Read This Information First

(CIUSSSCentre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Ouest-de-l’île-de-Montréal, 2023; Cleveland, Hanley, Salamanca Cardona, et al., 2021; Gouvernement du Québec, 2023ag, 2023g; IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , 2023o; Jobin-Théberge & Bombardier, 2020b, 2021; SANA Trois-Rivières, 2023; TCRITable de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes , 2021; Trosseille et al., 2019) 

(ASFC, 2023; CISR, 2022g; Gouvernement du Québec, 2023r; IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , 2023p) 

You must declare all your children and other family members on all the forms you complete. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to reunite in Canada in the future. The number of children you declare will not affect your immigration process.

(Agence du revenu du Canada, 2023b; CISR, 2023; Collectif Bienvenue, 2023f; Conseil canadien pour les réfugiés, 2023b; Emploi et Développement social Canada, 2023b; Énergir, 2023; Gouvernement du Québec, 2023e; Hydro-Québec, 2023; IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , 2023j, 2023a; Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, 2021; Service québécois de changement d’adresse, 2022; Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, 2023a) 

If you move, it is extremely important to notify the following authorities of your change of address:

• Hydro-Québec :

• Énergir

• MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) :

• Other Québec ministries and organizations: How to send your new address to the government when you move

• Canada Revenue Agency: 

• Service Canada  :

• Other Canadian ministries and organizations: Change of address – Canada.ca

• Your financial institution (bank or credit union)     
• Your host organization or sponsorship group
• The PRAIDAProgramme régional d’accueil et d’intégration des demandeurs d’asile (English: Regional Program for the Settlement and Integration of Refugee Claimants) : 514-484-7878, extension 64500

Many government authorities communicate by email and sometimes by phone. It is important to notify them of a change of email and/or phone number to avoid any processes being suspended.

• Notify the same authorities as for changes of address. 
• Look into email forwarding options.

(Postes Canada, s. d.)

To keep getting mail from your old address at your new one, you can apply for mail forwarding with Canada Post (fee-based service):

This way, mail sent by mistake to your old address will be redirected to your new address.

(Éducaloi, 2023h, 2023e; Services juridiques de Pointe-Saint-Charles et Petite-Bourgogne, 2017) 

In Québec, personal information is kept confidential. This means that the people at the organizations you interact with cannot share any information you give them unless they have your permission to do so. 

For years, health professionals (for example, social workers, nurses and psychologists) and lawyers have had a legal duty of confidentiality.  This duty also applies to all employees of the health and social services network. In 2022, a new law came into effect to reinforce public organizations’ duty to keep your personal information confidential.

Specifically, this duty of confidentiality means that the people you interact with must not share your name, contact information or other personal information with the CBSACanada Border Services Agency , IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or IRBImmigration and Refugee Board of Canada unless they have your permission to do so. 

When you interact with professionals, counsellors or volunteers, you can remind them that your personal information can only be shared with your permission.

(Cleveland, Hanley, Salamanca Cardona, et al., 2021; Collectif Bienvenue, 2023b; Jobin-Théberge & Richard, 2020b; Kinbrace Community Society, 2019, 2023g; Services juridiques de Pointe-Saint-Charles et Petite-Bourgogne, 2017; Trosseille et al., 2019)

You may need legal advice to guide you through some of the steps you need to take, for example for your refugee claim, a marital separation, reuniting with your family members in Canada, etc.

(Commission des services juridiques, s. d.) 

You may be eligible for legal aid if you are receiving social assistance or have a low income. Legal aid gives you access to free or fee-based services from:

• A private lawyer or notary who takes legal aid cases whom you find on your own (most common scenario)

OR

• A lawyer from a legal aid office

Legal aid covers things like the cost of translating documents, including evidence.

Contact your nearest legal aid office to make an appointment.

The first appointment determines whether you are eligible for legal aid. You will need to provide proof of income. 

Many processes are not covered by legal aid, such as family reunification.

Lawyers can represent you at your hearing or when you appear in court. They can also help you go through complex procedures, such as for your refugee claim or bringing your family to Canada through certain programs.

