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Children, childcare, and child benefits
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Child safety resources
- Home Alone - Guidelines on what you need to know before leaving your child unsupervised.
- Child Safety - Guidelines to prevent injuries through proper supervision and creating safer environments.
- Child and Teen Safety - Safety tips from Peel Police for keeping children safe and out of trouble.
- Child Car Seat Safety - Information on choosing and installing a child car seat or booster seat, along with recall notices, safety tips, and testing guidelines.
- Report Abuse - Instructions for reporting suspected child abuse. It is the law, and you can make a report by phone without providing personal information.
Child benefits
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides information on child and family benefits. To view the official versions of the CRA factsheet and infographics on benefits and credits in various languages, click here.
Childcare
- Region of Peel offers programs and resources for parents of children aged 0-6 years and for children with special needs. There are two types of child care available: licensed and unlicensed.
- Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan helps you to 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. Licensed child care providers offering reduced fees under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan. To view a list of participating licensed child care providers in Peel, click here.
- 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
- 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.
EarlyON Child and Family Centres
EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free early learning programs for parents and caregivers with children newborn to 6 years of age. These programs offer you opportunities to learn and play with your child, meet other families, and ask early childhood professionals questions.
Support for children with special needs
- Peel Inclusion Resource Services (PIRS) collaborates with families and licensed child care providers to ensure children can fully participate in child care. PIRS is available to children 12 years and under who attend licensed child care in Peel.
- Kids Pathways Peel provides planning and coordination services for families with children and youth up to age 18 with special needs, through a network of community partner agencies in Peel.
- Special Needs Information Peel (SNIP) offers information and resources for individuals with disabilities or barriers that impact their daily functioning. This service supports individuals of all ages, with any diagnosis or query.
- respiteservices.com empowers individuals with differing abilities and their families to lead active and rewarding lives. Through a free database, it connects families with self-employed Respite Providers who meet their unique needs.
Other resources
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Couples
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Counselling is available for mental health and wellness support or for marriage counseling.
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2SLGBTQI+
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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.
- LGBT YouthLine is 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 is 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 helps connect people with health and social service providers who have expressed a commitment to providing competent and welcoming care to 2SLGBTQ communities in Ontario.
- Trans Lifeline is a free helpline offering emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis.
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Parents
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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
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Seniors
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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 Caledon, City 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
- A Guide to Programs and Services for seniors in Ontario is an informative resource designed to help Ontario seniors and their caregivers learn about programs and services provided by the government, community organizations, and service providers. It is available in multiple languages.
- Elder Help Peel offers information about support and services available to help seniors in Peel maintain their self-sufficiency and independence.
- Government Tax Clinics offers free income tax preparation for singles earning $30,000 or less and couples earning $40,000 or less with a simple tax situation. The Peel Multicultural Council also offers tax clinics.
- Mississauga Health’s Seniors Navigation Portal is a user-friendly online tool designed to connect seniors and their caregivers in the Mississauga area with essential services. From meal delivery and transportation to home nursing and caregiver support, the portal helps you quickly find the assistance you need, exactly when and where you need it.
- Peel Elder Abuse Prevention Network provides information on elder abuse, common frauds and scams, and available support to stop or prevent them.
- Planning for Retirement provides tips and information about retirement goals, saving, and investing.
- Region of Peel offers helpful information about services and resources for seniors living in Peel.
- Telecheck Seniors Program provides free ongoing phone support for seniors.
- Thinking About Your Future? Plan Now to Age in Place – A Checklist is a practical tool designed to help seniors make informed decisions for aging safely and comfortably in place.
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Youth
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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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