British Columbia Newcomers' Guide to Resources
and ServicesFinding More HelpIn this chapter: How to find helpPrivate organizations
and government offices in British Columbia can help in many ways. What if you
want help, but don’t know which group or office to ask? - Call an information
or referral service agency in your community to find a private, non-profit, or
government organization which can help you. Look in the White Pages of your telephone
book in the "Community Services" section in the front of the book.
- Call
Enquiry B.C. for information about provincial government offices. In the Lower
Mainland, the number is 604 660-2421. In Greater Victoria, the number is 387-6121.
Elsewhere in B.C. the number is 1-800-663-7867.
- If you have a
Telecommunications Device for the Hearing Impaired (TTY), phone 604 775-0303 in
Vancouver, or 1-800-661-8773 outside of Vancouver. Enquiry B.C. can transfer you
toll-free to offices outside of your local dialing area.
- Ask at
your local Government Agents office. There is a Government Agents office in most
cities and towns outside Vancouver and Victoria. Look in the Blue Pages of the
phone book. Find the Government of B.C. section. Look under "Government Agents."
Website: http://www.governmentagents.gov.bc.ca
- Call
Reference Canada for information about federal government offices. The number
is 1-800-622-6232. If you have a Telecommunications Device for the Hearing Impaired
(TTY), phone 1-800-465-7735. Website: http://www.canada.gc.ca/
Crisis
CentresSometimes people get extremely sad or upset. Some people may think
about harming themselves or others. Most B.C. communities have crisis centres
to help people experiencing severe depression, suicidal thoughts, physical or
mental abuse, or family or marital distress. The crisis centre number is on the
inside front cover of the White Pages of the telephone book. Help for victims
of tortureSome people were tortured before coming to Canada. There is
a group in Vancouver which gives support and counselling to these people and their
families. Contact the Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST) at
604 299-3539. Help for familiesIn
Canada, parents are legally responsible for their children up to the age of 19.
The government has social workers to help families with problems. Look in the
Blue Pages of the telephone book, in the Government of British Columbia section,
under "Children and Family Development – Ministry of." Website:
http://www.gov.bc.ca/mcf/
Help
for young peopleMany communities have agencies with special counsellors
to help young people. Counsellors can answer questions and give advice about pregnancy,
drugs, sexual diseases, and other problems. Contact the nearest public health
unit. See the Blue Pages of the telephone book, after the Government of British
Columbia section, in the "Health Authorities" listing. There are
community agencies to help children and young people. Big Sisters and Big Brothers
match an adult and a child so that they can do things together. Boys’ and Girls’
Clubs help young people in other ways. Alcohol
and drug problemsTo find an agency in your community that helps with these
problems, call the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Line. In Vancouver,
the number is 604 660-9382. Outside of the Lower Mainland, the number is 1-800-663-1441.
You can phone these numbers 24 hours a day. You can also look in the Blue Pages
of the telephone book, in the Government of British Columbia section, under "Addiction
Services." There are also prevention programs to help people before
drugs and alcohol become a problem. Schools have special programs and counsellors.
Many community agencies such as Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs have support groups. To
find an agency in your community, call the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral
Line.
Child
abuse and neglectSometimes parents don’t take proper care of their children.
They may hit them or leave young children at home alone. There are laws to protect
children in these situations. If you think a child needs help, call the
Helpline for Children. Dial 0 zero). Ask for "Zenith 1234." You can
phone this number 24 hours a day. The government may send a social worker
to check on a child. If the social worker thinks the child is in danger, they
can take the child out of the home to a safe place. If this happens, the parents
should get legal help immediately. (See the chapter on "the
Legal System"). Wife or husband abuseWife or husband abuse
is against the law in Canada. There are many ways someone can abuse their spouse
(wife or husband). For example, slapping or hitting the person, not letting the
person go out of the house, or saying that they will take away the children are
abuse. The police can arrest someone who abuses their wife or husband. That
person could get a fine or go to jail. If a person is a permanent resident
of Canada, that person will not be deported if they leave an abusive wife or husband. What
can you do if you need help? - Call a crisis centre. See the inside
front cover of your telephone book.
- Call the Victims’ Information Line
at 1-800-563-0808. They can give you information and referrals to agencies and
services to help you.
- Go to a transition house. A transition house gives
safe, free, emergency care to abused women and their children. You can get food,
shelter, and medical help. You can also get counselling and help in finding an
interpreter. Look in the White Pages of the telephone book under "Transition
Houses."
- In the Lower Mainland, call Multicultural Family Support
Services at 604 436-1025. This agency has counsellors for women and children in
situations of family violence.
- Call the police.
AssaultIt
is against the law for someone to assault you. What is assault? If someone hits
or hurts you, that is assault. If someone says he or she will hit you or hurt
you, and you believe that person will do it, that is assault. Call the police
if this happens to you. RapeWhat if you have been raped? Call a
sexual assault centre. People at these centres give information and advice. The
number is on the inside front cover of the telephone book. You may also want to
call the police. People with disabilitiesPeople
with disabilities may need information about housing or jobs. They also may want
to know what special programs are available in their communities. For information
and advice, call the Ministry of Health Services Information Line at 1-800-465-4911
or the B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities at 604 875-0188. Website:
http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/ Gays and lesbiansHomosexual
immigrants may want information or advice. You can contact a community health
unit in your area, or a local gay and lesbian organization. In Vancouver,
call the Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, and Bisexual Community Centre at 604 684-5307
or the Helpline at 604 684-6869. Outside of Vancouver, call 1-800- 566-1170.
Seniors'
programs and benefitsMost communities in B.C. have seniors’ groups. These
groups usually have programs and activities for seniors. Some have special services
such as counselling, medical clinics, entertainment, and legal advice. For
information on seniors’ programs, contact the Office of the Special Advisor for
Women’s and Seniors’ Health at 250 952-2256, or call Enquiry B.C. Ask for their
free booklet Information for Seniors— Your Guide to Programs and Benefits in
British Columbia. Website:
http://www.healthplanning.gov.bc.ca/seniors/ For information on local
seniors groups and activities in your area, contact your local community centre. Seniors
may get into many places for free or for less money if they show their Gold CareCard.
These places may include provincial parks, art galleries, museums, movies, theatres,
hotels, and restaurants. Seniors may also get special low rates on buses, ferries,
trains, and airplanes. Financial help for seniorsCanada Pension
Plan (CPP) – When you work, a small amount of money is deducted from
your pay cheque each month. The money goes to the federal government so that when
you retire, you get a government pension every month. Old Age Security
Pensions – The federal and provincial governments also give pensions
to all seniors. It doesn’t matter if you worked or not. You must apply for this
pension when you are 65 years old. You must have lived in Canada for 10 years
before you can apply. (The minimum residence can be less than 10 years, if
you lived or worked in a country that has a social security agreement on pensions
with Canada). Guaranteed Income Supplement – People who get
Old Age Security but have little or no other income may also qualify for the Guaranteed
Income Supplement. The amount is determined by the income of you and your spouse.
For more information, call the Canada Pension and Old Age Security Enquiry line
at 1-800-277-9914. Seniors Supplement – People who get Old
Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement may also qualify for the provincial
government’s Seniors Supplement. You will receive the Seniors Supplement automatically
if you are eligible. The amount depends on your income. For more information,
call 604 682-0391 from the Lower Mainland, 387-4331 in Victoria, or 1-800-665-2656
from elsewhere in B.C. Return
to main page. |