Canada: Help and advice abroad

Public employment services

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)  is a federal organisation that operates a variety of programmes and services in more than 320 offices across Canada. Local addresses and telephone numbers are provided on the website.

There are many immigrant-serving organisations in Canada that provide assistance to those emigrating on a permanent basis. See the Citizenship and Immigration Canada  website and in particular its list of publications.

Higher education careers support

The majority of Canadian universities have careers services that are run along similar lines to those in the UK. They provide careers information, education and guidance for graduates and students. Contact individual universities for more information.

WorkopolisCampus.com  is a website aimed at students and recent graduates and provides a range of services including job postings, information on national hiring campaigns and careers advice, including help with résumé writing.

Help in an emergency

The national emergency number in Canada:

• 911 - for police, fire and ambulance services. Calls to this number are free.

Most communities also operate additional emergency and non-emergency lines for local services and it is worth familiarising yourself with these on arrival.

In case of an emergency it may be worth contacting the British High Commission in Canada , which is located in Ottawa. You can email consular.assistanceottawa@fco.gov.uk with your query or call (+1) 613 237 1530. You will also be able to find the British consulate nearest to you. The British High Commission can help with issues such as issuing replacement passports, providing assistance to victims of crime or serious assault, and making special arrangements in cases of terrorism, civil disturbances or natural disasters.