Information and Orientation2023-03-16T08:56:31-04:00

Information and Orientation

Welcome to Quebec and welcome to CANA!

You just moved to the province of Quebec? You feel a bit lost?  You ask questions but get conflicting information, so you just don’t know who to turn to for guidance and support anymore?

Whether you are alone or with your family, our team is here to listen to you, to guide you and accompany you throughout your settlement and integration process in Quebec.

Personal guidance services, in-Person at CANA, or remotely from anywhere in Quebec!

CANA offers several immigration guidance services, free of charge, to inform and support newcomers.

Getting in touch with one of our immigration counsellors will help you develop a relationship of trust for the following services:

  • Customized referrals to suit your needs
  • Settlement needs assessment
  • Referral to Newcomers Integration agents from the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI)
  • Changing address
  • Housing allowance application
  • Applying for social assistance
  • Applying for subsidized housing
  • Interpreter for service providers
    (such as Hydro-Québec)

Services for your Immigration Process (in French, English, Spanish, Levantine Arabic and Polish)

Our team accompanies asylum seekers, accepted refugees, international students, temporary workers and permanent residents through various administrative processes to them help fill out forms that apply to their needs and immigration status.

  • Application for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
  • Application for Permanent Residence
  • Renewal of Permanent Residence Card
  • Application for Canadian Citizenship
  • Sponsorship process information
  • Extension of International Student Permit
  • Modification of Student Permit
  • Transmission of information on Post-Graduate Work Permit
  • Modification of Quebec Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) for changing program or institutions of study
  • Status verification and application to Canada Child Benefit and Quebec Family Allowance
  • Registration to the Régime de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
  • Registration to the Quebec public drug insurance plan.
  • Application or support to neighbourhood newcomers for their first work permit renewal
  • Application for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Extension of stay for temporary workers
  • Application for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
  • Application for Permanent Residence
  • Renewal of Permanent Residence Card
  • Application for Canadian Citizenship
  • Sponsorship process information
  • Extension of International Student Permit
  • Modification of Student Permit
  • Transmission of information on Post-Graduate Work Permit
  • Modification of Quebec Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) for changing program or institutions of study
  • Status verification and application to Canada Child Benefit and Quebec Family Allowance
  • Registration to the Régime de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
  • Registration to the Quebec public drug insurance plan.
  • Application or support to neighbourhood newcomers for their first work permit renewal
  • Application for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Extension of stay for temporary workers

Preparation for the Canadian Citizenship Exam

For those who applied for citizenship, the exam preparation workshops cover a variety of themes featured on the test.

By appointment, our team can also help you get familiar with the exam technology before the online citizenship test.

How it works: One 90-minute workshop per week
Duration: 5 weeks
Price: $15
Material included

Commissioner for Oaths

Our commissioners for oaths also offer free document authentication.

  • Accommodation Certificate
  • Declaration of Common-Law Union
  • Letter of Invitation
  • Proof of Residence
  • Letter of Consent

Referrals to Other Community Organizations and Institutions

CANA has developed an extensive network of partners and will refer you to other public and community resources in health, immigration, social services, education, employment, housing, income, etc.

Personalized accompaniment according to your needs. Our team speaks French, English and Spanish. Appointments in person or online.

CANA

Settling and Integrating into Quebec Society

CANA organizes information sessions on settlement and integration issues in Quebec (health care, housing, employment, education, legal rights, etc.).

CANA also organizes a wide range of activities, including intercultural coffee-clubs, citizen bridging and pairing programs, home cooking from around the world, cultural outings and youth activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CANA charge for its services?2021-11-18T10:09:56-05:00

No. Our services are free. The only fees that may apply are those required by immigration for submitting applications.

What is an “Asylum Seeker”?2021-11-18T10:10:52-05:00

An Asylum Seeker is someone who has claimed refugee status in Canada, and who is waiting for a decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

What is a “Protected Person”?2021-11-18T10:14:18-05:00

Someone who has been recognized as a Convention refugee or a person in similar circumstances by a Canadian visa officer abroad; someone who has been recognized by the Immigration and Refugee Board as a refugee or a person in need of protection in Canada; or someone who has received a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (in most cases).

