
Welcome to Canada, Kapamilya!
With this kit, we hope to keep you company as you establish new life in Canada. You will find basic, useful information about government services, immigration, housing, employment leads, education opportunities and much more! We hope this information will help you in getting settled. Tulad ng isang tunay na kapamilya, nasa tabi mo lang kami.
Are you new to Canada? We are giving away freebies!


Let’s go!
With this kit, we hope to keep you company as you establish new life in Canada. You will find basic, useful information about government services, immigration, housing, employment leads, education opportunities and much more! We hope this information will help you in getting settled. Tulad ng isang tunay na kapamilya, nasa tabi mo lang kami.
Are you new to Canada? We are giving away freebies!
*Available for newcomer residents in Canada only
Population and Size
Canada’s land area is 33 times the size of the Philippines but the Philippine population is 3x the number of Canada’s population. Two percent of Canadian population are residents of Filipino descent. Filipinos are the 4th largest visible minority group in Canada. [2]

Provinces and Territories
The difference between a province and a territory is governance. Territories are grouped together and ruled by the federal government. The provinces exercise constitutional powers in their area of jurisdiction. [3]
For more information visit: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/reference/province.

Provinces
Alberta (AB)
British Columbia (BC)
Manitoba (MB)
New Brunswick (NB)
Newfoundlang and Labrador (NL)
Nova Scotia (NS)
Ontario (ON)
Prince Edward Island (PE)
Quebec (QC)
Saskatchewan (SK)
Territories
Northwest Territories (NL)
Nunavut (NT)
Yukon (YT)
Time Zones in Canada
When you’re asked, “Anong oras na sa Canada?” Take note of where you are because it’s the second largest country in the world. It uses six primary time zones to cover the whole country. [4]

- PSTPacific Standard Time -15/16 hrs from MNL Time
- MSTMountain Standard Time -14/15 hrs from MNL Time
- CSTCentral Standard Time -13/14 hrs from MNL Time
- ESTEastern Standard Time -12/13 hrs from MNL Time
- ASTAtlantic Standard Time -12/13 hrs from MNL Time
- NSTNewfoundland Standard Time -10.5/11.5 hrs from MNL Time
How’s the Weather?
Yes, Canada is really cold! Because Canada covers a wide land mass in northern hemisphere, it also has a wide range of climate conditions. Unlike the Philippines which only has two seasons, Canada has four: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. The temperature and weather vary in each season depending on where you are in the country. [5]




Banking
Ang mga bangko sa Canada ay nag-aalok ng mga banking products at services na maaring makatulong sa inyong pagsimula ng bagong buhay dito sa Canada.
Isa sa mga malalaking bangko sa Canada ay ang Bank of Montreal (BMO) kung saan, ang mga bagong dating na tulad mo ay maaring maka-earn ng up to $400 sa welcome bonus* at walang monthly fees for one year. Maliban diyan, maaari kang magpadala ng pera sa Pilipinas na walang Transfer fees for one year* at libreng safety deposit box for one year.
Ang BMO NewStart Program ay isa sa mga banking products and services na available sa mga bagong dating sa Canada, kung saan matutulungan ka na magkaroon ng access sa credit kahit na walang credit history, savings account, safety deposit boxes, mortgages, investments at pagpadala ng pera overseas.
*Find out more on: https://www.bmo.com/main/personal/newcomers-to-canada/
Canadian Holidays. Walang Pasok!
Each province has its own provincial holidays. Here are the most commonly observed holidays throughout Canada. [6]
- Victoria Day
- Remembrance Day
- Canada Day
- Boxing Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Victoria Day
- (MAY)
The Monday before May 25, observed as a national holiday to commemorate the birthday of Queen Victoria
- Remembrance Day
- (NOV 11)
This Holiday has been observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to remember armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.
- Canada Day
- (JUL 1)
Canada Day, observed on July 1st, is a national holiday marking the anniversary of Confederation in 1867, when British North America Act came into effect. Nowadays it’s also a big holiday for newcomers and immigrants para ipagdiwang ang bagong buhay dito sa Canada!
- Boxing Day
- (DEC 26)
A holiday for many Canadians on December 26. It gives people the chance to take part in the post-Christmas sales or watch ice hockey games.
- Thanksgiving Day
- (OCT)
To be observed on the second Monday in October, it is celebrated for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed. Meron din nito sa US, pero hindi sila magkasabay.
Studying in Canada


