Diaspora North · Northern Ontario
Welcome.
Karibu. Bienvenue. Akwaaba.
Mabuhay · مرحبا · ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ · 欢迎 · Boozhoo
A welcoming, well-resourced community for newcomers and neighbours across the North.
Start here
Build your arrival plan.
Tell us where you're landing and what matters to you. We'll put the right guides in the right order, from your first week to your first year.
Tick each step as you finish it. We remember your plan on this device only.
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1Your first week
- Meet a free settlement worker One person who can help with everything below
- Find services in French Settlement, health and schools en français
- Understand your resettlement support The Resettlement Assistance Program, explained
- Get your SIN Your Social Insurance Number
- Apply for OHIP Your Ontario health card
- Open a bank account Banking basics for newcomers
- Get a phone and internet plan Low-cost plans in the North
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2Your first month
- Find a place to live Renting in Northern Ontario
- Find a family doctor Walk-ins and Health Care Connect
- Register your kids for school How registration works
- Apply for the Canada Child Benefit Monthly support for families
- Look for licensed childcare Waitlists and fee help
- Use free job-search help Employment Ontario near you
- Know your rights at work Pay, hours and safety in Ontario
- Find free legal help Clinics and legal aid
- Find food from home Multicultural and halal groceries
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3Your first season
- Get ready for winter Clothing, heating and driving
- Find free things to do in your city Parks, trails, library and more
- Settle into a smaller town What's different, and who to call
- Get language support for your kids ESL and ELD at school
- Find programs for your kids Youth programs in the North
- Find a mentor in your field Free newcomer mentorship
- Get your credentials recognised Licences and assessments in Ontario
- Look after your mental health Free and confidential support
- Plan your business Funding and help for newcomers
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4Your first year
- File your first tax return Free tax clinics, and why it unlocks benefits
- Build Canadian credit Budgeting and credit basics
- Get your Ontario driver's licence Step by step
- Volunteer and meet people Canadian experience, local friends
- Look at paths to permanent residence The Rural Community Immigration Pilot
Why Diaspora North
Four ways we help.
Settlement Resources
Plain-language guides for housing, healthcare, schools, banking, and the everyday details that don't make it into the official handbooks.
Browse resources →Local Life
Festivals, free things to do in your city, library passes, public swims, and the community gatherings that no one tells you about until you've been here for years.
Find what's free →Local Business Directory
Diaspora-owned and newcomer-friendly businesses across Northern Ontario — restaurants, services, shops, and trades.
Browse the directory →Community Stories
Profiles, guides, and news from across our communities. The best information comes from neighbours.
Read stories →For local businesses
Diaspora-owned? Newcomer-friendly? Get listed.
The directory is curated to help newcomers find businesses where they feel at home — restaurants serving foods from home, salons that know their hair, accountants who speak their language, and trades they can trust. Listings are free for diaspora-owned and newcomer-friendly businesses across Northern Ontario.
Get listed (free)What we look for
- Owned or operated in Northern Ontario
- Welcoming to newcomers (in spirit, language, or service)
- A working website or active social presence
- Real photos of the business, team, or product
From the blog
Recent stories & guides
October 27, 2026
Express Entry Changes Launching November 3, 2026, and IRCC's Relaunched Status Tracker
IRCC's Nov. 3, 2026 Express Entry points change, the relaunched status tracker, and Thunder Bay's Oct. 28 welcome day.
Read →October 27, 2026
Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Fall 2026 Update for Northern Ontario's Five Cities
Thunder Bay closed its 2026 RCIP intake on Oct. 15. What workers and graduates in all five Northern Ontario cities can do before 2027.
Read →April 27, 2026
From Mogadishu to Bay Street: Aisha's Thunder Bay
Aisha arrived from Mogadishu in February 2024. A year later, she runs a Somali kitchen on Bay Street and serves city councillors lamb sambusas on Tuesdays.
Read →