BC 211
Call or text 📞 2-1-1 to find support and services for all types of life difficulties. The services are for free, are available 24/7, and in over 150 languages.
BC 211 can help you connect to many different programs and services, including:
basic needs like food and shelter
mental health and addictions support
legal and financial help
support for seniors, and much more
For more information on the services, please visit: https://bc.211.ca/
Common Scams
1. Phone or email scams
Some people use scams to trick other people and get their money. These people are called scammers.
There are dishonest people called scammers who introduce themselves as:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA)
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
These government departments will not ask for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or credit card information by phone or email. If you receive a phone call or an email asking for this information, it is a scam. If this happens, please ignore, hang up, do not answer the text or email, and report the call/text to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
You can always contact your settlement worker to get help.
2. Scams on housing websites such as:
Some of the housing ads on these websites are fake. Please double check the housing ad with a Settlement Worker or a friend before accepting the rental offer. If you don’t have a Settlement Worker, please go to the Get Help page.
Here is a list of website that have housing ads:
Tenancy Rights
As a tenant, you have rights and responsibilities that you must know so that you can protect yourself.
For more information, please visit www.tenants.bc.ca
Things you can do:
If you want to file a complaint, you can do so with the the Residential Tenancy Branch
If you need help, please contact your Settlement Worker
If you do not have a Settlement Worker, please go to the Get Help page for more information
Public Holidays
These are the holidays in British Columbia and Canada. Some services may be closed on these days or the days before and after them.
New Years Day, (January 1st),
Family Day, (3rd Monday of February),
Holy Week, (Depending on the year, ranging from mid-March to mid-April),
Easter Sunday,
Easter Monday,
Good Friday,
Victoria Day, (the Monday after May 25th),
Canada Day, (July 1st),
B.C. Day, (August 1st),
Labour Day, (1st Monday of September),
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, (September 30th),
Thanksgiving Day, (2nd Monday of October),
Remembrance Day, (November 11th),
Christmas Day, (December 25th).
Transit Information
Public transportation, called ‘TransLink’, is available across the Lower Mainland. Here is some information on Translink:
SkyTrain
The SkyTrain is an above ground train by TransLink. It runs across the Mainland. There are three SkyTrain lines:
Millennium Line: Runs from Vancouver, to Burnaby, to New Westminster, to Coquitlam, to Port Coquitlam, and to Port Moody.
Expo Line: Runs from Vancouver, to Burnaby, to New Westminster, to Coquitlam, and to Surrey.
Canada Line: Runs from Vancouver to Richmond.
You can check the locations of the stations and the train schedule on Google Maps.
Buses
There are more buses than the SkyTrain lines. All buses are under one zone. When you are at a bus stop, you can use Google Maps on your cell phone to check for the buses and their schedules.
Zones
There are three fare zones:
Zone 1 - Vancouver
Zone 2 - Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver
Zone 3 - Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, Delta, Langley, Pitt Meadows, and Maple Ridge
The cost of each SkyTrain trip will be different depending on where you want to go and which line you are taking. Here are some helpful tips:
All buses are one zone; all children under 12 can ride on the bus for free
On weekends and Public Holidays, all the SkyTrain lines are one zone. After 6:30 PM on a weekday, all the SkyTrain lines are one zone
For more information, please visit Pricing and Fare Zones | TransLink.
Types of Payment
Cash: Pay with Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Contactless Payment: Pay with a MasterCard or Visa credit card
Compass Card: Pay with a reloadable fare card
For more information, please visit Compass Card | TransLink
Cost
There is a range of costs depending on:
Whether you are paying by cash, contactless or compass card
Concession: If you are 65 or older, you are between 14-18, or you have a disability
Which Zone(s) you are travelling through
If you are buying a one-journey ticket, a day pass or a monthly pass
Transportation on Vancouver Island
Victoria
Victoria Regional Transit System runs buses seven days a week serving the Greater Victoria region including the Victoria International Airport, all ferry terminals (Sidney, Swartz Bay, Brentwood Bay, Ogden Point and Inner Harbour), the downtown core and western communities (Langford, Colwood, Sooke and Metchosin).
You should buy a $5 Day Pass for a day
If you are over 19, you can use your $5 Day Pass for you and 4 children who are under 12 for free
Here is a link to find out more information about Victoria Regional Transit System and where to buy a ticket: Victoria Transit Information
NANAIMO
How to get to Nanaimo from Vancouver:
BC Ferries, with 2 terminals at Departure Bay and Duke Point, links Nanaimo with Vancouver
Bus Services/Transportation in Nanaimo:
This is where transit runs in Nanaimo:
Region from Cedar, in the south of the RDN, to Electoral Area H, in the North, including the City of Nanaimo, District of Lantzville, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and surrounding rural areas.
Here is a link to find a route in Nanaimo: Schedules and Maps
Fares:
Includes: Day pass, Monthly pass, and 10 Tickets to get around Nanaimo Island
Information Line for Transit Nanaimo Area: 250-390-4531
Parksville/Qualicum Beach Area: 250-954-1001
General Office: 1-877-607-4111
OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT
Double-decker bus
Other Settlement Support
Please speak with your Settlement Worker to get more settlement-related information and help you with opening a bank account, finding English language classes, accessing family support services, and more. If you do not have a Settlement Worker, please go to the Get Help page for more information.