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

Ukrainian Social Canmore
Friday, May 26, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Canmore Public Library
All Ukrainians living in Banff and Canmore are welcome! 
Open to all ages
Crafting supplies and board games provided (but you can bring your own)
Transportation from Banff on Roam Transit is available for Settlement Services Clients
Anyone hoping to support our Ukrainian community, make new friends is also welcome to join!

PR card Renewal Information Session
 Wednesdays, May 24 and July 26 3-4 p.m. Banff Town Hall or Zoom Online.
 Wednesdays, June 28 and August 23 3-4 p.m. Canmore Civic Centre or Zoom Online.
 PR card renewal questions and tips. 
Register online, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRcardrenewal, email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403.762.1144

After School Program
Wednesdays, May 31, June7, 14, and 21, 3:10 pm – 4:30 pm at Banff Elementary School
This program for Students Gr.1-4.
Play fun games and meet new friends.
Learn about your community.
Guest Presenters: RCMP, Visit Park Museum & Banff Public Library and more.
Build confidence with English Language skills.
Free snacks and water bottle provided. Register/Inquiry online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023SpringASP email: jane.coronel@banff.ca or call: 403.497.4930.

Try Squash for Adults
Wednesday, May 25, 5-6 p.m. at Banff Rocky Mountain Resort
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET)
No experience necessary
Transportation provided
Minimum age is 18
Equipment, instruction are provided
Registration required. Online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Trysquashadult2023-2024, Email: community.connections@banff.ca or Call: 403-497-4471

Try climbing for Adults
Monday, May 29 Elevation Place Canmore, 6:30-8 p.m.
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET)
No experience necessary
Transportation from Banff on ROAM transit is included
Minimum age is 18
Equipment, instruction are provided
Register/any inquiries: online https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Tryclimgingadult2023 , email community.connections@banff.ca, or call 403.497.4471

Try climbing for Families
Sunday, June 25 Elevation Place Canmore, 12-1:30 p.m.
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET)
No experience necessary
Transportation from Banff on ROAM transit is included
Minimum age is 4
Equipment, instruction are provided

Register/any inquiries: online https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Tryclimgingfamily2023 , email community.connections@banff.ca, or call 403.497.4471

Living in Canada as a PR/Ways to Save Money
Wednesdays, May 17 and August 16 3-4:30 p.m. at Banff Town Hall or Zoom Online
Wednesday, June 21 3-4:30 p.m. at Canmore Civic Centre or Zoom Online
Wednesday, July 19 5:30-7 p.m. Zoom Online
Part 1 (60 minutes) Important information about PR status and PR card, English classes, health care, taxes, and your rights and responsibilities. 
Part 2 (30 minutes) Ways to save Money! Free or low-cost programs and services for individuals and families. You can attend Part 1 or Part 2 or both parts. 
Register online, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LivingasPR2023, email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403.762.1144

Canadian Citizenship Information Session
Mondays, June 5 and August 14 5:30-6:45 p.m. Zoom Online
Monday, July 3 3-4:15 p.m. Zoom Online
Changes to application process – Understanding eligibility criteria and documents you need to apply. Tips to have your application successful, including how to prepare for the Citizenship Test.
Register online, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Citizenship2023, email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403.762.1144

Ukrainian Questions and Answers
Mondays, June 12 and August 21 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Canmore Civic Centre
Tuesday, July 11 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Banff Town Hall
Interpreted in Ukrainian.
Health Care for Ukrainians; family doctor and how to get Health Cards
Local English Language Classes
Free and low-cost local supports
Where to get help finding work
Government documents
and more!
Register email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca or call 403.762.1144, register online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UKRQandAMay-Aug2023

Do you like to Dance?
May 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 9, 16, 23, 30
August 13, 20, 27
September 10, 17, 24
October 1, 15, 22, 29
November 5, 19, 26
December 3, 10, 17
Sundays 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Banff Elementary School
For everyone. Free childcare and dance instruction provided
Registration required. Online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Doyouliketodance2023Spring  July, Aug, Sep: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Doyouliketodance2023Summer Email: community.connections@banff.ca or Call: 403.497.4471

Newcomer Walking Tour of Banff
Wednesdays, June 7, July 5, and August 2 12:30pm-1:30pm Downtown Banff
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET) who are living or working in Banff. Learn about Banff's history, programs, and services available to you! In partnership with BanffLIFE.
Registration required. Online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Newcomerwalking2023-2024 , Email: community.connections@banff.ca or Call: 403-497-4471

Try Hiking
Tuesdays, June 20, 9:00am-4:00pm Lake Louise area
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET). FREE introduction to hiking and guided hike to Lake Agnes in Lake Louise.
Participants must be at least 16 years old
No experience necessary
Transportation provided
Registration required. Online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TryhikingJun20, Email: community.connections@banff.ca or Call: 403-497-4471

Try Canoeing
Tuesday, June 30, 8:30am-11:00am Banff Canoe Club
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET).
Introduction to canoeing and river tour
No experience needed
Equipment (including lifejackets) and instruction is provided
Minimum age is 2
Transportation from Canmore on ROAM transit provided
Registration required. Online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TryCanoeing2023 Email: community.connections@banff.ca or Call: 403-497-4471

Introduction to the Fitness Areas at Elevation Place
Tuesday, June 13, 7:00pm-8:30pm Elevation Place
Wednesday, June 14, 9:15am-10:45am Elevation Place
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET).
Learn about the weight room, the spin room, and the yoga room.
Participants must be at least 16 years old 
No experience necessary
Transportation from Banff on Roam Transit is provided
Registration required. Online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IntroductiontoElevationPlaceJun1314, Email: community.connections@banff.ca or Call: 403-497-4471

Try Indoor Climbing for Families
Sunday, June 25, 12:00pm-1:30pm Elevation Place
A fun and safe introduction to indoor climbing for the whole family!
For Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Ukrainians (CUAET)
No experience necessary
Transportation from Banff on ROAM transit is included
Minimum age is 4
Equipment, instruction are provided
Registration required. Online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Tryclimbingfamily2023, Email: community.connections@banff.ca or Call: 403-497-4471

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

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

IRCC_logo