New to Thunder Bay?
A starting point for Nepali newcomers, families, and students.
🚨 Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police / Fire / Ambulance | 911 |
| Thunder Bay Police (non-emergency) | 807-684-1200 |
| Crisis Line (mental health crisis) | 807-346-8282 |
| Health811 (formerly Telehealth Ontario) | 811 or 1-866-797-0000 |
| 211 Ontario (community services) | 211 |
Always call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
📋 Newcomer Checklist
Use this as a general guide. Not all steps apply to everyone, confirm requirements with official sources.
Jump to a Topic
🪪 Documents and ID
- ✓ Ensure your passport, study permit, work permit, or PR card is valid and accessible
- ✓ Keep copies of all important documents in a safe place
- ✓ Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) at a Service Canada location
- ✓ Apply for an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card, note the waiting period
- ✓ Apply for a driver's licence or photo ID card at a ServiceOntario location
Official sources: canada.ca · ontario.ca/serviceontario · ircc.canada.ca
🏥 Health Care
- ✓ Register for OHIP, note there is a waiting period before coverage begins; ask about private insurance in the meantime
- ✓ Find a family doctor or nurse practitioner, there may be a waiting list
- ✓ Locate your nearest walk-in clinic and hospital
- ✓ Register children with a paediatrician if needed
Lakehead University students: contact the Student Health and Wellness Centre. Official source: ontario.ca health and wellness
💰 Banking
- ✓ Open a Canadian bank account
- ✓ Major banks in Thunder Bay include TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC, and credit unions
- ✓ Ask about newcomer accounts with reduced or waived fees
- ✓ Understand that your credit history starts fresh in Canada
Tip: Bring your passport, SIN, and proof of address when opening an account.
🏠 Housing
- ✓ Confirm your address for government registrations
- ✓ Understand your rights as a tenant in Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act applies
- ✓ Contact the Landlord and Tenant Board for official tenant rights information
- ✓ 211 Ontario can help connect you with housing resources
NEST provides general pointers only. NEST does not place people in housing.
🏫 Schools and Children
- ✓ Children are entitled to attend publicly funded schools in Ontario
- ✓ Register with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board or Lakehead District School Board
- ✓ Ask about English as a Second Language (ESL) programs if needed
- ✓ Lakehead University and Confederation College offer programs for adults
Official sources: tbcdsb.on.ca · lakeheadschools.ca
🚌 Transportation
- ✓ Thunder Bay Transit operates bus routes throughout the city
- ✓ A car is very helpful in Thunder Bay, especially in winter
- ✓ To drive in Ontario you will need an Ontario driver's licence; check the foreign-licence exchange program
- ✓ Thunder Bay is not as walkable as larger cities, plan accordingly
Official sources: thunderbay.ca transit · ontario.ca driving
❄️ Winter Preparation
Thunder Bay winters are long, cold, and snowy. This is one of the most important things for newcomers to know.
- ✓ Invest in proper winter clothing: insulated boots, thermal layers, a heavy coat, hat, scarf, mittens or gloves
- ✓ Learn about frostbite prevention and wind chill
- ✓ If you drive, ensure your car has winter tires
- ✓ Keep an emergency kit in your car (blanket, sand/salt, jumper cables, flashlight)
- ✓ Temperatures can drop to -30°C or lower with wind chill
Winter in Thunder Bay is beautiful, but it requires preparation. Ask your Nepali community friends for tips too.
💼 Employment
- ✓ NEST does not place people in jobs, but we can point you in useful directions
- ✓ See our Resources page for the largest Thunder Bay employers and their careers pages
- ✓ Always check the employer's own careers page for current, up-to-date openings and how to apply
- ✓ Check the federal Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca) and call 211 for employment and training resources
- ✓ Confederation College and Lakehead University offer career services for students
- ✓ Internationally trained professionals may need credential recognition; IRCC and provincial authorities can advise
🎓 Student Life
- ✓ Lakehead University and Confederation College are the main post-secondary institutions
- ✓ Both have international student offices and settlement support
- ✓ Know your visa conditions, work hours, co-op rules, study requirements
- ✓ Reach out to the Nepali student community through NEST events and @tbaynepali
🧠 Mental Well-Being
Adjusting to a new country, city, climate, and sometimes a new language is genuinely hard. It is normal to feel lonely, uncertain, or overwhelmed, especially at first. You are not alone, and asking for help is a sign of strength.
- ✓ Canadian Mental Health Association, Thunder Bay
- ✓ Health811 (formerly Telehealth Ontario): call 811 or 1-866-797-0000
- ✓ Crisis Line: 807-346-8282
- ✓ Talk to your family doctor about mental health support
- ✓ Connect with community, NEST events can be a genuine source of comfort
🤝 Settlement Agencies in Thunder Bay
These agencies provide professional settlement and integration support. NEST points newcomers to these organizations, we do not duplicate their services.
Thunder Bay Multicultural Association (TBMA)
Settlement services, language programs, and community support for newcomers.
211 Ontario
Call 211 or visit 211ontario.ca for local service referrals across the region.
IRCC
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, ircc.canada.ca
ServiceOntario & Service Canada
Have a General Community Question?
NEST volunteers can share community pointers and connect you with verified resources. We cannot provide legal, immigration, medical, financial, housing, or professional advice, and we cannot guarantee a reply. For anything urgent, contact the appropriate official service.
