New to Canada? Start here.
PCBO volunteers help newcomers settle in Hamilton, Mississauga, Niagara Falls and Guelph, in English, Urdu and Punjabi.
- English
- اردو
- پنجابی
Your first point of contact
PCBO’s Settlement & Integration Services committee has a regional head in each area. Message PCBO on WhatsApp or send the form below, and mention your city.
Your first weeks
Get your Social Insurance Number
You need a SIN to work in Canada and to use government programs.
Apply for a SINcanada.ca
Apply for OHIP
Ontario’s health coverage has no waiting period. If you’re eligible, you can apply as soon as you arrive.
Apply for OHIP and a health cardontario.ca
Open a bank account
You can open one without a job or money to deposit, as long as you have the right ID.
Opening a bank accountcanada.ca
Drive in Ontario
Pakistan has no licence exchange agreement with Ontario, so you take Ontario’s tests. Ontario explains how to get credit for your driving experience abroad.
Out-of-province and foreign licencesontario.caDriving schools & instructors in the directory (16)
Find free settlement services
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada lists free, government-funded services near you. Search by postal code, language and the kind of help you need.
Find free newcomer services near youircc.canada.ca
From Pakistan
Consulate General of Pakistan, Toronto
Handles NADRA cards, including NICOP, and passports. NICOP applicants have to visit in person for photos and fingerprints. The Consulate also offers attestation, police character certificates and driving licence verification.
NADRA and NICOPConsular servicespakconsulate.ca
Sending money and goods home
Money transfer and cargo businesses listed in the PCBO directory.
Newcomer organizations in Hamilton
Immigrants Working Centre (IWC)
Immigrants Working Centre has supported newcomers in Hamilton since 1988, with free settlement, employment, English-language and community programs in more than 16 languages from four Hamilton locations.
iwchamilton.caA PCBO partner. Checked September 28, 2026.
Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC)
The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council was established in 2009 as one of Canada’s first local immigration partnerships. It is housed in the City of Hamilton’s Economic Development Division and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
hamiltonimmigration.caA PCBO partner. Checked September 28, 2026.
Outside Hamilton, search IRCC’s list of free newcomer services by postal code.
Businesses newcomers ask for
Listed in the PCBO business directory, with the number of businesses in each.
Useful numbers
- 911
- Emergency Police, fire or ambulance.
- 211
- 211 Ontario Social services, programs and community supports. Call or text.
- 811
- Health811 Health advice from a registered nurse.
- 905-532-0042
- Consulate General of Pakistan, Toronto NICOP, passports and other consular services.
Questions
- Which languages can PCBO volunteers help in?
- English, Urdu and Punjabi.
- Where does PCBO help?
- Its settlement committee has a regional head in Hamilton, Mississauga, Niagara Falls and Guelph, and it works with agencies that serve newcomers across the GTA, Peel, Greater Hamilton and Southern Ontario.
- Is PCBO a government settlement agency?
- No. PCBO is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit community organization. For government-funded services such as English classes and employment programs, contact an agency like IWC, or search IRCC’s list of free services.
Ask a volunteer
Write in English, Urdu or Punjabi. A PCBO volunteer will reply by email, usually within a few days.
Official links checked . If something has changed, tell us at info@pcbo.ca.
