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 and Ukrainians (CUAET) 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

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

Affordable Housing in the Bow Valley
Monday, October 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Banff Town Hall
Meet local organizations that provide affordable housing programs
Renting and owning opportunities
Eligibility criteria and the application process
REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Register: surveymonkey.com/r/HousingBV23 

How to renew your PR card (previously called PR card renewal Information Session)
Wednesdays, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, September 27, and November 22 at Banff Town Hall or Zoom Online
Wednesdays, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, October 25, and December 27 at Canmore Civic Centre or Zoom Online

  • Why you need a PR Card
  • When and how to renew your PR Card
  • Online and paper application
  • Tips for successful application
  • Answers to your question

Register: Online surveymonkey.com/r/RenewPRcard2023 Email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca Call: 403.762.1144

Canadian Citizenship Information Session
Mondays, 3 pm – 4:15 pm, November 6 at Zoom Online
Mondays, 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm, October 16, and December 4 at Zoom Online
Learn about:

  • Eligibility criteria and documents you need to apply
  • Changes to the application process
  • Tips to make your application successful, including how to prepare for the Citizenship Test
  • Answers to your questions

Register: Online surveymonkey.com/r/Citizenship2023 Email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca Call: 403.762.1144

Are you a Permanent Resident of Canada? (previously called Living in Canada as a PR)
Wednesday, 3 pm – 4:15 pm, November 15 at Banff Town Hall or Zoom Online
Wednesdays, 3 pm – 4:15 pm, September 20, and December 20 at Canmore Civic Centre or Zoom Online
Wednesday, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm, October 18, Zoom Online

  • Why you need a PR Card
  • When and how to renew your PR Card
  • Online and paper application
  • Tips for successful application
  • Answers to your question

Register: Online surveymonkey.com/r/PRCanada2023 Email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca Call: 403.762.1144

Ways to Save Money in the Bow Valley (previously Part 2 of Living in Canada as a Permanent Resident Information Session)
Thursdays, 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm, November 16 at Zoom online
Thursday, 5:30 pm – 6:15 pm, October 19 at Zoom online
Wednesday, 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm, December 20 at Zoom online
Learn about free and low-cost programs and services.

  • Banff Access Program
  • Canmore Affordable Services Program
  • Tips to save money on food, clothing, recreation, transportation, and family activities
  • Answers to your questions

Zoom Online. Register Online, surveymonkey.com/r/SaveBV2023 , Email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403.762.1144

Family Sponsorship Information Session
Tuesday, September 26, 6 – 8 p.m., at Zoom Online
Presented by Maria De Luna - Registered Immigration Consultant.
For anyone interested in sponsoring family members to immigrate to Canada. Including: Spouse and Common Law Partner, Children, Parents and Grandparents (Sponsorship and Super Visa Options).
Zoom Online. Register online, surveymonkey.com/r/Familysponsorship23 , email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403.762.1144

Do you like to Dance?
September 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: surveymonkey.com/r/Doyouliketodance2023Spring  July, Aug, Sep: surveymonkey.com/r/Doyouliketodance2023Summer 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: facebook.com/SSBV.CCBV
  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