Social Assistance

Helping those in financial need.

Our department helps people who are in financial need. It offers two types of assistance:

• Financial assistance, including:
  • income support to help with the costs of basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter
  • health benefits for clients and their families
• Employment assistance to help clients find, prepare for and keep a job. This assistance may include:
  • workshops on resume writing and interviewing
  • job counselling
  • job-specific training
  • access to basic education, so clients can finish high school or improve their language skills

In most cases, a client must agree to participate in employment assistance activities in order to receive financial assistance.

Emergency assistance is also available to people who are in a crisis or an emergency situation (e.g. people who have lost their homes, are leaving an abusive relationship and/or are worried about their safety).