There is high demand for workers in high tech, construction, public administration and healthcare.

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Who are the top employers in Ottawa?

There are many employers in Ottawa, including the municipal, provincial and federal governments. Among the larger employers are local hospitals, colleges and universities. Private employers include Calian Technology, Alcatel, Dell and Nortel Networks.

For more information on top employers, go to the Conference Board of Canada site, which provides an updated look at the Ottawa economy every four months.

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How do I find more information about jobs with the municipal, provincial and federal governments?

For jobs at the municipal level, see City of Ottawa Career Opportunities. For jobs with the province, go to Province of Ontario Jobs. For federal government jobs with the Public Service Commission, see www.jobs.gc.ca.

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How long will it take before I can find a job?

The situation is different for each person. It can take a couple of years for newcomers to find a job in their chosen profession. Although the process can be slow, there are many new and established programs to help you find work. The new Immigration Ottawa Initiative (IOI) ensures that the right programs exist to help newcomers to Ottawa find work as quickly as possible.

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How do I get more information about post-secondary education in Ottawa?

The Education section lists all of the public educational institutions in Ottawa. For information on specific programs and courses, visit the websites of individual colleges and universities.

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Where do I find more information about English and French language training?

See Language Training for information on English and French training, as well as language training for specific jobs.

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How do I find housing?

There are many agencies in Ottawa that offer free service to help singles and families find affordable housing. See Finding a Place to Stay for more information.

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Where do I find childcare?

If you are starting school or work and you need childcare, you have several options. Refer to Childcare for more information.

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How do I find other newcomers from my country that are living in Ottawa?

Ottawa has many cultural associations and organizations. See Cultural Associations/Organizations for a list. You can also meet people from your country at community health and recreation centres. Go to the City of Ottawa site for a list of the community recreation centres in the city.

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Where do I get more information about Ontario?

Visit Ontario Immigration for information about the province of Ontario.

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How do I apply to immigrate to Ottawa?

For information on the immigration process, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada or Ontario Immigration

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Will my foreign credentials be recognized in Ottawa?

There are systems in place to evaluate your foreign credentials and to help you apply your experience in the Ottawa workforce. See Recognition of Your Foreign Credentials for more information.

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Who can I contact if I need help when I arrive in Ottawa?

There are many resources in Ottawa, including settlement agencies and cultural associations that offer support and services to newcomers. Refer to First Days for more information.

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What do I do if I need medical care?

Ottawa has services to help you find a doctor or dentist. You can also go to a walk-in clinic if you don’t have a regular doctor or if you need after-hours medical attention.

As a permanent resident of Ottawa, you are eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), a publicly funded program that covers basic health care services.

For more information on finding a doctor and applying for OHIP, see Healthcare.

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Who can I contact if I have other questions?

You can contact someone at the City of Ottawa for more information.

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Is there a checklist or a tool that I can use to prepare for immigrating to Ottawa?

Yes, please refer to the Ottawa Checklist under Why Choose Ottawa for further information on what you can do to prepare before you arrive and once you have arrived in Ottawa.

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