Master Glossary
2
A free helpline and online directory connecting Canadians to local social and community services.
A
A confirmation from IRCC that your immigration application has been received and is being processed.
B
Fingerprints and a digital photo collected by IRCC as part of an immigration application.
C
Canada's national postal service responsible for mail and parcel delivery.
The government agency responsible for managing Canada's borders and customs.
A monthly tax-free payment from the Canadian government to help families with the cost of raising children.
An Express Entry immigration stream for people with Canadian work experience.
A temporary government benefit paid to Canadians who lost work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legal status of being a Canadian citizen with full rights including the right to vote and hold a Canadian passport.
Canada's national standard for describing English language proficiency for immigration purposes.
A federal crown corporation that provides mortgage insurance and housing research in Canada.
An official document confirming you have been granted permanent residence in Canada.
A mandatory retirement pension plan that working Canadians and their employers contribute to.
The federal agency responsible for collecting taxes and administering tax benefits.
The process of having foreign educational and professional credentials assessed and recognized in Canada.
A record of your past borrowing and repayment behaviour used by lenders to assess your reliability.
A number between 300 and 900 that represents your creditworthiness to lenders.
A point-based score used in Express Entry to rank candidates for permanent residence.
D
A Canadian school or university approved by the government to host international students.
When your employer deposits your pay directly into your bank account.
The upfront cash amount paid toward the purchase of a home.
E
A government benefit that provides temporary income replacement if you lose your job or cannot work.
Language instruction programs in Canadian schools and community centres designed for non-English speakers.
A digital entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada.
Canada's points-based immigration system for skilled worker applications.
F
A primary care physician who provides ongoing health care for individuals and families.
The first month and last month of rent paid upfront when signing a lease in Ontario.
A charitable organization that distributes free food to individuals and families in need.
G
Ontario's beginner's driving licence, the first step in the graduated licensing system.
A Government of Canada analytical tool for assessing how policies affect diverse groups.
A low-risk Canadian investment that guarantees a fixed return over a set period.
A 5% federal tax applied to most goods and services purchased in Canada.
A quarterly tax-free payment from the CRA to help low and modest income Canadians offset sales taxes paid.
H
A government-issued card that proves your eligibility for publicly funded healthcare in your province.
A combined federal and provincial sales tax used in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and PEI.
The Canadian term for electricity, used because much of Canada's power is generated through hydroelectric dams.
I
A standardized English language proficiency test widely used in Canadian immigration applications.
A personalized learning plan for students with special education needs in Canadian schools.
A Canadian system for sending and receiving money electronically between bank accounts.
The federal government department that manages immigration, refugees, and citizenship.
The federal regulations that govern immigration law in Canada.
L
The formal process of arriving in Canada for the first time as a permanent resident.
A person or company that owns a rental property and rents it out to tenants.
A legally binding contract between a tenant and landlord outlining the terms of renting a property.
Free or subsidized legal services provided to people who cannot afford a lawyer.
A federally funded free English language program for adult newcomers.
Ontario's tribunal that resolves disputes between landlords and tenants.
M
The lowest hourly rate an employer is legally allowed to pay an employee.
A loan used to purchase a home, secured by the property itself.
British Columbia's publicly funded health insurance program.
Property tax collected by local municipalities to fund local services like garbage, roads, and libraries.
N
A person who has recently immigrated to Canada.
A special bank account package designed for newcomers with benefits like no monthly fees and free transactions.
A document from the CRA summarizing your tax return and confirming your income.
The line on your Notice of Assessment showing your total income for the year.
Canada's system for classifying and describing occupations used in immigration applications.
The updated National Occupational Classification system using Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities categories.
A penalty fee charged by a bank when you do not have enough money in your account for a transaction.
O
A monthly pension provided by the federal government to Canadians aged 65 and older.
Ontario's publicly funded health insurance program that covers most medical services.
Ontario's social assistance program providing financial and employment support to those in need.
Ontario's financial aid program for post-secondary students.
P
A document from your employer showing how much you earned and what deductions were taken from your pay.
A person who has been granted the right to live and work in Canada permanently.
A work permit available to international students who have completed a program at a Canadian DLI.
A Canadian immigration pathway allowing provinces to nominate skilled workers for permanent residence.
An official location where newcomers are admitted into Canada, such as an international airport or land border crossing.
Official photo ID proving your status as a permanent resident of Canada.
An automatic payment authorized by you that allows a company to withdraw money from your bank account.
A reloadable transit payment card used across most transit systems in Ontario.
A trial period at the beginning of employment during which an employer evaluates a new employee.
A tax paid by property owners to their local municipality based on the assessed value of their property.
Someone who has been officially recognized as a refugee in Canada and is eligible to apply for permanent residence.
R
A person who has arrived in Canada and asked for protection as a refugee but has not yet been officially recognized.
An occupation in Canada that requires a provincial licence or certification to practice legally.
Provincial rules that limit how much a landlord can increase rent each year.
A document your employer provides when your employment ends, needed to apply for Employment Insurance.
A Canadian retirement savings account where contributions reduce your taxable income.
S
A regional government body responsible for managing public schools in a specific area.
A credit card backed by a cash deposit that helps newcomers build Canadian credit history.
A sum of money paid upfront by a tenant as protection for the landlord against damage or unpaid rent.
A government network of offices where newcomers can apply for SIN, EI, and other benefits.
A non-profit organization funded by the government to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada.
A 9-digit number required to work legally in Canada and access government programs.
An official document allowing a foreign national to study at a designated learning institution in Canada.
When a tenant rents out their unit to another person while still being responsible for the lease.
T
A tax form from your employer showing your total employment income and deductions for the year.
An annual filing submitted to the CRA that reports your income and calculates taxes owed or refunded.
A person who rents and occupies a property owned by a landlord.
Insurance coverage for a tenant's personal belongings and liability within a rental unit.
A Canadian savings account where investment growth and withdrawals are tax-free.
A pass that allows unlimited rides on public transportation for a set period.
U
Essential services such as electricity, gas, water, and internet provided to a rental unit.
V
An official document or stamp authorizing a person to enter a country.
A cheque marked "VOID" used to provide your banking details for direct deposit or pre-authorized payments.
W
A medical clinic where patients can receive healthcare without an appointment.
A document authorizing a foreign national to work in Canada temporarily.