PassPeersEmergency numbers
| Number | What it is for | |
|---|---|---|
| 911 | Police, fire and ambulance. | Source |
Your first steps
- You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada or to get government programs and benefits. Source
- Some provinces have a waiting period of up to three months before public health insurance starts. Buy private health insurance to cover that time. Source
- IRCC funds free newcomer services. Its finder lists them for every province except Québec, which runs its own. Source
At work in hospitals and pharmacies
Work rules are set by each province. Ontario is shown as an example – check your own province and your contract.
- Ontario: employees can't be required to work more than 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week unless they agree to it. Overtime starts after 44 hours a week. Source
- Tip In your first week, ask how handovers work on your unit or in your pharmacy, and how colleagues and patients expect to be addressed.
What to watch out for
- No one can promise you a visa or faster processing. Warning signs are pressure to act quickly, requests for large cash payments and guaranteed results. Check information on Canada.ca or through official IRCC channels. Source
- When you arrive with CA$10,000 or more in cash, you must declare it. Source
Free help
- Government-funded newcomer services are free. Use the IRCC finder to find one near you. Source
Sources
- CRTC – 9-1-1 services
- Government of Canada – Social Insurance Number
- IRCC – Health care in Canada
- IRCC – Find free newcomer services near you
- Ontario – Your guide to the Employment Standards Act: hours of work
- IRCC – Spot, stop, report: taking action against immigration fraud (Feb 2026)
- Canada Border Services Agency – What to declare
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rules change – confirm with the official page before you act on them. This page is general information, not legal advice. PassPeers is independent and not affiliated with any authority.