find a community legal clinic in your area, visit Services Near Me.

    Sincerely,

    Your Settlement.Org team
    4/17/2024
    Topic:
    Adding partner to ODSP

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and situation, in addition to the helpful responses above, Lahbib70 and Alex Cray are right, disability assistance is not a type of social assistance that will disqualify you from sponsorship. If your case-worker is thinking of applying for social assistance on behalf of your sponsored spouse, you might find helpful information in the Ontario Works policy directives, section 3.11 -- Sponsored Immigrants

    Repayment of social assistance by defaulting sponsors
    Under IRPA, all social assistance received by a family class sponsored immigrant is considered a federal and provincial debt of the sponsor. Financial assistance received from Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities is not considered "social assistance" under IRPA.

    [...]
    Calculating assistance when a sponsor is in default
    A basic needs amount is provided. Shelter allowance depends on whether the person is living with or apart from the sponsor.
    1. Sponsored immigrants living with the sponsor or in a place owned or controlled by the sponsor:
    A shelter allowance is provided only if one of the following criteria is met:
    • the sponsored immigrant has a legal obligation to pay shelter costs (e.g., the sponsored immigrant is a lessee or named as a co-owner on a deed/mortgage)
    • the sponsored immigrant satisfies the Administrator that they cannot remain in the sponsor’s residence or in a place owned or controlled by the sponsor unless they pay for shelter costs (e.g., documentation of an obligation to pay for heat or utilities)
    • the sponsor is in receipt of Ontario Works, ODSP, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) under the Old Age Security Act or GAINS under the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income Act

    [...]
    Deferral of sponsorship debt recovery
    There are certain circumstances where sponsors may be deferred from debt recovery activity. In such cases, sponsorship debt continues to accrue until the end of the sponsorship period.
    Sponsorship debt recovery may be deferred in cases where:
    • the sponsored person is temporarily or permanently waived from the requirement to pursue support from their sponsor
    • the sponsor is incapacitated
    • the sponsor has undergone bankruptcy and the entire sponsorship debt was covered by the bankruptcy discharge
    • the sponsor has documented extraordinary circumstances
    • an open eligibility investigation has commenced for the sponsored person
    • IRCC confirms the validity of an undertaking is under review
    Debt collection should not be pursued for deferred cases; however, if the sponsor voluntarily comes forward to repay their sponsorship debt, debt recovery activity will be resumed by the ministry.
    The sponsorship debt recovery may be deferred for up to 12 months in cases where the sponsor’s circumstances are likely to change (e.g., the sponsor is in receipt of social assistance and the sponsored immigrant is temporarily waived from the requirement of pursing support). Circumstances supporting the reason for deferral should be clearly documented and the deferral should be reviewed by ministry staff after 12 months.



    It is best that you speak with your ODSP caseworker to clarify what this process may look like, and how to plan for debt repayment. You may also benefit from reaching out to a community legal clinic for advice regarding your situation. StepstoJustice has compiled a list of free to low-cost services that can offer you assistance with ODSP.


    We hope this information is helpful, please follow up with us if you have any follow-up questions.


    Sincerely,


    Your Settlement.Org team
    4/17/2024
    Topic:
    Options for Low Income Senior

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us. We appreciate your interest in this information.

    If you are in Ottawa, you may find helpful information on this page about submitting a Complaint to the city. Here is the form to submit a complaint about community and social services. Here is an excerpt:

    Submitting a Complaint

    In order to submit a formal complaint to the City, you will be asked to provide the following information:
    • Details of what happened
    • Where did this happen? Is it within the City’s area of responsibility?
    • When?
    • Who was involved?
    • What was said or done?
    • What kind of resolution is being sought?
    • Contact details of the complainant


    All complaints will be dealt with in a confidential manner according to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Information will be collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Act. More information on the Act is available on our website.


    You may also find some helpful information in the discussion forum thread: Ontario Works Caseworker ignoring my emails.

    Here is an excerpt:
    You can contact your local office for more information or escalate your complaint above your caseworker and their direct supervisor.

    If you’d like to file a complaint about your worker and the way they have conducted themselves professionally you can submit a complaint to the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

    If you wish to make a complaint about the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services itself, you can do so through the Ombudsman of Ontario.

