General settlement information

Whether you arrived recently or have been in Ontario for some time, this page brings together the most important settlement resources to help you navigate life in Ontario. From healthcare enrollment to driving rules to banking, this guide covers the essentials.

Official Ontario Resources

The Ontario government provides a dedicated page for Ukrainians arriving in Ontario with practical information on settlement, healthcare, education, and more:

• ontario.ca — Coming to Ontario from Ukraine — official province-wide guide
• settlement.org — comprehensive newcomer information portal covering housing, education, work, and community in Ontario
• ucc.ca — UCC national resource package for Ukrainian newcomers across Canada

Healthcare and OHIP

All newcomers with a valid immigration document (including CUAET work or study permits) are eligible to enroll in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). OHIP covers most medically necessary services including doctor visits, hospital care, and specialist referrals.

To enroll in OHIP, visit a ServiceOntario location with:

• Your valid work permit or other immigration document
• Proof of Ontario residency (e.g., a lease, utility bill, or bank statement showing your Ontario address)
• Your passport

There is a 3-month waiting period before OHIP coverage begins for most newcomers. During this time, you should obtain private health insurance to cover any medical needs. Some settlement agencies can help connect you with affordable interim coverage options.

Once enrolled, you will receive an OHIP card in the mail. Keep this card with you and present it at every medical appointment.

Orientation Programs

COSTI Immigrant Services

COSTI offers free orientation and settlement programs for newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions. Services include language classes, employment support, social programs, and community connections. COSTI has specific programming for Ukrainian newcomers and can connect you with Ukrainian-speaking staff and volunteers.

ArriveON App

The ArriveON app (developed by the Government of Ontario) provides a personalized newcomer checklist and connects you to local services based on your location and needs. It is available for free on iOS and Android and is available in Ukrainian. Download it from your device’s app store and search for “ArriveON.”

Shared Resource Library

The UCC-OPC maintains a shared Google Drive folder with settlement guides, government forms, translated documents, and community resources curated specifically for Ukrainian newcomers in Ontario. Ask your local UCC chapter or settlement contact for the current link, as access is managed to ensure resources stay current.

Banking

Opening a Canadian bank account as a newcomer is straightforward. Most major banks offer newcomer packages with reduced or no monthly fees for the first year. You will typically need your passport, your immigration document (work permit), and proof of address.

The Ukrainian Credit Union (UCU) is a community-based financial institution with deep roots in the Ukrainian Canadian community. UCU offers personal and business banking, mortgages, and investment products, and has staff who speak Ukrainian. UCU branches are located across Ontario. Visit ukrainiancu.com for branch locations and services.

Driving in Ontario

If you plan to drive in Ontario, there are important rules you should know. Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act applies to all drivers on Ontario roads.

School Zones

Speed limits in school zones are typically reduced to 40 km/h or less during school hours. Watch for signs and crossing guards. Fines for speeding in school zones are doubled. Always stop for crossing guards — this is mandatory by law.

Handheld Devices

It is illegal to use a handheld mobile device while driving in Ontario, even when stopped at a red light. This includes texting, calling, checking maps, or any other use of a phone. Fines start at $615 and can reach $3,000 for repeat offences. You can use a hands-free device (Bluetooth), but only while driving, not while stopped.

Impaired Driving

Ontario has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and cannabis for drivers under 21 and for those with a G1 or G2 licence. For fully licensed drivers, the legal limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood. Impaired driving charges carry severe penalties including immediate licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and possible criminal charges.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving includes anything that takes your attention off the road — eating, adjusting the radio, or talking to passengers. Ontario police actively enforce distracted driving laws. Keep your full attention on the road at all times.

Important Documents Checklist

Make sure you have obtained and safely stored the following documents as soon as possible after arriving in Ontario:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN) — required for working and filing taxes. Apply at Service Canada (free, in-person or online)
• OHIP card — apply at ServiceOntario once you have your immigration document and proof of address
• Bank account — open a Canadian bank account as soon as possible to receive wages, government benefits, and transfers
• Ontario driver’s licence — if you plan to drive, exchange your Ukrainian licence or start the graduated licence process at a DriveTest centre
• Tax filing — file a Canadian income tax return for each year you are in Canada, even if you had no income. This establishes your residency record and may qualify you for credits and benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credit

Community Partners

Beyond government programs, Ontario’s Ukrainian Canadian community has an extensive network of organizations providing peer support, cultural programming, legal clinics, language help, and community connections:

• Ukrainian Canadian Congress — Ontario Provincial Council (UCC-OPC) — advocacy, community events, and resource referrals
• CUIAS (Citizenship for Ukrainian Immigrants Assisting Society) — settlement and integration services for Ukrainians
• UkrTO Community — peer community for Ukrainians in the Greater Toronto Area
• Ukrainian churches — many Ukrainian Orthodox and Ukrainian Catholic parishes across Ontario offer community dinners, language classes, youth programs, and informal newcomer support
• Local settlement agencies — most cities have multicultural settlement organizations offering free services to newcomers with valid status

If you are unsure where to start, contact the UCC-OPC and we will connect you with the right resources for your city or region.