Immigrants and Refugees

Are you new to Canada?

Gathered on this page are resources that were developed with you in mind. But there may be general resources that are also appropriate.

See also information provided in the section Learn More About...or search the list of all legal topics to find other relevant information.


CPLEA Suggested Resources

Not sure where to begin finding answers to your questions. Get started with our suggested resources. See additional resources below for more information.

The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta ) is the only association of certified translators, court interpreters, and conference interpreters in the province of Alberta. The Association was founded in 1979 and is the only member for Alberta of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC). Through the CTTIC, the Association is affiliated with the International Federation of Translators (FIT). The primary aim of ATIA is to meet the needs of clients by ensuring, through its standards and certification procedures, that their interests are protected, and by facilitating their contacts with professional translators and interpreters.

Related legal topic(s): Legal process, Legal services, Self-representation

Calgary Legal Guidance offers legal advice and assistance to newcomers who are looking for help in various immigration law matters. The Immigration Law Project can assist clients with: Making a claim for refugee protection, Preparing and filing applications for permanent residence, Applying for work permits,temporary resident visas and study permits, Family sponsorship issues, and Representation in specially considered cases. CLG offers three free legal advice outreach clinics at the following locations: Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) (403.263.4414) - Offering advice in Family and Immigration Law; Centre for Newcomers (403.569.3325) Offering advice in Family and Immigration Law; and Immigrant Service Calgary (403.265.1120) Offering advice in Immigration Law for permanent residents and Canadian citizens. Call each location directly to book an appointment

Related legal topic(s): Immigration, Legal services, Refugees

If you are a current or potential immigrant to Calgary this website will connect you to resources to support your success in a new life in Canada.  Services are provided by a large staff of multi-cultural professionals, who understand and have experienced the settlement process. The Centre offers a full suite of services, including: English language training for adults, supports for finding and retaining employment, and first-language settlement supports for individuals and families. With the assistance of Calgary Legal Guidance they are offering a free legal advice outreach clinic in family and immigration law.

Related legal topic(s): Citizenship and nationality, Family law general resources, Immigration, Legal services, Refugees

This resource, Support Services for Albertans, is a comprehensive, but not exhaustive, list of organizations across the province that provide a multitude of services that compliment the support Legal Aid Alberta is able to provide. The resource mainly focuses on organizations offering legal supports to residents, but also provides information about organizations that provide social supports for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. This includes, but is not limited to, women in abusive relationships, Indigenous Albertans, youth, and the homeless.

Related legal topic(s): Advocacy

United Cultures of Canada Association is a non-profit community based organization located in Edmonton, Alberta. It provides a variety of program and services to Edmonton's multicultual community. Their mandate is to create situations of social inclusion for immigrant communities leading to their effective participation and successful integration into Canadian society. Included in the many initiatives offered by the Association are services, programs and publications on that provide information on human rights, residential tenancies, domestic abuse, interpreting services and a free Multicultural Family Law Facilitation (Interpreting) Service.  This free service is provided to ensure equal access to justice for those who are experiencing language barriers and assist service providers and newcomer communities in family law matters, UCCA provides on-site and phone legal interpreting in a number of lanaguages.

Related legal topic(s): Family law general resources, Family violence general resources, Legal services, Multiculturalism

Your rights when renting: Human rights in Alberta is a series of resources funded by the Alberta Human Rights Education and Multicultural Fund. In this project the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA)  has created resources for multicultural communities to learn about their rental rights under the Alberta Human Rights Act. These resources use real-life scenarios to explain what landlords are allowed to do and not do under the Act. The resources also explain what remedies are available and how individuals can access these remedies.

Related legal topic(s): Charter of Rights, Human rights, Refugees

Alberta Resources

Alberta Network of Immigrant Women (ANIW) is a provincially-based network of immigrant women's organizations. ANIW provides a forum for member organizations to discuss relevant issues and facilitate the development of solutions for issues that face immigrant women and their families.

Related legal topic(s): Immigration

This online resource is provided by the Government of Alberta and includes information you'll need before you arrive and after you get here. This website is designed to help make Alberta immigrant's arrival easier. The before you depart section has information on any documents one may require, as well as on jobs, professional associations, and cities and towns across Alberta. The after you arrive section gives information on schools for children, housing, training for employment opportunities and settlement agencies.

