Diaspora North

Resources  ·  Get Settled

Free settlement services in Northern Ontario

You don't have to figure this out alone. Settlement workers are funded by the federal government to help newcomers with everything from filling out forms to going with you to ServiceOntario. They're free, confidential, and they speak many languages. Here's where to find one near you.

What is a settlement worker?

A settlement worker is a trained professional who helps newcomers navigate life in Canada. Their job is to make your first weeks and months easier. They can help you:

  • Fill out government forms (OHIP, SIN, Canada Child Benefit, citizenship)
  • Translate and interpret at appointments — banks, schools, doctors, lawyers
  • Find housing, find a doctor, register kids in school
  • Connect to language classes, employment counsellors, and food banks
  • Come with you to your first ServiceOntario, ServiceCanada, or hospital visit

It's all free. The federal Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pays for these services through Settlement Service Provider Organizations (SPOs).

Who can use settlement services?

Most IRCC-funded services are available to:

  • Permanent residents in family-class, refugee and other non-economic streams — no time limit, until you become a Canadian citizen.
  • Permanent residents in economic-class streams (Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, caregiver, Atlantic, business, regional pilots) — up to 6 years from your landing date as of April 1, 2026, dropping to 5 years on April 1, 2027.
  • Convention refugees, resettled refugees, and protected persons — eligibility is unchanged.
  • Some work-permit holders in specific programs (certain caregiver streams, Ukrainian and Palestinian temporary measures, etc.) — eligibility depends on the program.

Some services — like Community Health Centres and the SWIS school program — accept newcomers regardless of immigration status. Settlement workers won't ever ask about your status before listening to your situation. (More on the 2025/2026 changes.)

Find services near you (the IRCC tool)

The federal government keeps an updated, searchable list of every settlement organization in Canada. Search by your postal code:

Find services near you (IRCC) →

Settlement organizations across Northern Ontario

Thunder Bay

Kenora & District

Sudbury & Northeastern Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie

North Bay & Timmins

Don't see your town? Use the IRCC services finder — it covers smaller communities and updates regularly.

Local services across Northern Ontario

Verified entries from settlement.org and 211 Ontario directories. Confirm hours before visiting.

Thunder Bay

  • Thunder Bay Multicultural Association (TBMA) — 17 Court Street North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4T4. 807-345-0551 (toll-free 1-866-831-1144). Designated RAP service provider for Northwestern Ontario; offers LINC, language assessment, citizenship prep, and 24/7 interpretation in 58 languages.
  • DOORS to New Life Refugee Centre — 1222 Reaume Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6T8. 807-343-9313. Walk-in service Thursdays 9 AM–2 PM; partners with TBMA on the Newcomer Settlement Program.
  • Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario — Regional Multicultural Youth Centre (MANWO/RMYC) — 511 Victoria Avenue East, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 1A8. 807-622-4666 (toll-free 1-800-692-7692). Multicultural youth programming and newcomer youth support; separate entity from TBMA.

Greater Sudbury

Sault Ste. Marie

North Bay

Timmins

What about 211?

211 Ontario is a free, 24/7, multilingual phone and text service for any Ontario resident looking for community supports — settlement, mental health, food banks, housing, legal aid, and more.

211 doesn't replace a settlement worker — but if you need one piece of information fast (where's the nearest food bank? Is there a Punjabi-speaking lawyer?) it's the quickest way to find it.

Schools — the SWIS program

If you have school-age kids, ask the school office about Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS). SWIS workers are placed inside schools to help newcomer families register, translate at parent-teacher meetings, and connect to community services. Free, confidential, no immigration status check.

See our guide to registering kids in school for more.

What to bring when you visit a settlement worker

Identity documents Passport, PR card, work or study permit, or whatever IRCC documents you have.
A note about what you need Even a short list helps — "I need an OHIP card", "I need to find a doctor for my child", "I need to find an apartment."
A list of questions Don't worry if you don't know what to ask — they will guide you.

Next steps

  1. Find your closest organization above (or use the IRCC finder)
  2. Call to book an appointment — most don't require one but it helps
  3. Bring your documents and your list of questions
  4. Save 211 in your phone for quick questions

Sources & references: Local services cross-referenced with settlement.org (OCASI's Ontario newcomer directory) and 211 Ontario. Confirm current hours and intake before visiting.

DON'T LIVE NEAR A SETTLEMENT OFFICE?

Call the regional org for your area.

Settlement workers will register you by phone or video and help you find local supports. There's no requirement to live in the same town as the office — these services are funded for all of Northern Ontario.

See all settlement services →

Last reviewed: April 2026. Settlement service eligibility and locations sometimes change — confirm on the official IRCC find-services tool.

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