What is family allowance, who is eligible, and how do I receive it?2021-11-24T10:07:39-05:00

The term ‘family allowance’ refers to two types of financial support provided by both levels of government for eligible families with one or more dependent children under the age of 18. To be eligible, at least one parent must reside in Quebec and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or recognized as a protected person. Asylum-seeking parents are not eligible, even for a child who is born in Quebec.  The Quebec family allowance is paid monthly or quarterly by Retraite Québec, and the Canada Child Tax Benefit is paid monthly by the Canada Revenue Agency. The amount of the allowance is calculated on the basis of the number of dependent children, family income and marital status.

I have received the notice of decision granting me protected person status. What should I do next?2021-11-18T10:40:21-05:00

The first step is to fill out the form to obtain the “Certificat de Sélection du Québec” (CSQ) for you and the family members listed on the Notice of Decision. Once you have received your CSQ, you can apply for health insurance from the Régie de l’Assurance-Maladie du Québec. We recommend that you quickly fill both of these applications, since the Interim Federal Health Program (IFH) medical coverage (brown paper) expires 90 days after the notice of decision. In addition, having a protected person status entitles you to apply for permanent residence in Canada as a refugee, for yourself and your immediate family members here or abroad. 

Do I need the CSQ to apply for permanent residence?2021-11-18T10:17:24-05:00

If you have a Protected Person status, you do not need to wait for a CSQ before submitting your application for permanent residence. However, the CSQ is required or those with a status of international students and temporary workers.

Do I need to get my education and qualifications recognized?2021-11-18T10:18:21-05:00

It is not always relevant or useful to obtain recognition for studies and diplomas completed outside Quebec. In short, this process is useful if you wish to practice a regulated profession or trade in Quebec, or if you wish to undertake studies related to your field of studies outside Quebec. Depending on your situation, there are several ways to get recognition for your studies. We recommend that you make sure you really need to get your studies recognized before incurring any costs. Several newcomer service organizations specialize in employment skills.

When applying for Canadian citizenship, am I required to attach a proof of language? What is a Language Proof?2021-11-18T10:19:40-05:00

A Language Proof is used to confirm that you have reached a sufficient level of English or French. You must submit a Language Proof if you are 18 to 54 years old at the time of sending your application, even if your first language is English or French. 

Several documents are accepted:

  • A diploma, certificate or transcript from a program of study proving that you have studied in English or French.
  • Results of a third-party assessment test. More details on assessment tests.

Report cards from a government-funded linguistic program where you achieved 4 (CLB/NCLC) or higher. In Quebec, this program is called the Francization Program of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).

My Asylum Seeker document (brown paper) expires soon or has already expired. Does this impact my immigration status in Canada; and do I need to renew it?2021-11-18T10:41:26-05:00

The expiry date on the brown paper does not impact your immigration status or your asylum seeker’s medical coverage IFH (Interim Federal Health Program). However, it can and should be renewed in the city of Montreal:  

Montreal Innovation Hub
Guy-Favreau Complex, Suite 10
200 René-Lévesque Blvd West
Montreal, Quebec  H2Z 1X4

1025 St-Jacques Street
Montreal, Quebec H3C 1G8

What is the processing time once an application is sent to Immigration?2021-11-18T10:23:07-05:00

It may vary depending on your type of request as well as the time of year. To check processing time, CANA invites you to follow this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html or contact us (see Contact section).

What does Immigration Canada charge for processing Citizenship and Permanent Residence applications and for renewing a Permanent Residence Card?2021-11-18T10:45:27-05:00
  • Canadian Citizenship application fees are $630 per adult and $100 per child
  • Permanent Residence application fees are $550 per adult and $150 per child
  • Permanent Residence renewal fees are $50 per adult or child

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 514-382-0735 or infocana@cana-monteral.org.

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