Ito na ang sagot sa pangarap ng marami sa atin na makapag-aral abroad. Pwedeng pangarap mo ito for yourself, or maybe, for your children. Here are a few tips to get you started with this dream! You may also apply to study in Canada as an international student and work in Canada after you graduate!
To apply, visit this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html
Provincial and territorial governments administer and regulate the education systems in Canada. Hindi national government ang may hawak ng educational system. To learn more about the educational system in your province or territory, contact your education ministry.
You may also visit www.cmec.ca for the contact information of your respective education ministry. [7]
Canadian Universal Healthcare
Canadian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to apply for a public health insurance. Libre ang karamihan ng healthcare services. The Universal Healthcare System is paid for with taxes. Yun lang, bawat province at territory ay may kanya-kanyang insurance plan. Depending on your job benefits, pwede ka pang makakuha ng Extended Health Coverage, based on how much they are offering. To make things a bit easier, check out the tables below. [8]
Public Health CoverageProvided by the Government
- Doctor’s Consultatio
- Immunizations
- Laboratory Work
- Childbirth
- In-patient Prescription Drugs
- Urgent Care Procedures
Extended Health CoverageProvided by the Employer/Self
- Prescription Medications
- Dental Care
- Physiotherapy
- Ambulance Services
- Prescription Eyeglasses
- Therapeutic Massage
- Plastic Surgery
- Other non-medically or Non-urgent procedures

Driver’s License

You may secure your driver’s license from the provincial and territorial governments’ issuing offices. Though it is issued from the province or territory where you live, this allows you to drive anywhere in Canada. Your driver’s license is one of the most important ID cards. Kung may lisensya ka galing sa Pilipinas, pwede mo pa rin siyang gamtin pansamantala pagkarating ninyo. Driving laws are strictly enforced in Canada, and you must learn the policies and rules in your respective province or territory. Manigurado at alamin ang mga detalye mula sa inyong provincial or territorial government department. [9]
House Hunting?
Newcomers can go to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for information on housing, whether you’re planning to buy a house, to rent, or simply to secure temporary accommodations. CMHC also provides affordable housing programs across different provinces and territories in Canada. The CMHC is the federal government’s national housing agency.
Home ownership rates in Canada remain on of the highest in the world. Dream mo bang magkabahay? Kaya mo yan, Kapamilya! [10]
Visit this link for more information: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca
The Government System
Canada has a parliamentary system of government, and is a federation with 10 provincial governments below it. This means that powers and responsibilities are divided between the federal government and the 10 provincial governments. There are three levels of government: federal, provincial, and municipal, all elected by Canadian citizens. [11]
Learn more here: https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system.html

Federal Government
The highest form of government and is the national government of Canada. The federal government is centered in the Capital of Canada, Ottawa.

Provincial Government
Alberta (AB), British Columbia (BC), Manitoba (MB), New Brunswick (NB), Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Nova Scotia (NS), Ontario (ON), Prince Edward Island (PE), Saskatchewan (SK)

Municipal Government
Is the local government that provides facilities and infrastructure for local communities. These services are Police, Fire Protection, Water and Sewer Services, Recreation, and Local and Public Transportation.
Philippine Consulate
Malayo man, malapit pa rin sa puso ang Pilipinas! The Philippine Consulates in Canada are always at your serice. Know where they are for services such as passport renewal, travel documents, dual citizenships, overseas voting, civil registry and the like, and contact or visit the Philippine Consulate nearest you.
Sources
- 1. Canadian Immigrant https://canadianimmigrant.ca/immigrate/first-steps-in-canada-a-newcomer-checklist
- 2. Worldometer Elaboration of United Nations Data https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/philippines-population/
- World Bank https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.TOTL.K2?locations=PH
- Stat Can https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220622/dq220622d-eng.htm
- Stat Can https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-402-x/2011000/chap/geo/geo-eng.htm
- Stat Can https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/dai/smr08/2022/smr08_262
- 3. Stat Can https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/reference/goc
- 4. Greenwich Meantime https://greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/north-america/canada/time-zones/
- 5. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, The Wild Canadian Year https://www.cbc.ca/wildcanadianyear/m_blog/ten-strange-facts-about-canadas-climate
- 6. Government of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/employment-standards/holidays.html
- Canadian Labour https://canadianlabour.ca/labour-day-a-holiday-born-in-canada/
- Government of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/information-notice/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
- 7. Government of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html
- 8. Government of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/health-care/universal-system.html
- 9. Government of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/driving.html
- 10. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/professionals/industry-innovation-and-leadership/industry-expertise/affordable-housing/develop-affordable-housing/provincial-territorial-programs-programs
- 11. Government of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system.html