Immigrate – Vivre à Hawkesbury

Newcomer services

Do you want to immigrate to Canada? Looking for information?

Led by the Réseau de soutien en immigration de l’est de l’Ontario, the IRCC’s Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFC) initiative brings together a variety of Francophone immigration stakeholders to facilitate the settlement of French-speaking newcomers. Although the Hawkesbury WFC is not equipped to provide direct support with your immigration process, we’ll be happy to answer your questions to the best of our ability and guide you toward the appropriate resources. Our goal is to help you integrate into the community as soon as you arrive in Hawkesbury.

Newcomers are those who are already in Canada and the service they need is the settlement service (The mission of the Settlement program is to help Francophone newcomers build a social and professional network in order to become involved in their community and develop a sense of belonging to their welcoming community).

This service is offered by Economic and Social Council of Ottawa Carleton (CÉSOC) and the settlement officer for Prescott-Russell is Jenny Amertil her office is at 134 Main Street E in Hawkesbury, suite 303.

Below is what is included in a welcome and settlement program for newcomers:

Settlement Services

Information & Referral
Needs assessment and referral

Community Connections

Twinning & Mentoring
Group activities
Conversation table in
French and/or English
Soft skills workshops
Community Potluck
Recreational activities

10,194

inhabitants

36%

of dwellings are single-family homes

67%

of residents are bilingual (French and English)

87%

of the Hawkesbury population is fluent in French

Did you know?

According to Statistics Canada, Ontario is home to approximately 600,000 mother-tongue Francophones, representing about five percent of the total population. In addition, nearly 1.5 million Ontarians identify as bilingual (English and French), out of a population of around 13 million. This means your French-language skills will give you a distinct advantage in the Ontario job market, with many companies looking to hire French-speaking and bilingual employees.

10,194

inhabitants

36%

of dwellings are single-family homes

67%

of residents are bilingual (French and English)

87%

of the Hawkesbury population is fluent in French

The city is located between two major cities, Ottawa, Ontario, the capital of Canada, and Montreal, Quebec. This explains why the French language and heritage are so important to its population.

How to immigrate to Hawkesbury

We are pleased that you’re interested in Canada, and Hawkesbury in particular! We have a number of organizations that can help ease your integration and ensure your success! Our region is full of possibility for newcomers, whether you’re single, arriving with a friend, or immigrating as a couple or family. It’s the perfect place to develop your skills, explore the Canadian landscape or learn English, among many other opportunities.

It’s important to note that immigration applications and procedures are a federal matter, overseen by the Government of Canada. That said, most provinces and territories have their own immigration programs and policies, Ontario included.

A basic overview

First, we recommend that you visit the immigration section of the Government of Canada’s website, at www.cic.gc.ca.

Take a look at the five following Canadian programs. One of them may be relevant to your situation:

To learn about your legal rights when immigrating to Ontario, visit the Law Society of Ontario website.

It’s also a good idea to consult the government of Ontario website. It provides all the information you need on available government services.

After you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR-PRC) or your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) from the Canadian government, you can contact the Francophone Connections pre-departure service.

Finding a job

The job market in Hawkesbury is constantly growing. We’re home to several industries and there’s work for everyone. The town is also a great place for entrepreneurs looking to start a business.

No matter your ambitions, you’ll find a job you’ll enjoy!

We invite you to consult the Work section for more information.

Support for employers

Did you know that the Employment Services Centre of Prescott and Russell (CSEPR) can help you with international recruitment? The CSEPR can help guide you through the immigrant and newcomer hiring process, including:

Exploring relevant government websites
Identifying and meeting basic eligibility criteria
Filling out forms
Connecting with Contak, an agency that carries out international recruitment for its clients.

For more information on international recruitment, please contact the CSEPR.