Welcome to Canada!
New to Canada
MCSS welcomes newcomers to Canada by offering personalized support as they begin their new lives in Canada. We are the first stop in Mission for trusted and reliable information regarding Mission as well as the Lower Mainland; and our free services help newcomers transition smoothly into everyday life. MCSS Settlement team facilitates the integration process for immigrants and refugees by providing:
Information & Orientation
Supported referrals
Educational workshops
Referral to other service providers
Services are provided in the following languages:
Ukrainian
Hindi
Punjabi
Spanish
French
Arabic
Russian
We Serve
Permanent residents of Canada
Individuals allowed to remain in Canada and to whom Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) intends to grant permanent resident status
Refugee claimants
International students
Temporary foreign workers
Provincial nominees
Naturalized Canadian citizens
Accessing our Services
There is no charge for any programs.
To find out if you are eligible or for more information on our programs our services, contact our team:
Phone: (778) 201-2334 or (604) 826-3634
In person: 33313 3rd Ave, Mission, BC V2V1J9
Email: [email protected]
You can also book an appointment Online:
Walk-ins are welcome!
Please bring your Permanent Residency Card and/or Landing Document to the appointment.
Classes and events are by registration only. Please register by calling or emailing in advance.
You can also keep up to date with our events on our Facebook page.
Programs and Services
Community Connections
With a mission of helping people, changing lives, building community our team offers outreach to all newly arrived families in Mission. Our team of dedicated professionals works with families and children in schools and provides referrals to relevant community partners and resources. We provide information and/or assist with applications for the following:
| Service | Information/ Resources | Assist with application |
|---|---|---|
| English language programs (LINC) and practice groups |  | |
| Medical Services Plan (MSP) | | |
| Volunteering opportunities | | |
| Permanent Resident Cards, Canadian Citizenship, other visas/permits issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) | | |
| Obtaining a driver’s license | | |
| Public transit, purchase transit tickets and passes, and obtain transit maps | | |
| School system | | |
| Accessing no to low-cost medical/dental clinics | | |
| Landlord/tenant rights | | |
| Income assistance | | |
| Community partners and relevant community resources | | |
| Outreach Services | School Based Services | |
|---|---|---|
| For Parents | For Schools | |
| Outreach to all newly arrived families. | Registration assistance | – |
| Connect with community organizations who support students and families. | Orientation, meetings and workshops to understand the Canadian school system. | – |
| Support international students staying with family and/or friends. | Supporting parents and families in connecting with the broader school community. | – |
| Connect students and families to other community resources concerning transport, banking, employment, housing, medical, etc. | Providing information and support for newcomer students and their families. | |
| Referral links to appropriate community resources. | Arrange activities for school aged students, registered in our program, during the school year. | |
| Information and Orientation sessions. | Facilitate the understanding of Canadian culture and involvement in school and community. | |
| – | Accompany parents and guardians to meetings and progress reviews. | |
| – | Facilitating two-way communication between the home and the school. | |
English Learning Programs
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Courses
LINC classes are free of cost.
To inquire about availability and course schedule:
Conversation Circle
Adults (18+) are welcome to join Conversation Circle as an opportunity to connect with each other and practice speaking English. Our team of staff and volunteers facilitate discussions on topics related to settling in Canada, including community resources, culture, parenting, etc.
English Language Practice Group
This is a fun and relaxed space for adults (18+) practice speaking English by engaging in informal conversations and activities.
Join us for board games, card games, and other fun activities that help you practice English in a natural way. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and chat with others in a friendly environment.
Why MCSS
Supportive Community: Everyone here is supportive and eager to help each other out. No judgments, just encouragement.
Flexible and Fun: We keep things lively and adaptable to everyone’s interests and skill levels.
Settlement and Immigration Programs
Homework Club
Youth Leaders
Mission Community Services Youth Group meets regularly, giving newcomer youth a chance to share ideas and experiences. In addition to regular Youth Group meetings, we offer workshops and tailored activities such as leadership building.