Immigration consultants play a role similar to that of immigration lawyers: they can help you with complex procedures, for example reuniting with your family in Canada through certain programs or assisting you with your refugee claim.

The services of an immigration consultant are not covered by legal aid. There are also certain limits as to what an immigration consultant can do.

• Beware of scammers who pretend to be lawyers and disappear once they have been paid. Check that your lawyer or consultant has a right to practise by looking up their name, address, email and phone number in the directories mentioned above.
• Be wary if:
  • The lawyer does not have you sign a service contract or confidentiality agreement. The contract must also be signed by the lawyer. Do not sign documents you don’t understand or blank documents.
  • The lawyer asks to be paid in cash only, does not give you an invoice or asks for your banking information.
  • The lawyer asks for more money to offer a better service or threatens or blackmails you in any way.
  • The lawyer claims to have high-ranking contacts, guarantees that your application will be given priority and that you will be accepted as a refugee. 
  • The lawyer promises to find you housing and a job.
  • The lawyer encourages you to lie and use false documents in your claim.
  • The lawyer meets you in a public place.
  • The lawyer has contacted you via social networks.
• If someone who is not a lawyer or immigration consultant offers you help, it must be completely free of charge.

Whistleblowing against fake lawyers can be done in the language of your choice, and the process is confidential. What’s more, whistleblowing can be anonymous, and a counselor or another person can make the report for you. 

 Other advice concerning lawyers who are members of the Barreau du Québec:

• Some lawyers may try to charge you high fees for simple tasks such as applying for social assistance or changing your address. A number of community organizations can help you with this process free of charge. 
• Always be pay attention to the deadlines for your refugee claim and check the work done by your lawyer.  
• Ask for copies of all the documents submitted for your refugee claims. 
• Never give your original documents to your lawyer. Give them copies.

You can file a complaint if you have a bad experience with a lawyer or immigration consultant:

• For complaints concerning lawyers, visit:  How to file a complaint against a lawyer   

Complaints against real lawyers can be anonymous, and a counselor or another person can make the complaint for you. If in doubt, contact the Barreau du Québec at 514-954-3411. 

• For complaints concerning immigration consultants, visit:   Make a Complaint

Finding an immigration lawyer or consultant can be difficult and expensive. Community legal clinics provide access to low-cost legal advice and representation in court. These clinics can also refer you to a lawyer. 

Some clinics may be able to help you if your refugee claim has been refused or if you want bring your family to Canada.

(Centres de justice de proximité, 2023) 

Community justice centres are found in many regions of Québec. These centres offer legal information, support and guidance, particularly for couples who are separating.

(ASFC, 2022a; Cleveland, Hanley, Salamanca Cardona, et al., 2021; IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , 2023q, 2023ac; Kinbrace Community Society, 2023g) 

Beware of phone and email scams. Watch out for:

• Phone calls, including robocalls, claiming to represent the government and asking you for money. The CBSACanada Border Services Agency , IRBImmigration and Refugee Board of Canada and IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will never ask you for money over the phone. 
• Emails or text messages asking you to click on links. These links could have viruses. 
• Scammers telling you that you have won money or trips.

If in doubt, check with the OPCOffice de la protection du consommateur or someone you know and trust.

Be careful who you share your SINSocial insurance number or banking information with and make sure it is not a scam. Reliable institutions never ask for this information by email or text message.

You will generally need to share your SINSocial insurance number and banking information with your employer.

In Québec, offering bribes to people in positions of authority is not allowed. For example, never offer money to a police officer or immigration officer to bribe them. This will only make your situation worse. 

Don’t lie or withhold information from the government either. You risk being penalized for doing so.

(CISR, 2021c; CIUSSSCentre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, 2023; CIUSSSCentre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, 2020; Gouvernement du Québec, 2023af; IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , 2022d; Kinbrace Community Society, 2023h) 

You can receive some services in your first language if interpreters are available. Many community counsellors who work with newcomers speak multiple languages and can help you get interpreter services. 