Related legal topic(s): Immigration

ASSIST Community Services Centre aims to provide diversified services to Canadian immigrants and their offspring, helping them integrate into mainstream society and actively contribute. ASSIST Community Service Centre is pleased to announce that they have invited The Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC) to provide free legal information services to low-income individuals and/or families in the areas of civil claims (small claims). Additional services offered include: Counselling and referrals, Settlement counselling, Information sessions, Support groups, Mental health intake and referrals, Employment related services and more. To see a full list of services please visit their website. Services languages are: English, Cantonese, Mandarin

Related legal topic(s): Civil actions, Civil law, Legal services

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) is a non-profit organization which provides settlement and integration services to all immigrants and refugees in Southern Alberta. With 29 years of solid experience in the design and delivery of comprehensive quality resettlement and integration services to refugees and immigrants, CCIS offers a wide variety of specialized services that were designed to aid and enhance the integration process.

Related legal topic(s): Immigration, Refugees

The Calgary Chinese Community Service Association is an ethnocultural community service agency. CCSA offers four core programs: Children and Youth, Integration and Civic Engagement (ICE), Health Program, and Legal Program. Their Law and Advocacy Program is funded by the Alberta Law Foundation and provides a range of services including: basic legal information and referrals, Commissioner for Oaths and Notary, a free legal outreach clinic.  and free Wills & Estates Document Drafting Services (CCCSA provides free drafting services for Personal Directives, Enduring Powers of Attorney, and Wills for low-income seniors (ages 65+). Asset screening will be conducted for eligibility. and will and estate documents drafting services.)

Related legal topic(s): Advocacy, Citizenship and nationality, Legal services, Multiculturalism, Wills and estates

Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) is a non-profit organization established in 1982 as a registered charity. CIWA is a culturally diverse settlement agency that recognizes, responds to, and focuses on the unique concerns and needs of immigrant and refugee women, girls and their families.  The organization's website details their service areas including legal services, crime prevention education, and civic engagement services.

Related legal topic(s): Immigration, Refugees

Catholic Social Services is a multi-function social service agency that serves people of all faiths and cultures throughout central Alberta. Founded in 1961, the agency has grown to deliver more than 100 programs.CSS is divided into Service and Program areas offered in five distinct Regions throughout central and northeast Alberta. Major Service areas include: Children, Family, and Community Service,Community Outreach and Disability Service, Immigration and Settlement Service, and Substance Abuse and Corrections Service.

Related legal topic(s): Corrections, Disabilities, Drugs and alcohol, Immigration, Mediation and alternative dispute resolution, Parole, Refugees, Reintegration

Founded in 1984, Changing Together is a nonprofit, charitable organization operated by immigrant women for immigrant women. The mission of Changing Together is to help Edmonton and area immigrant women and their families overcome personal and systemic barriers that keep them from participating fully in Canadian Society.

Related legal topic(s): Immigration

Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA)

The Edmonton Immigrant Services Association is a registered non-profit organization incorporated in 1976. EISA exists in order to provide programs and direct services relating to Integration, Settlement, Adaptation and Education for new immigrants, refugees and first generation Canadians in Edmonton and surrounding areas regardless of age, gender, religion, nationality or ethnic origin to assist them make a smooth transition into Canadian life. They have a language bank and provide translation services.

Related legal topic(s): Immigration

The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) is a community agency that seeks to assist immigrants and refugees, coming to the Edmonton area, achieve full participation in the community, contributing their experiences and skills to strengthen and enrich the lives of all Canadians. EMCN have a wide range of programs and services that include English as a Second Language (ESL), employment services, settlement counselling, personal counselling, community development and community economic development, advocacy, and education.

Related legal topic(s): Immigration, Refugees

This information sheet is produced by the Government of Alberta and offers basic information about some of the laws in the Alberta Employment Standards Code. Includes information about wages, days off, overtime and statutory holidays in an easy-to-read format. (PDF - 4 pages)

Related legal topic(s): Workers' rights and employment standards

In this issue of English Express you will learn about human rights in Alberta with examples and illustrations. English Express uses simple and easy to understand English for anyone to understand their publication.(PDF - 23 pages)

Related legal topic(s): Human rights, Workers' rights and employment standards

Government services and information on helping syrian refugees to settle in Alberta. Information covers resettlement, funding and other supports.

Related legal topic(s): Refugees

The mandate of the Immigrant Access Fund (IAF) is to relieve poverty by providing micro-loans to needy immigrants in order to assist them in obtaining Canadian accreditation, upgrading or training that will allow them to obtain employment in their specified field. IAF offers Alberta individuals and corporations the opportunity to join other interested citizens who are establishing a fund to provide micro-loans for skilled immigrants.

Related legal topic(s): Immigration

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