Living in Manitoba A resource guide for immigrant women Second Edition Minister’s Message Welcome to Manitoba! As Manitoba’s Minister responsible for the Status of Women, it is my pleasure to present the second edition of Living in Manitoba: a Resource Guide for Immigrant Women. I would like to thank the members of the Immigrant Women’s Resource Guide Advisory Committee, who were instrumental in developing the frst edition of this book. Moving to a new country can be exciting. However, we know that leaving one’s home country and settling in a new country is often an overwhelming and stressful experience, and that it can be lonely at frst. We hope that this guide will help you and your family adapt to life in Manitoba. Manitoba has long been a destination for newcomers from around the world. We are proud of the diversity of cultures and traditions in our province. Immigration and multiculturalism contribute to the strength of our communities, and bring opportunities for growth and development. We are pleased that you have come to live in our province, and wish you success and happiness as you build a new future here. Thank you for choosing Manitoba as your new home. Jennifer Howard Minister of Labour and Immigration Minister charged with the Administration of the Workers Compensation Act Minister responsible for the Status of Women Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities CONTENTS Introduction .......................................................................................5 Women in Canada ............................................................................6 Settling in Manitoba.........................................................................7 The Entry Program ..........................................................................8 Take English Classes .......................................................................8 Settlement Agencies ......................................................................9 Learn about Your Community ........................................................9 Visit a Library ...................................................................................11 Working in Manitoba .....................................................................12 Educational Requirements ...........................................................12 Employment Services ...................................................................13 Labour Laws ...................................................................................14 Self Employment ...........................................................................15 Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) .................................15 Volunteering ..................................................................................16 Family Life in Manitoba .................................................................18 Parenting and Family Life .............................................................18 Financial Support for Parents .......................................................22 Recreation ......................................................................................24 Religion and Spirituality ................................................................27 Children in Manitoba – Their Care, Education and Health .....28 Child Care ......................................................................................28 Staying Safe ...................................................................................34 Education .......................................................................................36 Health .............................................................................................43 2 Living in Manitoba ..........................................................................48 Private Rental Housing .................................................................48 Public Housing ..............................................................................52 Money Management ....................................................................53 Laws in Manitoba ............................................................................56 Rights and Responsibilities ..........................................................56 Domestic Abuse ............................................................................57 Separation and Divorce ................................................................60 Police ..............................................................................................66 Women’s Health ..............................................................................68 How to Find a Family Doctor .......................................................70 Your Rights and Responsibilities ..................................................71 Women’s Reproductive Health ....................................................71 HIV and AIDS .................................................................................72 Home Care Program .....................................................................73 Disabilities ......................................................................................74 Mental Health ................................................................................75 Senior Women .................................................................................76 Elder Abuse ...................................................................................77 Financial Support for Senior Women ..........................................78 Climate ..............................................................................................82 Resources in Manitoba ..................................................................85 3 4 Introduction This guide has information for women who have moved to Manitoba from other countries. Some of the content in this resource guide was adapted from the Challenges for Newcomer Parents in Manitoba, Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Citizenship, 1998. There is a resource section at the end of the book. It lists the many organizations that can help you. If there is something you can’t fnd, or if you have any suggestions for future guides, please contact: Manitoba Status of Women Division 409 – 401 York Avenue Winnipeg MB R3C 0P8 Phone: 204-945-6281 Toll Free: 1-800-263-0234 E-mail: Women in Canada Canada has a reputation worldwide for the positive way women are treated. We, as women, have the same rights as men. Today, in this country, women enjoy opportunities our mothers and grandmothers could only dream of. It is common for Canadian women to work outside the home, whether we have children or not. Some of us choose to stay home to raise our children. Others work part time. We are encouraged to make our own choices about our family and work lives. Some of us do the same kinds of jobs as men, and are entitled to the same wages. Sometimes we earn more money than our husbands, and are the main breadwinners in the family. Many of us work in jobs that used to be considered men’s jobs. For example, the number of women in management and executive positions is growing in Canada. Across Canada, women are in politics – at local, provincial and national levels. As elected leaders, they work for the beneft of all people. In the 2007 provincial election in Manitoba, more women were elected to the Manitoba legislature than ever before. You will notice that women in Manitoba have many opportunities available to us. We have the right to vote, work, go to school, and express opinions about issues that matter to us. We have control over our own bodies. We can practise our own religion, without fear of persecution, and we are entitled to receive paid maternity leave when we have a baby. In many Canadian families, men and women share the housework and childcare. 6 Having all of these choices may be new to you. In time, you will understand the rights that you have in Canada and come to appreciate them. Our country is a democratic and equal society. Settling in Manitoba Each person’s experience of moving to Canada is different. At frst, you may feel excited, especially if you chose to come here and waited a long time to do so. You may feel safety, relief and protection if you came as a refugee or if you left a diffcult situation in your country. You might, however, feel unhappy if you were forced to leave your country. Newcomers must adjust to a new climate, clothing, lifestyle, customs and housing. You might have to learn new skills, a new language and fnd a new kind of job. As you become more familiar with your new home, you sometimes may feel sad, depressed and angry. You might feel overwhelmed by the challenges ahead of you, and the loneliness of leaving your home, friends and family. Many things about Canada may confuse and upset you. At times you might not know what to do. These feelings are normal and happen to many newcomers. Gradually, you will start to settle into your new life. You will make new friends and feel less isolated. You will be more active in your community. For some, this process happens quickly. For others, it may take several years to feel as if you ft in. A positive attitude will help you cope with the adjustments that lie ahead of you. This guide will help you fnd the programs and services that can help you settle and adapt to your new life. 7 The Entry Program – Your frst stop! The Manitoba government offers a program for all newcomer immigrants in Manitoba. It is called the Entry Program. In it, you can learn about living and working in Manitoba. If you have just moved here the Entry Program is the best place to start. In the Entry Program, you will learn about: F s ervices for immigrants – settlement and employment agencies F W innipeg Transit, maps and bus schedules F b anking and shopping F w here to fnd a doctor, dentist, health services F w orking in Manitoba – resumés, workplace health and safety F l aws in Manitoba – family laws, drinking and driving, landlord and tenant, safety tips, police services For more information, contact: Entry Program 4th Floor, 259 Portage Avenue Winnipeg MB R3B 2A9 Phone: 204-944-0133 E-mail: Before you can take English classes, you must have your English language assessed. This assessment can take up to three hours. You do not have to study or prepare for the assessment. It simply tests your current English level, so that you can go to the right English class for you. The Entry Program will refer you for a free English Language Assessment. After the assessment you will be referred to the most appropriate English class for you. Settlement Agencies Settlement agencies help newcomers fnd the services they need to successfully make Manitoba their new home. Agencies provide free information, orientation and referral to other services. Neighbourhood Immigrant Settlement Workers Several communities in Winnipeg have their own neighbourhood immigrant settlement workers. They welcome newcomers into the community, help them fnd services in the neighbourhood, and help them get settled and comfortable. Settlement workers introduce newcomers to each other, and run community events where you can meet other residents. For a complete list of settlement agencies in Manitoba, see the resource section at the back of this guide. Learn about Your Community As you meet people in your community, you will begin to feel more a part of it. Here are some things you can do: F I ntroduce yourself to your neighbours. F L earn the names of your children’s friends. Introduce yourself to their parents. F A ttend free, public events and concerts. F R ead the newspaper, the free weekly papers, listen to the radio, watch TV. 9