Frequently asked questions

Choosing a welcoming Francophone community offers many benefits for newcomers to Nanaimo and British Columbia. At CFA Nanaimo, we provide support to help you feel at home and settle in easily, including:

• Assistance with settling in Nanaimo: Guidance on housing, daily life, schools, and local services.

• Support for job search and professional integration: Help navigating the job market and connecting with career opportunities.

• Community events and activities: Opportunities to socialize, meet new people, and build meaningful relationships.

• Cultural orientation: Activities to help you better understand Canadian culture, interact with the local community, and adapt to your new environment.

• Referrals to local services: Connections to community resources tailored to your specific needs.

• Personalized support: Every situation is unique, so we offer tailored support to ensure everyone feels valued and supported.

Nanaimo is an ideal place for families, thanks to its natural surroundings, beaches, and parks with tall trees that offer wonderful spaces for play and exploration. The city of Nanaimo is quiet and safe, with plenty of accessible sports facilities such as swimming pools and ice rinks, as well as community centers and vibrant libraries.

Here, if you wish, your children can complete their entire education in French, from kindergarten through high school!

Through the Nanaimo Francophone Association and the CFA, you can also enjoy activities and events designed to foster social connections and community life.

Nanaimo is a small, vibrant community ideally located on Vancouver Island, across from Vancouver. The city offers everything you need: shopping centers, schools, daycare centers (some French-speaking), sports and cultural activities—all in a stunning setting at the foot of Mount Benson and surrounded by numerous beaches.

The climate is mild year-round; you won’t experience the harsh Canadian winter here: no need for heavy coats or snow boots, but a good raincoat will come in handy on rainy days!

Our liaison officer is specially trained to assist you with all your needs from the moment you arrive. They can help you navigate the Canadian administrative system: driver’s licenses, Social Insurance Numbers, MSP health cards, opening a bank account, enrolling in school, and much more. They will do everything possible to support you every step of the way!

Once these initial steps are complete, the CFA and its partners can continue to support you: training, job search, exploring Canadian culture, and integration into the Francophone community through our many activities and events.

Thanks to our local expertise, we can connect you with the services best suited to your situation. We know which industries are hiring and the specific needs of the region.

CFA Nanaimo has a network of partners in the region and throughout British Columbia. Our partners can offer you training, support you in your job search, and help you build professional connections and networks within the Francophone community. We can help you see things more clearly and guide you!

Yes! Our goal is for you to feel at home in Nanaimo, and we know that to achieve this, it’s important to build a network and meet new people.

The CFA organizes many activities and events to foster connections within the Francophone community. We want everyone to feel welcome, gain a better understanding of Canada, and build lasting relationships. A strong community is a valuable source of support for all newcomers!

CFA Nanaimo is not a training organization, but we work with specialized partners and can refer you to programs tailored to your needs.

For English—which is essential for settling in and fully integrating—we offer conversation circles to build confidence and expand your vocabulary. Our partner, CVIMS, also offers courses for beginners to help you learn and adapt to your new life in Nanaimo.

CFA Nanaimo’s services are primarily intended for permanent residents, refugees, and certain temporary residents. If you have questions about your situation, please contact us; we’ll guide you to ensure you receive the best possible support.

And don’t worry if you don’t fall into these categories: some of our free activities are open to everyone, and the Association des francophones de Nanaimo can also step in and assist you with any specific requests. You’ll never be on your own!

No, CFA Nanaimo does not offer immigration-related services. Our services are intended for individuals who have valid immigration status in Canada and wish to settle or integrate into the Nanaimo area.

Yes! All of our services and activities are free. We are a community-based, non-profit organization, and we want everyone to be able to benefit from our support, activities, and events to integrate, build connections, and discover Nanaimo’s Francophone community—without any financial barriers.

It’s very simple! Contact our liaison officer by filling out the online form. They will get back to you as soon as possible.

Important: To best assist you and verify your eligibility, we may ask you for information about your situation in Canada and your immigration status. This information is stored securely and will never be shared with third parties.

CFA Nanaimo offers a wide range of French-language activities and events throughout the year, catering to all audiences, ages, and interests: art, family, sports, employment, community life, settling in, and more.

Most of these activities are free or offered at a reduced rate for our members. There’s truly something for everyone! To learn more, sign up for our newsletter, and check out our activities and events page as well as our social media channels.

Absolutely! CFA Nanaimo can help you with every step of the process of settling in and integrating into the community. Here’s some information to keep in mind, but feel free to contact us to learn more!

The Francophone community on Vancouver Island is vibrant and growing rapidly. Families can enjoy a Francophone environment ranging from daycare to high school, as well as a Francophone summer camp organized annually by the Association des francophones de Nanaimo. The community gathers frequently around Océane School and at numerous events and activities, with the highlight being the Maple Syrup Festival in February.

For work, English is often required, but there are opportunities in French-language education. Other sectors hiring include tourism, healthcare, and construction, with the option to train locally for many in-demand trades.

Nanaimo is a great place to start a new life in Canada: you’ll find all the essential services here—shopping centers, a hospital, Service Canada—all easily accessible by bus, combining the advantages of a small town with all the services you need to settle in comfortably. You’ll also enjoy a beautiful environment and mild winters!