In some situations, you can request assistance from an interpreter. Specifically:

• For your refugee claim hearing, the IRBImmigration and Refugee Board of Canada is required to provide you with an interpreter free of charge if you request one on a form to be sent at least 10 days before the hearing.
• If you are arrested or detained, the police must tell you the reasons you are being arrested or detained in a language you understand.
• If you are charged with a crime, you have the right to assistance from an interpreter free of charge if you do not understand the language of the trial.
• In other cases, you can ask for an interpreter, but organizations are generally not required to provide one.

If possible, let them know in advance that you would like an interpreter. 

During your first year in Québec, your sponsorship group or host organization will help you get access to an interpreter. It can be difficult to get access to interpreters.

If you have trouble speaking English or French, you can agree to have a relative, counsellor or lawyer contact some services (IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , the MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) , an educational institution, etc.) on your behalf.  

To have a representative recognized by:

• IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada : Use of a Representative – IRCC
• MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) : Get represented in your immigration procedures | Government of Québec

(Gouvernement du Québec, 2023ad; Justice Québec, 2021a) 

For many immigration procedures, you must provide certified translations of any documents not in English or French, as required, either by:

• A certified translator (sometimes mandatory)

• Someone you know (often possible and less expensive) who speaks French or English and the original language of the document. A sworn affidavit must be included. An affidavit is a sworn statement explaining that the person speaks both languages and has translated the document to the best of their ability. 

If you need to get an affidavit or copies of original documents sworn, this can be done with:

• A lawyer. To find a lawyer, see Access to a lawyer and other legal resources 
• A notary

• A commissioner for oaths

Find out about the type of translation and certification required for each situation. Ask your host organization or sponsorship group for help with this.

When sending important documents by mail, use registered mail (fee-based service). This lets you to keep track of your mail. To find out more: Registered Mail | Personal | Canada Post

There are post offices at some pharmacies and shopping centres.

(Collectif Bienvenue, 2023g; MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) , 2023; Paquet, Josée, 2015; Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, 2023c; Ville de Sherbrooke, 2023f) 

To keep your Québec driver’s licence valid, you will have to pay an annual fee on your birthday. Every four or eight years, your licence will be changed with a new and up-to-date photo.

(Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, 2022b) 

1. Visit the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQSociété de l’assurance automobile du Québec ) website to make an appointment and find out what is on the tests: Canadian or foreign driver’s licence – SAAQ
2. Bring the necessary documents: your foreign driver’s licence (translated into French or English, if needed), proof of residence and proof of permanent residency.
   
3. Pass the SAAQSociété de l’assurance automobile du Québec knowledge test at the appointment (available in five languages: French, English, Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin, or through an interpreter).
   
4. Make an appointment for the road test.
   
5. Pass the SAAQSociété de l’assurance automobile du Québec road test.
   
6. Pay the fees.

Ask your host organization or sponsorship group to help you with this process. Please note that no one can accompany you on the road test.

(Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, 2023b) 

If you have never had a driver’s licence or have less than a year of driving experience (including the first six months in Québec), you will need to go through the regular process to obtain one.

For more information about getting your first driver’s licence: Obtaining a driver’s licence

1. Take theoretical and practical courses at a driving school recognized by the SAAQSociété de l’assurance automobile du Québec : Finding a recognized driving school – SAAQ 
2. Pass the knowledge test at a driving school recognized by the SAAQSociété de l’assurance automobile du Québec .
3. Obtain your learner’s permit.
4. You must drive with an accompanying driver for at least 10 months after obtaining a learner’s permit.
5. After 10 months, pass the SAAQSociété de l’assurance automobile du Québec knowledge test and road test.

Ask your host organization or sponsorship group to help you with this process. Please note that no one can accompany you on the road test.

Also note that the processes are different to drive a motorcycle, bus, heavy vehicle, etc.

(Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, 2022a) 

If you are the victim of a road accident, regardless of your transportation method (driving, cycling, walking), you may be entitled to financial compensation. See In the event of a traffic accident – SAAQ.

For additional information and exercises on many aspects of this Carnets de route section, see chapter “Transportation”, pages 159 to 170, in the Canadian Orientation Abroad “Participant’s Workbook”.

You can also listen to the audio guide “O Canada – Conversations Dialogue” and download the application “O Canada”.