Settlement Services in the Bow Valley

About Settlement Services In The Bow Valley

We provide free and confidential services for Permanent Residents of Canada (PR) including refugees living in the Bow Valley (Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, and Kananaskis). 

Who is a Permanent Resident of Canada (PR)?

  • A Permanent Resident of Canada (PR) is someone who has immigrated to Canada and has received permanent resident status from the Government of Canada
  • Permanent residents are not citizens of Canada, but are citizens of other countries
  • A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker, is not a Permanent Resident of Canada.

We also support people who are in the final stages of becoming Permanent Residents. This means we can help anyone who has applied for Permanent Residency and has provided their passport or medical examination to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Settlement Services is funded by IRCC and is a program through the Town of Banff, in partnership with the Town of Canmore, and local Bow Valley schools. 

May 2022 Update – Ukrainian arrivals: Due to special circumstances, we are extending our services to support displaced people from Ukraine who have arrived through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). 

Upcoming Events

Diwang for Parents
Friday, March 17, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM at Banff
Let’s talk about:

  • Experience of living apart and reuniting as a family in Canada
  • Building skills for healthy relationships
  • Parenting in Canada – Laws and Strategies

Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Diwang2023, 403-497-4930, or jane.coronel@banff.ca

Paying for your Education and Career Growth in Canada – Learn how a Windmill microloan can help you fund
Monday, March 20, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Online Zoom

  • Education and training programs
  • Fees for licensing and qualifying exams
  • Living allowance during a period of study
  • Courses to help you further your career
  • Travel expenses
  • Books, supplies and course materials
  • Professional association fees

Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WindmillMar23, 403-762-1144, or settlement.programmer@banff.ca

Try Skiing on Trails
Monday, March 20, 2:15 PM – 4:30 PM at Canmore Nordic Centre
Monday, April 3, 12:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Learn about the sport of cross-country skiing

  • For Permanent Residents of Canada
  • No experience necessary
  • Transportation, equipment and instruction are provided
  • Minimum age is 18

Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TryXCskiAPR2023 , 403-497-4471, or community.connections@banff.ca

Try Pottery on the Wheel Free Workshop
Tuesday, March 21, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM at artsPlace
Learn about the sport of cross-country skiing

  • For Permanent Residents of Canada
  • No experience necessary
  • Transportation from Banff provided
  • Minimum age is 18

Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TrypotteryMar2023 , 403-497-4471, or community.connections@banff.ca

Try Swimming – Learn the Basics
A free introduction to swimming
Tuesday, March 28, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Elevation Place

  • For Permanent Residents of Canada
  • No experience necessary
  • Transportation from Banff 
  • Open to all ages

Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TryswimmingMar2023 , 403-497-4471, or community.connections@banff.ca

Ukrainian Pysanky Social
Join us for a social evening of traditional egg painting
Friday, March 31, 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM at artsPlace

  • For Ukrainians of all ages living in Banff, Canmore or Lake Louise
  • Anyone hoping to support our Ukrainian community, make new friends, or learn about Ukrainian culture is also welcome to join
  • Supplies and instruction provided
  • Light snacks provided for registered participants

Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UKPysanky , 403-497-4471, or community.connections@banff.ca

Stretch for Life with Kiley Torti
Join this FREE stretch class. Learn how to improve your flexibility and prevent injuries at work just a few simple routines.
Friday, March 31, 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM at artsPlace

  • For adults only
  • Yoga mats and instructions provided
  • Space is limited

Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StretchforLifeApr2023  , 403-497-4471, or community.connections@banff.ca

Drop-In Settlement Support in Canmore
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians.
Meet with a Settlement Support Worker without making an appointment.
Mondays: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-2 p.m.
At FCSS in Canmore Civic Centre

  • Support and guidance
  • Help with documents or forms
  • Connections to local agencies for help with language learning, employment and more.

For more information, Email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca or call: 403.762.1144

Drop-In Settlement Support in Banff
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians.
Meet with a Settlement Support Worker without making an appointment.
Wednesdays: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1–2 p.m.
At Banff Town Hall

  • Support and guidance
  • Help with documents or forms
  • Connections to local agencies for help with language learning, employment and more.

For more information, Email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca or call: 403.762.1144

Bow Valley Let’s Move it
FREE Dance Events
Sundays, 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Banff Elementary School
Open to everyone! Join us to dance and connect!
Free childcare and dance instruction provided each week.
Register online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L2BPKBJ, Email: community.connections@banff.ca, Phone: 403.497.4471

For Individuals Settling In Canada

We support all Permanent Residents of Canada (PR) including refugees. We’re here to help you live your best life in Canada and can help you with questions about free local resources, English classes, housing, taxes, citizenship, family, school, and more. 

No matter how long you’ve lived here, you can join our free fun activities, meet new people, and learn about the community.  

Permanent Resident Checklist

Connect with Settlement Services today and learn more about how to live your best life in the Bow Valley!

  1. FOLLOW us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/settlement.services.in.the.bow.valley
  2. SUBSCRIBE to our monthly newsletter
  3. SIGN UP for one of our free upcoming activities like our monthly Orientation sessions. See our calendar for event details and information about how you can join.
  4. MEET with us. You can request an appointment with our friendly team

Ask questions about living in Canada as a Permanent Resident 
Meet with one of our Settlement Workers:
Call us: 403.762.1144 
Email us: settlement.programmer@banff.ca

Ask questions about schooling in Canada (grades K-12)
Meet with our Settlement Worker In Schools (SWIS)
Call us: 403.431.3557
Email us: swis@banff.ca

Community Connections

Are you new to the Bow Valley area (Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise or Kananaskis)? Community Connections is here for you!

Join one of our many “Try-It” activities to meet other PRs and try a Canadian sport like mountain biking, disc golf, hiking, downhill or cross-country skiing, skating, curling and more!

We also offer walking tours to important community locations like recreation centres, the post-office, health clinics, libraries, and municipal offices.                                                                                                                           

Get matched with a Volunteer Connector or Connector Family who will help you get to know the community better.

 WATCH our Connect to Community video series on YouTube 

Foreign Worker Support

This free and local service provides support to foreign workers in the Bow Valley including:

  • Working Holiday visa
  • Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) 
  • International Experience Canada (IEC)

Learn more about Foreign Worker Support. 

Resources & Downloads

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