Services Offered by Le Relais

1. What is Le Relais Francophone?

Le Relais Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique offers free and confidential settlement, integration and employment services to French-speaking immigrants settling in British Columbia.

Discover our free settlement services for permanent residents, temporary residents (temporary workers and international students), refugees and foreign-born Canadian citizens (naturalized within the last 10 years).

In addition to offering individual support in the form of private consultations, Le Relais Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique organizes several activities and events every month, including:  

• Informational Sessions: Understanding taxes in Canada, how to find housing, accessing Canadian citizenship, understanding Canada's healthcare system, and how the school system works in British Columbia.
• Employment Workshops: Tips for writing a CV, help with cover letters, how to develop your professional network, discover career reorientation options, etc.
• Social activities to help you meet other members of the francophone community: Women's support group, friendly soccer match, welcome evening, etc.

2. What is a "Settlement Agent"?

Le Relais Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique's Settlement Agents are skilled professionals specially trained to assist newcomers in settling and establishing themselves in Canada. Whether you are already an immigrant or still in your country of origin, our settlement agents are here to welcome you at the airport, help you enroll your children in school, facilitate your integration into Canada, and provide information in French and other languages.

As an invaluable resource, our settlement agents can:

• Inform you about all aspects of settlement in Western Canada.
• Support you in your job search.
• Connect you with employers actively seeking French-speaking or bilingual candidates.
• Assist you with various administrative procedures, such as obtaining health insurance, a social insurance number, a driver's license, and more.
• Provide guidance on what you need to know and do to settle effectively in Canada.
• Assess your specific needs and refer you to relevant French-speaking organizations.
• Connect you with members of your community who can offer additional support and guidance.

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3. What Services Do You Offer?

We offer a range of settlement, integration, and employment assistance services to individuals with Canadian immigration status and citizens who have been naturalized within the last 10 years. Le Relais Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique's settlement agents are available to support and accompany you in your development journey in British Columbia.

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Settlement Services

• Settlement Assistance
• House hunting
• Obtaining a driver's license and car insurance
• Obtaining a social insurance number
• Various administrative procedures
• Information on everyday life (banking services, transportation, civic life, etc.)
• Information sessions and workshops
• Help with tax returns

Social Integration

• Group social activities to meet new people and make friends
• Connecting with members of your community
• Discovering the history of First Nations, understanding their historical and current challenges, and learning how to participate in national reconciliation (Aboriginal Connections) actively
• Engaging in a journey focused on inclusion and the fight against all forms of discrimination (Inclusive Connections)

Employment Assistance

• Adapting to the Canadian job market
• Proofreading CVs
• Preparing for interviews
• Networking opportunities
• Employer networking events
• Workshops and job fairs providing bilingual job information

Note : Relais Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique cannot provide recommendations on immigration procedures or specific advice regarding visas and travel documents for individual cases.

Immigrating to Canada

1. Can you help me immigrate to Canada?

No. Unfortunately, Le Relais Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique is not authorized to advise on the possibilities and procedures for immigrating to Canada.

To find out how to immigrate to Canada:

• Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, where you'll find all available information on immigration programs and procedures.  
• Use the Coming to Canada tool to determine which immigration programs you qualify for.
• Consider hiring a private immigration consultant to represent you in your dealings with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. These professionals are authorized to advise and support you in your immigration application.

You can also consider several options for settling in British Columbia:    Application for Permanent Residence :

An application for permanent residence, which you can submit :

• Either at the federal level, by creating a profile in the Express Entry pool (which requires some preliminary steps, such as passing one or more language exams and having your diplomas evaluated: http://www.cic.gc.ca/francais/immigrer/qualifie/index.asp).
• Applying at the provincial level through British Columbia's Provincial Nomination Program (PNP).
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Or :

Application for a Temporary Work Permit. It could be:

• Youth Mobility program if you are under the age of 35.
• Applying for a closed work permit that binds you to a specific employer.
• The Francophone Mobility program, which came into effect in June 2016.

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2. I've just arrived in Canada and don't have a network of contacts. What should I do?