Women’s Walking Club
Canadian Citizenship Preparation
Please bring your Permanent Resident Card and the latest copy of “Discover Canada” to the appointment.
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS)
Welcome BC
Mission Community Services Society helps people navigate their journey to a new life in British Columbia by offering support with various Welcome BC programs and services:
• Provincial Nominees: The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an economic immigration program that lets the Province select economic immigrants who will live in B.C. and help fill job vacancies or operate businesses. If you are nominated, you and your family can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence in Canada.
• Temporary Foreign Workers: Each year, employers in B.C. hire temporary foreign residents from countries around the world. These temporary foreign residents help B.C. meet the demand for short-term labour and keep projects moving forward. Temporary foreign residents can gain valuable Canadian work experience that can help them move to permanent residency.
• Post Secondary International Students: Each year, thousands of students from around the world come to British Columbia. If you plan to study in B.C. for more than six months in a row, and if you are not a permanent resident, you will need a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Refugee Claimants: When you first arrive in B.C. as a person with refugee status, there are steps you will need to take to help you settle in quickly, and services to help. As a refugee, you are eligible for a wide range of services through the federal government’s settlement services – these services will help you settle into your new community.
• Naturalized Citizens: If you have obtained Canadian citizenship through naturalization, you can continue to access some free services if you need further help to integrate into Canadian society and workplaces. If you are a naturalized Canadian looking for work, we can help you access services and supports offered through Work BC employment centres across the provinces.
Local Immigration Partnership (LIP)
The Local Immigration Partnership is an IRCC funded initiative focusing on the development and implementation of collaborative welcome services by coordinating directly with local officials and service providers. MCSS’s LIP Specialist organizes a council representing several organizations around the city to champion effective supports helping newcomers to integrate successfully into Canadian society. They also organize a table of newcomer partners who draw from lived experience to suggest experientially informed service enhancements ensuring that Mission is a welcoming city for all. The LIP Specialist conducts community-oriented research and service evaluation, gathers information to help newcomers navigate the settlement process in all its aspects, and periodically holds workshops and events. See the calendar below for upcoming events.
For more information, contact the LIP Specialist by email at [email protected] , or call the MCSS Head Office at (604) 826-3634
Resources
The LIP Council:
The LIP Council works collaboratively to develop an action plan for meaningful settlement solutions. They encourage key community leaders to consider the needs of newcomers when making policy decisions. The LIP council aims to plan for the long-term needs of the community, focusing on areas like labor force requirements, economic development, transportation, population growth, and taxpayer stabilization. This process is designed to bring the community together and provide knowledge of what currently exists and what is needed. LIPs across the country act as catalysts for partnerships in communities. They bring people from different areas together.
Currently, the LIP Council has representation from:
- The City of Mission
- Mission Downtown Business Association
- Mission Chamber of Commerce
- Mission Public School District
- ECE BC
- Mission Literacy in Motion
- Work BC
- Fraser Health
- The United Way
- Fraser Valley Regional Library
- Mission Community Services Society
- Mission Crime Prevention Office
- Swing Optical
- Highpoint Capital Solutions
If you are a representative of an organization interested in sitting on the LIP Council, contact the LIP Specialist at [email protected], or call the MCSS Head Office at (604) 826-3634
The Newcomer Advisory Table (NAT):
The NAT is coordinated by the LIP Specialist and comprises Mission and regional residents with lived experience settling in Canada. The table offers crucial insight into the achievements and challenges of the settlement process while seeking to enhance newcomer services in Mission. NAT members have an immediate role shaping the direction of the LIP Specialist’s research program, make recommendations regarding service improvements and gaps, and demonstrate their leadership as prominent members of the Mission community.
If you have personal experience settling in Canada and would like to lend your voice to the Newcomer Advisory Table, contact the LIP Specialist at [email protected], or call the MCSS Head Office at (604) 826-3634.
EVENT CALENDAR
Thank you to our Generous Supporters
