Resource Centre | Synergy Lab | Newcomer to Canada

Kingston

Settlement

Newcomer Gift

The newcomer’s welcome gift is a comprehensive package that includes a 35-day Kingston Transit pass, a 30-day Fit Pass for City recreation programs and services, a voucher for two passes to select Grand OnStage shows at Kingston Grand Theatre, and a family day pass along with a guided tour of the Pump House Museum. To receive your welcome gift, you can visit Immigrant Services Kingston and Area (ISKA) or ACFOMI or KEYS. During your visit, settlement workers will be available to provide you with the gift and address any inquiries you may have about living in Kingston.

Rent-Geared-To-Income Housing

For those interested in Rent-Geared-To-Income (RGI) Housing, newcomers can apply after the first year, but it’s advisable to start the application early due to potentially lengthy processing times.

Typically, tenants pay 30% of their gross monthly income as rent. The application form for RGI Housing can be accessed on the City of Kingston website

Recreation

Recreation Facilities in Kingston include the INVISTA Centre, Artillery Park Aquatic Centre, Rideau Heights Community Centre, and Kingston East Community Centre.

Enjoy cardio and weight rooms, drop-in programs, fitness classes, swimming, public skating, and more with a City of Kingston recreation membership available at these facilities. Additionally, Kingston boasts over 200 picturesque parks for strolls, jogs, and lake views, along with cycling trails like the K&P Trail and the Rideau Trail for hiking.

Utilities

Utilities Kingston is the authority responsible for delivering clean and safe drinking water, supplying natural gas, and distributing electricity to residents and businesses in Kingston while also promoting energy conservation and providing customer support services; more information can be found here.

Keys

KEYS offers tailored services for immigrants and newcomers, aiding in settling and integrating into the community, particularly focusing on job and career searches, English language proficiency, and successful settlement in Kingston and Canada, with services provided in English, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and Kirundi, including employment assistance, language classes, the Professional Mentoring Partnership, and refugee resettlement services; book an appointment to explore how KEYS services can assist you.

KCHC

Immigrant Services Kingston and Area envisions a community enriched by the skills and contributions of immigrants, offering a range of settlement programs and services to facilitate a smooth transition for individuals, including assistance with government documents, personalized mentoring and counseling, community connections, housing support, enrollment assistance for school and daycare, resource connections, and translation services.

Transportation

Public Transit

Kingston offers a comprehensive transportation network, including a well-developed public transit system operated by Kingston Transit

Accessible transportation through the Kingston Access Bus service

Healthcare

Kingston hosts multiple hospitals, including Kingston General Hospital (KGH) and Hotel Dieu Hospital, both integral to Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), offering specialized medical services and acting as regional referral centers; the city also boasts various primary care clinics and family doctors for general medical services, routine check-ups, and preventive care, and assistance in finding a family doctor is available through Health Care Connect, friends or family, or KCHC – Immigrant Services; additional details can be found at the Weller Clinic.