Health Care in Alberta
Legal residents of Alberta are eligible for public health insurance. To qualify for this position one must register with Alberta health care within three months of arrival.For information on health services, visit website- www.health.gov.ab.ca
For information on Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), visit web page: www.health.alberta.ca/contact
For questions on Alberta’s health system, email to- health.ahinform@gov.ab.ca
For information on the Health Insurance Plans, call 310-0000 toll free, dial 780-427-1432.
Hearing impaired callers, can reach the Alberta government by dialing: 1-800-232-7215 throughout province.
Helpline
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) has 24-hour support services relating to gambling or other drug problems.
Visit: www.albertahealthservices.ca
Jobs in Alberta
To work legally in Alberta, apply for the Social Insurance Number (SIN). It is 9-digit registration code that employees require to work in Canada.
For information or obtaining a SIN: www.servicecanada.gc.ca
Alternatively, Canadian Alberta Service Center (CASC) can be approached for seeking SIN number in writing.
Alberta Career Information Hotline: 1-800-661-3753
Credentials verification
The Alberta International Qualifications Assessment Service or The Canadian Centre for International Credentials provide you with required services: www.cicic.ca
Tradespersons need to be certified to practice trade in Alberta. For such a certification, reach out to Red Seal, a trade certification organization at: www.red-seal.ca
Note: Register with the appropriate regulatory organisations for your trades for the best results.
Finding Work in Alberta
The Alberta Career Hotline helps you get started with job search. Call 1-800-661-3753 for more information.
Alberta Human Resources and Employment service centres, located throughout the province, aid in search for work.
Look at website to locate an employment center near you: www.humanservices.alberta.ca.
You can request a free copy of their Immigrants guide to jobs from the Alberta Learning Information Service: www.alis.gov.ab.ca
Language ability
One needs to be fluent in either English or French. To register for language classes to improve language skills, The Alberta Learning Information Service , provides you with details www.alis.gov.ab.ca.
The ALIS also provides additional training and education in required fields of work.
In Lethbridge, the Southern Alberta Language Assessment Services (SALAS) can be of assistance and recommending to you services or courses: www.salasltd.ca
Finances in Alberta
Of primary importance is to open an account at a local bank or financial institution. The website of Alberta Treasury branch: www.atb.com.
Other popular banks in Alberta include:
- HSBC,
- Scotia Bank,
- Royal Bank of Canada (RBC),
- TD Canada Trust,
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).
For information on financial matters in Alberta and the rest of Canada, visit the website at www.cba.ca.
Canadian Money
The money is made of cents and dollars. There are 100 cents in 1 Canadian dollar.
1 dollar ($1.00) features the Canadian loon and a two dollar ($2.00) coin called the “Twoonie” , paper currency, are available as five dollars ($5.00), ten dollars ($10.00), fifty dollars ($50.00) and one hundred dollars ($100.00), etc.
To find out what the home currency conversion to Canadian currency, talk to a local bank, or visit exchange website: www.xe.com
Taking children to the province
Parents with children, under 18 years of age, may be eligible to receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit.
For information, check Canadian Revenue Agency website (www.cra-arc.gc.ca)
Education in Alberta
Children under 16 must be registered for school. Most children stay in school till 18 years of age.
In Alberta, you can choose between public funded or Charter schools. However, Charter schools offer a wider range of courses. French Public schools are also available.
The Canadian public school system has:
- Elementary,
- Secondary
- Post-Secondary
- College or university
- Some districts or charter schools may organize their grade levels differently, The academic year begins in September and runs through June for secondary students, April for college students. The students can observe their religious holidays. For complete information visit the website at: www.studyinalberta.ca/post-secondary
For adult learning, visit the website at eae.alberta.ca.
Driver’s Licence in Alberta
If you are planning on buying a car, you must have an official Alberta licence.
For complete information on driving licence visit: www.servicealberta.ca/Drivers_MotorVehicles
Note: Every vehicle and driver must have insurance.
Housing in Alberta
There are multiple housing options across Canada. It is advisable to hire a real estate agent to guide and provide knowledgeable advice on the best areas for your family.
The types of housing:
- Apartment buildings are large, multi-unit buildings and each inhabitant rents a unit.
- Studio or bachelor apartments are one room with a kitchen and bathroom.
- Larger apartments accommodate families as they have bedrooms with living spaces.
- A large multi-unit building is called a condo.
Suburbs provide safe dwelling, schools, shopping and healthcare, all within close proximity of the city.
Housing in the country can be even less expensive but far off from work.
Pets: If you are renting your home it is important that pets are legally allowed on the premises.
To find housing, search through classified ads in local newspapers or in real estate papers which are generally free.
What can you bring into Canada?
Canada has strict rules concerning
- food,
- alcohol,
- nicotine products,
- plants,
- animals, etc.