- Home
- About Banff
- Move to Banff
- Settlement Services in the Bow Valley
Settlement Services in the Bow Valley
- Upcoming Events
- For Individuals Settling In Canada
- Community Connections (free social activities to help you get to know the community better)
- Foreign Worker Support
- Resources & Downloads
- For Employers & Agencies
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
Schooling in Canada Series for Parents: Open Discussion and Skill Building
Tuesday, November 28, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Online Zoom
Dinner Provided.
Join a discussion about the Canadian School System.
Share your experiences as a parent with children in a Canadian school.
Join the discussion on common school challenges experienced by newcomer children and parents.
Hear why those challenges happen and discover solutions to overcome.
Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SchoolingNov23 , email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, or call: 403.762.1144
How to renew your PR card (previously called PR card renewal Information Session)
Wednesdays, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, December 18 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
January 8 or March 7, 3:00pm – 4:15pm, February 5, 5:30pm – 6:45pm at Zoom Online
Are you planning to apply for Canadian Citizenship? 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.
Zoom Online. Register online, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CANCitizenship , email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403.762.1144
Positive Ways to Manage Life's Challenges
January 18, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Banff
Explore ways to better manage life's stresses.
Do you experience stress because of work, family life or everyday life challenges? Do you find it difficult to find a good balance between your obligations at your work and your private life?
Join us and the Right from the Start team to explore strategies which can help us positively manage life's stresses, and to live happier and healthier lives.
Register online, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Positive , email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403.762.1144
How to Renew your PR card
January 24 or March 27, at Banff or Online, February 26, at Canmore or Online
Why you need a PR Card -When, where, and how to renew your PR Card -Tips for successful applications -Answers to your questions. Location: Banff Town Hall or Zoom Online.
Register online, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRcard , email: settlement.programmer@banff.ca, Call: 403-762-1144
Do you want to start your own business?
Tuesday, November 28 & December 5
5:30-7 p.m.
Online through Zoom
Part 1 (Nov 28): How can you benefit from free Business Link services. What to consider before starting a business: Planning & Market Research.
Part 2 (Dec 5): Starting your own business: Business Structures, Licenses & Financing.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Startbusiness2023
Canadian Citizenship Information Session
Mondays, 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm, 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)
Wednesdays, 3 pm – 4:15 pm, December 20 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/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)
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
Ukrainian Social in Canmore
Friday, December 8, 4:30pm – 6:30pm, at 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)
Anyone hoping to support our Ukrainian community, make new friends is also welcome to join! Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UkrainiansocialCanmore2023
Any inquiries - 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!
- FOLLOW us on Facebook: facebook.com/SSBV.CCBV
- SUBSCRIBE to our monthly newsletter
- 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.
- 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
- Affordable Housing (PDF)
- Helpful tips about finding a place to live in Banff and Canmore
- Stay Healthy - Guide to Health Care in the Bow Valley (PDF)
- A booklet to help you understand the health care system in Canada with links to local resources
- Learn English Guide (PDF)
- Do you want to learn English? This guide can help you get started.
- Parenting Tips (PDF)
- A booklet to help guide parents in areas of parenting that can be challenging.