    It may be best to contact the nearest Community Legal Clinic for some additional information regarding what your rights are in this situation as a tenant. Steps to Justice also has a compiled list of programs and services for help in housing law that may be of interest to you.

    According to StepstoJustice, If you have a problem with cockroaches, bedbugs, mice, or other pests, your landlord must take steps to get rid of them and to stop them from getting in. This is a normal part of the maintenance that landlords must do.

    As a tenant in Ontario, you have legal rights. These rights are explained in the Human Rights Code and the Residential Tenancies Act. You may find the article, What are my rights as a tenant? helpful.

    You may also find helpful information in the StepstoJustice article, I have mobility issues, does my landlord have to make adjustments to the rental unit for me? Here is an excerpt:
    Ontario's Human Rights Code says that if you have a disability, your landlord must try to accommodate you. This means the landlord must make adjustments so that you can use and access your apartment and your building. For example, your landlord may have to:
    • install a ramp or hand rails to make it easier for you to use the building
    • widen a doorway so your wheelchair fits
    • renovate your bathroom or kitchen so you can use them properly
    The landlord may also need to change their policies if your mobility disability makes it difficult for you to follow the policies. For example, your landlord may have a policy that says rental payments must be made in the office on the 3rd floor, but the building has no elevator. The landlord may have to accommodate your mobility disability by allowing you to pay your rent another way.



    Connecting with a community legal clinic can help you with this advocacy effort, I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

    Sincerely,


    Your Settlement.Org team
    4/17/2024
    Topic:
    PR Card Renewal and Documents Needed

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us. According to IRCC's guide on documents that prove your Canadian citizenship, there is a list of valid documents you can use as proof of citizenship. Here is an excerpt:


    Documents you can useYou can use these documents to prove your Canadian citizenship:
    Citizenship certificatesA citizenship certificate is an official document that proves your Canadian citizenship. You’ll get the certificate after we approve your application

    When you apply, you need to choose between the electronic or paper format of the certificate in your application.



    We hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to post them here. You may also want to contact the local visa office or IRCC via web form for case-specific advice and information.

    Sincerely,

    Your Settlement.Org Team
    4/17/2024
    Topic:
    Period of stay in Canada while studying

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

    It is best that you contact IRCC directly for case-specific advice and information. The IRCC Client Support Centre can provide information specific to your situation and application, you can reach them by phone (1-888-242-2100) or use their web form. If you require any further assistance, it may also be helpful to seek the advice of a reputable and registered immigration consultant or an immigration lawyer about your situation.

    We hope this information is helpful.

    Sincerely,

    Your Settlement.Org team
    4/17/2024
    Topic:
    LONG FORM CITIZENSHIP REPLACEMENT

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

    According to IRCC Help Centre article, My application was returned because something was missing. What can I do?
    If we return your application because it’s incomplete, we also send you a letter and a checklist that explain why and what’s missing.
    When you send your application back, make sure you
    • add any document or information that was missing the first time and include the letter and checklist we sent you
    • write a letter that explains why you’re changing or updating your information, or why you can’t get the document we requested
    If you applied on paper and we returned your application by email, find out how to resubmit your documents.
    You can use all the same documents and payment receipts to apply again. Make sure the signatures are still valid.
    • We must get your application within 90 days from the date you signed it.
    • The date you signed it can’t be in the future (postdated).
    If you need to, you can fill out, sign and date new forms.
    You should also read the application guide to see if anything changed since the last time you applied.

    The processing time only starts the day we receive your complete application. If we returned your application by mistake, we’ll use the date we first received your application.


    Since you do not have the requested documents, it would be best to discuss this situation with IRCC directly -- it sounds like you have tried calling IRCC, so you may also find it helpful to submit a web form inquiry sharing your situation and requesting advice. We hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions and would like to follow up with us, please feel free to post them here.

    Sincerely,


    Your Settlement.Org Team
    5/2/2024
    Topic:
    Truth and Reconciliation

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and perspective here on this forum, we appreciate your interest in improving the content on Settlement.Org. We have a section of the website dedicated to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples as part of our citizenship section, and will take your feedback to our staff writers.

    You may find more comprehensive information on the National Centre for Truth and Conciliation website under their Reports section.

