Living in Hawkesbury
Daily life
When immigrating to a new country, it’s important to plan carefully before you leave. Here is some information to help you prepare for your arrival in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada. This page covers various aspects of everyday life in our town. For more information on nearby services, please consult the directory (French only).
Please note: Most of the links in this section lead to other websites where you can find more information on a given topic.
Sports and recreation
The Town of Hawkesbury and its surrounding area offer many opportunities to enjoy sporting and recreational activities: parks, trails, a sports complex, seasonal outdoor skating rinks, bike paths, docks and marinas, a baseball diamond, dog park, bowling alley and much more.
“The Town of Hawkesbury believes that the strength of a community can often be measured by the health and wellness of the members within it. Whether you are a part of a family or on your own, you will enjoy discovering our sports, community and cultural activities. The Recreation, Culture and Community Life Team is made up of more than thirty staff members who together offer, season after season, programming that is diversified and dynamic.”
— Corporation of the Town of Hawkesbury
You will also find a comprehensive list of social, cultural and sports activities in the directory of resources and services (French only).
Transportation
Hawkesbury residents get around mainly by car, moped, bicycle and on foot.
Driver's licence
Getting an Ontario driver’s licence is a three-step process. Drivers graduate from G1 to G2 and then ultimately to G driver’s licences. Conditions apply for G1 and G2 licence holders. To apply for a driver’s licence in Ontario, you must be 16 years of age or older and pass a vision test and a knowledge test. Certain documents are also required.
Shopping and restaurants
The Town of Hawkesbury is home to many shops and charming boutiques to suit every need. The region also offers a surprising selection of restaurants that will satisfy most tastes. Seasonal fruit and vegetable stands also pop up every summer.
The quickest way to find a store, shop or restaurant is to type the following keywords into Google:
- Hawkesbury Ontario restaurant
- Hawkesbury Ontario store
If you’re looking for appliances, furniture or other second-hand items, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace are very popular in the region.
Housing
Need advice and resources to help you settle in Hawkesbury?
Moving to an unfamiliar place can be scary and complicated. We have tried to gather all the information that could be useful to you. You will also find some practical advice.
Health care
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) pays for many of the health care services you’ll need. When you arrive in the province, it’s important to register for OHIP. You can visit a ServiceOntario location or visit the Government of Ontario health care website.
Education
In Ontario, school is mandatory for children aged 5 to 16.
According to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Francophone parents have the right to enrol their children in a French-language school from kindergarten onwards (ages three to five, depending on a child’s date of birth).
Faith
Hawkesbury is an inclusive town with many places of worship for you to practise your faith.
Francophone churches
- Catholic: Paroisse St-Pierre Apôtre
- Christian: Centre Chrétien Viens et Vois
- Evangelical: Église Évangélique Baptiste Le Rocher
Anglophone churches
- Anglican: Anglican Church Hall Holy Trinity
- Catholic: St. Judes Parish
- Christian: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Evangelical: Hawkesbury Christian Evangelical Church
- Presbyterian: Paul Presbyterian Church
Banking and finance
You can visit the websites of Canadian banking institutions to find a bank or credit union that’s right for you. You’ll need to go into a branch to open a bank account.
Please consult the directory (French only) to get a complete overview of the region!
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