Peel Region is a wonderful place to raise a family. Our community has many programs, services and support for every member of your family. We have the resources available that will help your family adjust to living here. Getting involved and using our community services can help you build the best new life possible.

Children, childcare, and child benefits

Child safety resources

When leaving children alone for the first time, parents should speak with them to see if they feel comfortable on their own. Explain to the child where you are going, and specify how long you'll be gone. Make sure that the child is emotionally and physically ready to be left alone.

  • Home Alone - Children's Aid Society resource on what you should know when leaving your child unsupervised
  • Peel Public Health - online child safety resources

Peel Police Safety Tips

Peel Police offers safety tips to help keep children safe and out of trouble. 

Car Safety for Children

If you have small children, it is important to know that in Ontario there are special laws for transporting children in cars. These laws are meant to protect children in case of car accidents. For more information visit Car Seat safety website.

Child abuse prevention

If you believe a child is being abused, you need to report it. It's the law. To report abuse you simple make a phone call and you do not have to give your personal information.

Childcare

Region of Peel has programs and resources for parents of children aged 0 – 6 years and for children with special needs. The programs and services are free to all parents and caregivers of young children. There are two types of child care: licensed and unlicensed.

Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan

With the new Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan you’ll pay 53% less for licensed childcare in 2023. For example, the average cost of quality childcare for a toddler will be $32/day starting in January.

Find licensed child care centres

Child Care Info Peel - 905-890-9432 is a free phone service where you can get a list of licensed child care centres in your area. They also provide information and resources to help you choose a child care option that best suits your family's needs.

Child care grants

Licensed Child Care Fee Subsidy is a grant available from the government to help eligible families pay for licensed childcare for children up to 12 years. You will need to apply and must meet eligibility criteria. 

Child benefits

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides information on child and family benefits

Community resources

  • A resourceful guide in caring for children during the viral season by Trillium Health Partners

  • Lookseechecklist.com - Access to developmental information to help you monitor and support your child's healthy development
  • Caringforkids.cps.ca - Information for parents from Canada's Paediatrician

Couples

Counselling is available for mental health and wellness support or for marriage counseling.

LGBTQ

In Peel region, you will find a set of support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex, queer, questioning and Two-Spirit (LGBTTIQQ2S+) people.

These services will support you with making healthy, safe choices and connect you with resources to build a sense of community, reduce feeling disconnected and improve access to important services you need.

Support agencies

  • East Mississauga Community Health Centre 
  • Moyo Health and Community Services - provides health promotion, education, social and support services for people living with, affected by, and at risk of HIV.
  • PFLAG Peel Region - offers local, practical, and emotional peer-to-peer family support for individuals and their loved ones challenged by gender/sexual identity.
  • A Colour Deep - an online community by & for Queer, Trans South Asians to feel valued, share stories/experiences and to connect with others from our communities.
  • Rainbow Salad - a virtual hub to support the 2SLGBTQ+ communities by being an accessible and safe space to share resources, network with peers, find local events, meet community champions and discover 2SLGBTQ+ driven projects in Peel.
  • Rainbow Health Ontario - a website designed to help find health and social service providers who have expressed a commitment to providing competent and welcoming care to LGBT2SQ people in Ontario.
  • Trans Lifeline is a free helpline offering emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis. 

Parents

EarlyON centres offer free high-quality drop-in programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet people and get advice from early childhood professionals. 

Other useful resources for parents

  • Peel Public Health - information and resources for new parents
  • Canada Benefits - government programs and benefits for parents
  • Info Peel - a directory with information on child care, early years or special needs
  • Beststart.org - offers resources for newcomers in multiple languages to support you in your pregnancy and parenting in Canada

Seniors

Peel has a variety of services and resources for older adults, seniors and their families and caregivers, to help them stay healthy and vibrant.

It can be difficult and frustrating for a newcomer senior to understand and adapt to the new ways of doing things in a new country. Visiting your nearest newcomer settlement agency will help you find the right support and connect to the services and resources available for you in Peel.

Older adult/seniors clubs

Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga have several seniors clubs and community groups where you can meet new friends and enjoy many activities.

Faith and worship centres

Peel has many places of faith and worship where you can meet families from your own faith and culture.

Recreation programs

The Town of CaledonCity of Brampton and City of Mississauga offer many recreation programs to help you stay healthy and active. Most of these programs offer discounted rates for seniors.

Public transit discounts

Seniors can pay discounted fares on public transit when travelling across Peel and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Seniors' programs and computer classes

The Afghan Women's Organization offers seniors' programs and the Peel Multicultural Council offers computer classes that focus on social media.

Pension and other financial assistance programs

If you are 65 years or older you could be eligible for some federal government benefits including:

You must meet specific residency or contribution requirements to be eligible for these benefits and, some newcomer seniors may not qualify for these programs.

International benefits

However, some newcomer seniors might qualify for International Benefits. Canada has social security agreements with various countries that help senior newcomers qualify for pensions from Canada and those countries.

Other useful resources

  • Telecheck Seniors Program - a program that provides free ongoing phone support for seniors.
  • Peel Elder Abuse Prevention Network - provides information on elder abuse, common frauds and scams, and supports available to stop or prevent it.
  • A Guide to Programs and Services for seniors in Ontario - provides information about programs and services for Ontario seniors from the Ontario government, community organizations and service providers. The guide is available in many languages.
  • Newcomer Elderly Outreach (Brampton, Caledon and Malton) - helps newcomer seniors learn what supports are available in their community, from government and social service programs, to social norms.
  • Government Tax Clinics - Singles, earning $30,000 or less, and couples, earning $40,000 or less, who have a simple tax situation can get free income tax preparation. The Peel Multicultural Council also offers tax clinics.
  • Planning for Retirement - Tips and information about retirement goals, saving and investing.
  • Elder Help Peel - provides information on support and services available to help you maintain self-sufficiency and independence.
  • Aging in Place - provides information on how and what changes you can make to your home so that you can continue to living in your own home comfortably and independently as you age.
  • Region of Peel - provides helpful online resources for seniors living in Peel.

Youth

Newcomer youth often face many challenges in adjusting to a new environment, culture and language. Many settlement agencies also offer newcomer youth based programs designed specially to make your transition smooth to Canada by promoting a positive and safe environment that encourages independence, confidence and engagement in your community. 

Youth centres

Peel has many youth centres that offer social and recreational activities, information and support, counselling/mentoring and in some cases employment assistance.

Other useful resources

  • Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgmental peer support through telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
  • NewYouth.ca is an easy to understand website with information for newcomer youth. You can find information about daily life, school, work, health, law and much more.
  • Kidshelpphone.ca is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. They offer completely confidential professional counselling, information and referrals and support to young people in both English and French.
  • Settlement.org provides detailed information on keeping newcomer youth safe.

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