Settlement Services in the Bow Valley

About Settlement Services In The Bow Valley

We provide free and confidential services for Permanent Residents of Canada (PR), including refugees and Ukrainians (CUAET) living in the Bow Valley (Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, and Kananaskis).

Who is a Permanent Resident of Canada (PR)?

  • A Permanent Resident of Canada (PR) is someone who has immigrated to Canada and has received permanent resident status from the Government of Canada
  • Permanent residents are not citizens of Canada, but are citizens of other countries
  • A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker, is not a Permanent Resident of Canada.

We also support people who are in the final stages of becoming Permanent Residents. This means we can help anyone who has applied for Permanent Residency and has provided their passport or medical examination to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Settlement Services is funded by IRCC and is a program through the Town of Banff, in partnership with the Town of Canmore, and local Bow Valley schools. 

May 2022 Update – Ukrainian arrivals: Due to special circumstances, we are extending our services to support displaced people from Ukraine who have arrived through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). 

Upcoming Events

Drop-In Settlement Support in Canmore
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians.
Meet with a Settlement Support Worker without making an appointment.
Mondays: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-2 p.m.
At FCSS in Canmore Civic Centre

  • Support and guidance
  • Help with documents or forms
  • Connections to local agencies for help with language learning, employment and more.

For more information, Email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca or call: 403.762.1144

Drop-In Settlement Support in Banff
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians.
Meet with a Settlement Support Worker without making an appointment.
Wednesdays: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1–2 p.m.
At Banff Town Hall

  • Support and guidance
  • Help with documents or forms
  • Connections to local agencies for help with language learning, employment and more.

For more information, Email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca or call: 403.762.1144

How Banks and Money Work in Canada for Ukrainians
Tuesdays, June 18 and July 9, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Online
Part 1:  

  • Canadian banking basics
  • Debit vs. credit cards
  • E-transfers and void checks
  • Budgeting tips to save money
  • Основи канадської банківської системи
  • Дебетові та кредитні картки
  • Електронні перекази та void-чеки
  • Поради щодо складання бюджету для заощадження грошей

Part 2: 

  • Credit scores and building strong credit
  • Scam protection
  • Financial questions and answers
  • Кредитні рейтинги та побудова сильного кредиту
  • Захист від шахрайства
  • Фінансові питання та відповіді

Online registration: surveymonkey.com/r/UKfinancial Email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca Phone: 403. 762.1144

How to Renew your PR card
Wednesdays July 24: 5:00pm - 6:00pm Zoom Online, July 24 or October 23, Banff Town Hall or Zoom Online, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, August 28 or November 27, Zoom Online, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm, September 25 or December 18, Canmore Civic Centre or Zoom Online, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

  • Why you need a PR Card
  • When and how to renew your PR Card
  • Online and paper application
  • Tips for successful application
  • Answers to your questions

Register online, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRcard2024  , email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403-762-1144

Canadian Citizenship session
Monday, July 8: 3:00pm - 4:15pm Zoom Online, Mondays, August 12, October 7 or December 2 -Online, 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm, September 9 or November 4-Online, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Are you planning to apply for Canadian Citizenship? Learn about: -Eligibility criteria and documents you need to apply -Changes to the application process -Tips to make your application successful, including how to prepare for the Citizenship Test -Answers to your questions
Register online, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Citizenship2024 , email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403.762.1144

Ways to Save Money in the Bow Valley
Wednesday, July 17 5:00pm-6:00pm Zoom Online, Wednesday, September 18, Online, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm,           Wednesday, November 20, Online, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Learn about:

  • Free and low-cost programs and services

  • How to get discounts with Banff Access and Canmore Affordable Services Programs

  • How to save money on food, clothing, transportation, and family activities

Register online, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SaveBV2024  , email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403-762-1144

Yoga Class for Ukrainians
Sundays, 9am-10am, June 9, 16, 23, July 7, 14, 21, 28 at Catharine Robb Whyte Building

Drop-in. No registration required. For Ukrainians age 12 and older. No experience needed. Certified Ukrainian Yoga instructor and Yoga mat provided.

Try Biking on Trails
Monday, June 17, July 15, Aug 12, or Sep 16, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm at Canmore Nordic Centre

FREE introduction to Mountain Biking.
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET)

  • Minimum age is 18
  • Must know how to ride a bike
  • Bike, helmet, and instruction provided
  • Transportation provided

Registration online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TryBiking2024, email: community.connections@banff.ca, call: 403.497.4471

Try Disc Golf for Adults
Monday, June 24 or July 22, 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM, at Canmore Nordic Centre

A fun and safe introduction to Disc Golf.
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET)

  • Minimum age is 18
  • Must know how to ride a bike
  • Bike, helmet, and instruction provided
  • Transportation provided

Registration online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/discgolfadults, email: community.connections@banff.ca, call: 403.497.4471

For Individuals Settling In Canada

We support all Permanent Residents of Canada (PR) including refugees. We’re here to help you live your best life in Canada and can help you with questions about free local resources, English classes, housing, taxes, citizenship, family, school, and more. 

No matter how long you’ve lived here, you can join our free fun activities, meet new people, and learn about the community.  

Permanent Resident Checklist

Connect with Settlement Services today and learn more about how to live your best life in the Bow Valley!

  1. FOLLOW us on Facebook: facebook.com/SSBV.CCBV
  2. SUBSCRIBE to our monthly newsletter
  3. SIGN UP for one of our free upcoming activities like our monthly Orientation sessions. See our calendar for event details and information about how you can join.
  4. MEET with us. You can request an appointment with our friendly team

Ask questions about living in Canada as a Permanent Resident 
Meet with one of our Settlement Workers:
Call us: 403.762.1144 
Email us: settlement.programmer@banff.ca

Ask questions about schooling in Canada (grades K-12)
Meet with our Settlement Worker In Schools (SWIS)
Call us: 403.431.3557
Email us: swis@banff.ca

Community Connections

Are you new to the Bow Valley area (Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise or Kananaskis)? Community Connections is here for you!

Join one of our many “Try-It” activities to meet other PRs and try a Canadian sport like mountain biking, disc golf, hiking, downhill or cross-country skiing, skating, curling and more!

We also offer walking tours to important community locations like recreation centres, the post-office, health clinics, libraries, and municipal offices.                                                                                                                           

Get matched with a Volunteer Connector or Connector Family who will help you get to know the community better.

 WATCH our Connect to Community video series on YouTube 

Foreign Worker Support

This free and local service provides support to foreign workers in the Bow Valley including:

  • Working Holiday visa
  • Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) 
  • International Experience Canada (IEC)

Learn more about Foreign Worker Support. 

Resources & Downloads

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