    In Volume 4 of the Final Report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada reports on Canada's Residential Schools: Missing Children and Unmarked Burials. Here is an excerpt from the report's findings:
    The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s “Missing Children and Unmarked Burials Project” is a systematic effort to record and analyze the deaths at the schools, and the presence and condition of student cemeteries, within the regulatory context in which the schools were intended to operate. The project’s research supports the following conclusions:
    • The Commission has identified 3,200 deaths on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Register of Confirmed Deaths of Named Residential School Students and the Register of Confirmed Deaths of Unnamed Residential School Students.
    • For just under one-third of these deaths (32%), the government and the schools did not record the name of the student who died.
    • For just under one-quarter of these deaths (23%), the government and the schools did not record the gender of the student who died.
    • For just under one-half of these deaths (49%), the government and the schools did not record the cause of death.
    • Aboriginal children in residential schools died at a far higher rate than school aged children in the general population.
    • For most of the history of the schools, the practice was not to send the bodies of students who died at schools to their home communities.
    • For the most part, the cemeteries that the Commission documented are abandoned, disused, and vulnerable to accidental disturbance.
    • The federal government never established an adequate set of standards and regulations to guarantee the health and safety of residential school students.
    • The federal government never adequately enforced the minimal standards and regulations that it did establish.
    • The failure to establish and enforce adequate regulations was largely a function of the government’s determination to keep residential school costs to a minimum.
    • The failure to establish and enforce adequate standards, coupled with the failure to adequately fund the schools, resulted in unnecessarily high death rates at residential schools.

    These findings are in keeping with statements that former students and the parents of former students gave to the Commission. They spoke of children who went to school and never returned. e tragedy of the loss of children was compounded by the fact that burial places were distant or even unknown. Many Aboriginal people have unanswered questions about what happened to their children or relatives while they were attending residential school. e work that the Commission has begun in identifying and commemorating those students who died at school and their gravesites needs to be finished. e work that the Commission has commenced is far from complete. The National Residential School Student Death Register established by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada represents the first national effort to record the names of the students who died at school. There is a need for continued work on the register: there are many relevant documents that have yet to be reviewed. There is a need for the development and implementation of a national strategy for the documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries. Such a program, carried out in close consultation with the concerned Aboriginal communities, is necessary to properly honour the memory of the children who died in Canada’s residential schools.




    We recommend reading the full report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, and their other reports on Canada's Residential Schools, the Survivor's Stories, and Lessons Learned. You can find these documents by visiting the Reports section of the NCTR website.

    You can also find information on the National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools Missing Children and Unmarked Burials website. The National Advisory Committee was established to ensure Indigenous communities have access to independent, trusted and expert information in their efforts to identify, locate, and commemorate their missing children. The National Advisory Committee brings together individuals with a wide-range of experience and expertise in areas such as Indigenous laws and cultural protocols, forensics, archeology, archival research, criminal investigations, communication and working with Survivors.

    You may also wish to visit the Know Indigenous History Website and subscribe to their newsletter. They offer educational webinars and other services with the intention of contributing to the decolonization of history. They offer historical research services and products that meet the unique needs of Indigenous communities. They also ensure community-wide access to the archival collections we uncover in our research, and work with the community to preserve the knowledge shared with KnowHistory for future generations.

    We hope this information is helpful, please follow up with us if you have any further questions.

    Sincerely,

    Your Settlement.Org team
    5/2/2024
    Topic:
    Request document travel

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us, we appreciate your concern and hope that other users can also share their experiences with you.

    It is best that you contact IRCC directly for updated information about your case, unfortunately we do not have access to case-specific information at Settlement.Org, so it may still be helpful to direct your inquiry to the IRCC Client Support Centre as a way to raise concern that your package has not been mailed yet at this stage.


    If you have not been able to reach IRCC by phone (1-888-242-2100), it may be helpful to try their web form. While call volumes have increased at IRCC, I would highly suggest calling earlier in the morning when their phonelines open to increase your chances of securing a spot in the wait queue. I'm sorry that you haven't been able to receive any conclusive answers, and hope this information is helpful. If you have feedback that you'd like to share in the form of a compliment, comment, or complaint about this process, IRCC also accepts feedback through the web form linked here.


