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Information for Moving to Winnipeg, ManitobaWelcome to Manitoba! Here is some information that may be of assistance to you during your first few days and weeks in Winnipeg.Accommodations If you do not have a place to stay when you arrive in Winnipeg, you can look at these web sites for "Bed and Breakfasts" or hotels that will suit your price range: www.manitobalodging.com or www.bedandbreakfast.mb.ca. The Manitoba government does not provide housing for newcomers. However, you can find free publications, such as the Home Renter's Guide, in many stores and banks. This booklet shows apartments for rent in Winnipeg. Their site is www.homebase.ca. At the Winnipeg Airport If no one is planning to meet you at the airport, you can take a taxi to your destination. A taxi costs about $15. (Cdn.) from the airport to downtown Winnipeg. Information about Winnipeg Currency Canadian paper money comes in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins come in 1? (One cent or penny), 5? (five cents or nickel), 10? (ten cents or dime), 25? (25 cents or quarter), $1 (one dollar or loonie), and $2 (two dollars or toonie). Taxes are added to prices in Manitoba - 7% provincial sales tax (PST) and 7% Goods and Service tax (GST). The price you see on items is not the final price you will pay. For example, if you buy a $10 item, the total cost will cost $11.40, because 70? PST and 70? GST is usually added to the price. Map of Winnipeg You can get a map at the Winnipeg airport, your hotel/ Bed and Breakfast or at many stores. Buses The regular fare for the bus in Winnipeg is $1.75 for adults, $1.45 for children, and free for children 4 years of age and under. You must pay exact fare on the bus. You can save money by buying bus tickets or a bus pass in advance. Look in the Winnipeg Yellow Pages phone book, under "Transit Guide and Telebus Directory" to find places where you can buy tickets or a pass, and information about bus schedules. Visit the Winnipeg Transit web site for more information at www.winnipegtransit.com. You can click on "Navigo" , where you can see and print a map for each new bus trip you take, plus the times when the bus passes by. Driver's License If possible, obtain an International Driver's License before you come to Canada. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing office will honour your license for three months. Then you must take a written driver's test and road test to obtain a Manitoba license. Without an International License, your driver's license may not be recognized. If you have never had a driver's license before coming to Manitoba, it will take nine months to obtain a license. Medical Concerns Once you arrive in Manitoba and become a permanent resident, you will be eligible to receive most medical and hospital services for free (excluding medications). However, you must apply for a Manitoba Health Registration Certificate (health card) so you can show it when you obtain medical services (see details below, under "Things to Do during Your First Few Days). If you or a family member get sick, and are not sure what to do, call Health Links at 788-8200. You can call 24 hours a day. A Register Nurse will answer your questions or tell you where to get services. You may have to leave a message, but someone will call you back. If a life threatening health emergency arises for you or a family member, go to the nearest hospital. In downtown Winnipeg, go to the Health Sciences Centre at 820 Sherbrook Street, 787-3167 or St. Boniface Hospital at 409 Tache Avenue, 237-2260. You may have to use an ambulance to get to the hospital. It is important to know that ambulance services are not free. It costs about $265. to travel by ambulance in Winnipeg. Settlement Information and Assistance Things to Do During Your First Few Days Please note: The International Centre can assist you with these tasks. a. Open a Bank Account It is not safe to carry large amounts of money (cash) with you. It is recommended that you open a bank or credit union account soon after you arrive in Winnipeg. Later, if you move to another part of the city, you can transfer your money to another branch. To open account, you must show your passport and landing documents for identification, but not a social insurance number. Look in the Yellow Pages of the phone book, under "Banks", "Credit Unions" or "Trust Companies" to find a bank or credit union near you. b. Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) A SIN card will allow you to apply for a job in Manitoba. You can get and submit an application at: Human Resource Development Canada, 391 York Avenue, Phone: (toll free) 1-800-206-7218, Web site: www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca. Your first SIN card is free. You will receive your card 4-6 weeks after you apply. Ask for a receipt or temporary card so you can apply for jobs while you wait for your card. c. Apply for a Manitoba Health Registration Certificate (health card) This card will allow you to get free medical and hospital services. Apply at: Manitoba Health, 300 Carlton Street, Phone 786-7101 Employment Assistance Services The Manitoba government does not provide jobs for newcomers. However, they fund these agencies to help you with your job search: |
