Canada is a very large country with people from many different ethnic backgrounds. There are 3 levels of government: Federal, Provincial and Municipal. Each level of government is responsible for providing different essential services.
The federal government is responsible for matters related to your Social Insurance Number (SIN); filing of income through Canada Revenue Agency (CRA); Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and many more.
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories, each with its own provincially elected officials. Services managed by the provincial government include Health Benefits, Education, Housing and Transportation.
Municipal governments are locally elected authorities for a city or town. They manage things like waste disposal, public transit, fire services, policing, community centres and libraries.
You need a 9-digit number known as a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in order to work in Canada and to access government programs and benefits. Your SIN is private and it is illegal for anyone else to use it. Click here to learn how to apply for one. As soon as you get your social insurance number, you can apply for government benefits. See Financial Aid for more information.
If you do not have a driver's licence, apply for a photo ID card in the province you live in. It is a government-issued photo identification to those who do not already have a driver's licence. It allows you to open a bank account and do other activities that require official identification easier.
Income Tax and CRA - You become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you establish significant residential ties in Canada. You usually establish these ties on the date you arrive in Canada. The deadline for filing personal income tax each year is April 30. There are community groups that assist newcomers to file tax returns for free. It is best to get help for your first return. Use the Free Tax Clinic link to find one in your community. You can go to the Finance section to learn more and also watch the videos for more information.