    If you find yourself in a position where you need to travel and do not yet have your PR card, you may also find helpful information in the Settlement.Org article, I need to leave Canada but do not have my PR card yet. What should I do?

    If you wish to connect with an immigration lawyer or consultant for advice regarding your situation, the article linked will have resources on how to find one. It may also help to connect with a community resource navigator at 211 to find community legal clinics near you that provide this service.

    211 Ontario is a free, confidential service. Their phone service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Here is a link to their live chat if you prefer to communicate online. Their live chat service is available Monday to Friday from 7am-9pm ET.

    We hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to post them here.

    Sincerely,

    Your Settlement.Org Team
    5/10/2024
    Topic:
    First PR card application

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will mail your PR Card to you, after the information and photograph on your Confirmation of Permanent Residence document is confirmed by a IRCC official when you arrive in Canada.

    If you did not provide your mailing address to IRCC at the point of entry, do so as soon as possible. You can update your address online or you can contact the IRCC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100.

    If you do not provide Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) your address within 180 days of the date of your admission, you will need to reapply for your PR Card and pay the applicable fee.

    We recommend contacting IRCC directly with your case number in hand to update them with your current address. You can find more information in the Settlement.Org article, Do I need to apply for my PR card?

    We hope this information is helpful, please follow up with us if you have any further questions.

    Sincerely,

    Your Settlement.Org team
    5/10/2024
    Topic:
    PR card Renewal and documents requirement

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

    For PR renewal, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will look back at your time in Canada over the previous 5 years from the date they receive your application.


    You may also find helpful information on this matter in the previous discussion forum thread, When does the 5-year period begin?


    To meet your residency obligations, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period. The 5-year period is assessed on a rolling basis, which is something to take into account as you calculate your 5 year period.

    You may also want to contact IRCC directly, using their web form to request case-specific information and discuss your application.


    It may also be useful to note that processing time does not include the wait time before they receive the application, and only starts once IRCC receives a completed application. You may also wish to seek the advice of a reputable and registered immigration consultant or an immigration lawyer about your situation.

    If you find yourself in a position where you need to travel and do not yet have your PR card, you may also find helpful information in the Settlement.Org article, I need to leave Canada but do not have my PR card yet. What should I do?


    Regarding your second question, you may find helpful information in Appendix A: Residency Obligation of Guide IMM 5445 - Applying for a permanent resident card (PR card)


    Supporting documents showing that you meet the residency obligation
    • You must provide copies of 2 pieces of evidence that can show residency in Canada in the five (5) years immediately before the application, such as:
      • employment records or pay stubs;
      • bank statements;
      • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment for the five (5) years immediately before the application
      • evidence that you received benefits from Canadian government programs;
      • rental agreements;
      • club memberships;
      • or any other documents that prove you met your residency obligation.

    Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned to you.


    Both bank statements and CRA Notice of Assessments are listed above as valid documentation IRCC accepts as proof of residency.


    We hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to post them here.


    Sincerely,


    Your Settlement.Org Team
    5/10/2024
    Topic:
    Income Tax

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for reaching out with your question, we appreciate the interest in this information.

    The CRA has a guide for newcomers on filing their first tax return. This guide is for first time tax filers in Canada. It will help you determine if you are a resident for tax purposes, which is not the same as residency for immigration purposes.

    If you are looking for support with your tax return, you can get help with your tax return from an accountant, a free tax clinic, or a community agency. You may also find instructions on how to prepare your for your tax return here on the CRA website.

    We hope this information is helpful. Please follow up with us if you have any further questions.

    Sincerely,

    Your Settlement.Org team
    5/10/2024
    Topic:
    Hello

    Moderator
    Moderator
    Hi there,

    Thank you for sharing your question with us, you may want to contact TESL Ontario and since you're in Toronto, TESL Toronto to find out if they have information on the processes for starting an ESL school or classes in Toronto. They may have information on guidelines and funding streams such as LINC.

    You can find some helpful information in our Settlement.Org Starting a Business section. You may also find some additional information on some different areas you need to look at when starting a language school on some other useful websites.

    You may also want to contact the nearest Small Business Enterprise Centre for some help with your business plan and some additional information on the steps you can take.

    We wish you all the best on this new endeavour, please follow up with us if you have any further questions.

    Sincerely,

    Your Settlement.Org team