ImmigrationHOME / Settling In Prince Edward Island One of the first things you may wish to do when you move to Prince Edward Island is contact the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada which is located in Charlottetown. The Association can help you with apartment rentals, language training, applications for Social Insurance Numbers, Health Care, Canada's Child Tax Credit, help with banking, shopping and much more. Finding a Place to Live Prince Edward Island is a great place to live. There are numerous small communities throughout rural PEI; two cities, namely Charlottetown and Summerside, and 7 towns: Alberton, Cornwall, Georgetown, Kensington, Montague, Souris and Stratford. Prince Edward Island is the smallest of the Canadian provinces both in size and population. Visit the following sites for information on apartments rentals, real estate for sale, buying land, and building on PEI. There are several storage facilities on the Island if you need to store furniture and household items for a short or extended period of time. You can use the Address Locator (where by entering a civic address), you can find information about emergency service providers, electoral information, school districts and much more. You can also visit the PlaceFinder where by entering in a community name you will find information about business in the area, real estate for sale, census information and community photographs.English Language Training There are several facilities which provide language training on Prince Edward Island. Several of these facilities are listed below:
Working in Prince Edward Island In order to work in Canada you must have a Social Insurance Number. Visit the employment page of InfoPEI for information on career planning, employment programs and services, and a list of jobs currently available on PEI. Another useful resource for newcomers is the Job Bank. Paying Taxes in Canada The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency oversees the collection of federal and provincial taxes in Canada. The Guide for Newcomers to Canada will help you determine your residency status and your tax obligations. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit is paid every three months to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes to help offset the GST/HST that they pay. You must apply to receive the credit. If You Have Children Prince Edward Island has an Immunization Program for children from birth through to grade nine. Although your child is not required by law to be vaccinated, it is highly recommended that your child be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria. However, if an illness for which there is a vaccine is diagnosed in a school, those children who have not been immunized for that disease will not be allowed to attend the school until it is safe to return to school. If you have children under the age of 18 who live with you and you are considered a resident of Canada for income tax purposes you can apply for the Child Tax Benefit. This is a tax-free payment based on family income that qualifying families receive to help them with the costs of raising children. There are numerous child care facilities on PEI which provide after school care, play schools, day cares, and kindergarten programs. Children who have reached their sixth birthday by January 31 are eligible to attend school. (Students between the ages of 7 and 16 must attend school.) Parents also have the option of home schooling their children. Students attend elementary school for Grades 1 through 6. Junior high schools educate students in Grades 7 through 9 while Island high schools offer education for students from Grades 10 through twelve. Almost all school-aged children in the province attend one of the 65 English language or 5 French language public schools. Approximately 1% of children in the province attend one of the 4 privately operated schools. Prince Edward Island's public schools are operated by 3 elected school boards and are funded by the provincial government. As specified in the School Act [PDF File], school boards provide for instruction, management of personnel, facilities and the transportation of students. To determine which schools your child can attend, visit the Address Locator where, by supplying your civic address, you can determine which family of schools is available for your neighborhood. To register your child at one of these schools, contact the school directly. There are approximately 30 students in a typical school class. Students eat their lunch in their classroom or in the school cafeteria. Students are not required to wear uniforms to school although most schools have a dress code concerning what can be worn. Students are not required to write entrance exams to enter high school. Universities and Community Colleges The University of Prince Edward Island, commonly referred to as UPEI, offers a multitude of courses in Arts, Sciences, Music, Education, Nursing, and much more. The Atlantic Veterinary College is part of the University of Prince Edward Island. The College's modern facilities have many unique features which include state-of-the-art laboratories, high tech classrooms, diagnostic services and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital with clinics for small and large animals. Holland College is the community college of PEI and offers specialized courses Tourism and Hospitality, Aviation Maintenance, Welding and Metal Fabrication, and more. There are also several private training schools which operate on PEI.Health Care All new residents must register with the Department of Health and Social Services in order to become eligible for a PEI Health Card. Persons who establish permanent residence in Prince Edward Island from elsewhere in Canada will become eligible for insured hospital and medical services on the first day of the third month following the month of arrival. New or returning residents must apply for health coverage by completing a registration application from the Department. The application is reviewed to ensure that all necessary information is provided. A health card is issued and sent to the resident within two weeks. Renewal of coverage takes place every five years and residents are notified by mail six weeks prior to renewal. PEI has a Patient Registry Program which provides coordinated support to new residents in need of physicians. Driving in PEI When someone moves to PEI from another country, they must register as a new driver with the Department of Transportation and Public Works. Individuals registering as new drivers from elsewhere in Canada, the United States, Germany or Austria do not have to register as new drivers on PEI. You will be issued a PEI license of equivalent class for the regular cost of the license for the designated period. Written, vision and driving tests are required if your previous license has been expired for over one year. For those moving here from Switzerland, you will be issued a PEI license of equivalent class for the regular cost of the license for the designated period once a vision test is completed. Once you receive your PEI license your original license is invalid. In Canada and the US, your license will be returned to your former jurisdiction. If you are moving here from a foreign jurisdiction, your out-of-country driver's license will be kept on file with the Registrar of the Highway Safety Division for possible subsequent return. For more information about obtaining a PEI Driver's license visit the following site. Information about driving laws and regulations, traffic rules, vehicle registration and inspections is also available online. Import Taxes and Duties The federal Canada Customs and Revenue Agency oversees the importation of items from other countries and the collection of taxes and duties on those items. Visit their website for:
Importing Vehicles Vehicles purchased in other countries may not necessarily be approved for registration and use in Canada. Visit the Transport Canada website for current information on bringing vehicles into Canada. Income Security Governments at the federal, provincial and municipal level help people who are unable to provide for themselves and their families. Special programs help people in different circumstances, such as:
Most of these benefits are for people in specific circumstances and must be applied for individually if the qualifications are met. Gun Owners In order to bring firearms into Canada, they must be registered with the Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC). Important information for Canadians who have been living out of the country and who are returning to Canada with firearms, or non-residents who are moving to Canada with firearms is available on the CFC website. Voting in Elections or Running for Public Office Federal Government To vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old. To run for public office in a federal election you must be a Canadian citizen. Provincial Government is regulated by the Provincial Election Act Qualification of Candidates:
Qualification of Electors:
Municipal Government is regulated by the Municipalities Act Qualifications for Councillors:
Qualifications for Electors:
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