Here are some tips for meeting new people:

• Check out our events calendar and participate in our information events and workshops. It's an excellent opportunity to learn more about life in Canada and meet other newcomers.  

• Take advantage of our annual fall event, Welcome Day, which celebrates the diversity of British Columbia's francophone community. It's a fantastic opportunity to have fun and make new friends!

• Engage in volunteer work. It's an excellent way to gain Canadian work experience, obtain references, contribute to your community, and build a network.  

• We are always looking for volunteers to assist with administrative projects or events. Please get in touch with us if you're interested.
• Visit Volunteer.ca to search for volunteer opportunities in your community.

• Utilize social networks. There are welcoming Facebook communities where you can ask questions about daily life and participate in group activities.
• Socialize in your community: visit places of worship, parks, playgrounds and community or civic associations. It's a great way to meet people and get to know your community.  

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3. Is living in French in British Columbia possible?

Although French is one of Canada's two official languages, British Columbia is primarily an English-speaking province. Most services, businesses, and infrastructure (including public transportation and urban signage) mainly use English as the language of communication.

English is prevalent in British Columbia, and it is important to be prepared to speak and understand the language for daily activities such as shopping, public transportation, and job interviews. As a permanent resident, you may have access to free English courses (please get in touch with us to learn more).

However, it is estimated that there are approximately 300,000 francophones and francophiles in British Columbia, which means there are opportunities to meet French-speaking individuals. Additionally, numerous organizations and associations actively support the francophone community and work to promote the French language and culture throughout the province.  

Public Services

• Provincial public services, which fall under the authority of the province of British Columbia (such as driver's licenses, health insurance, hospitals, etc.), are predominantly offered in English only. However, you may request services in French, and efforts may be made to accommodate your request.
• Federal public services (such as the Revenue Agency, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Canada Post, etc.) should be able to provide services in French. If French services are not readily available, don't hesitate to ask for them!

Francophone Organizations

• A wide range of community organizations and associations are actively working to promote the French language and culture throughout the province. For more information, you can contact the British Columbia Federation of Francophones.

Education

• There are French-language schools and immersion programs in many cities and regions of British Columbia. For more information, you can consult the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique.
• Collège Éducacentre offers college-level training in French.
• Simon Fraser University (SFU) offers several university programs in French through its Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs.

Health Care

• RésoSanté maintains a directory of over 1,000 French-speaking health professionals practicing throughout the province.
• The Provincial Health Authority's Francophone Services (PHSA) is dedicated to helping francophones understand BC's healthcare system and ensure access to appropriate healthcare services.

Francophone Professionals

• The British Columbia Federation of Francophones publishes an annual directory of francophone and francophile professionals and services in the province.
• The Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique supports entrepreneurs and can provide guidance if you are interested in self-employment.
• The Vancouver Francophone Chamber of Commerce brings together francophone businesses and entrepreneurs in the Greater Vancouver area.

4. How do I find housing in British Columbia?

To find housing in British Columbia, visit our Practical Information page and navigate the Housing section. If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our Le Relais Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique agents.

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5. How do I exchange/obtain my driver's license in British Columbia?

Suppose you are seeking information on exchanging or obtaining a driver's license in British Columbia. In that case, refer to our Practical Information page and the Transportation section.

6. What do I need to know about medical care?

In British Columbia, it is mandatory to have medical insurance, known as the Medical Services Plan (MSP). You can also download the MSP brochure explained in French from PHSA (Provincial Health Services Authority). The MSP covers certain medical expenses. To learn more about health insurance in British Columbia, you can visit our Practical Information page and explore the Health section.

7. What is the cost of living in British Columbia?

The cost of living in Canada and British Columbia can vary depending on the standards in your country of origin. To estimate the cost of living based on your family situation, income, and the region where you reside, you can use Welcome BC's online tool called the "Cost of Living Calculator." Click here to access the Cost of Living Calculator.

However, it is generally acknowledged that the cost of living in Vancouver is high, particularly in terms of housing expenses. For more detailed information, visit our Practical Information page, Housing section.

It's important to note that British Columbia is one of the provinces in Canada where car insurance costs are generally higher. Please refer to our Practical Information page and explore the Transportation section for further information.