If this is your first year in Canada, you will want to explore. There are so many things to see and do. We have some suggestions to make your exploring less costly. There are many free or low-cost options for newcomers in Canada. We encourage you to use these resources available to you as a new immigrant.
Download the Canoo App
Canoo is a mobile app offered by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. The Canoo app gives new immigrants access to 1400+ museums, science centres, art galleries, parks, and historic sites in Canada. A few examples include:
- Free admission to Parks Canada
- Free admission to spaces like the Vancouver Museum, the Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World, and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.
If you are a new Canadian citizen, you can use this app in your first year in Canada. If you’re a permanent resident, you can use this app within your first 5 years in Canada.
Browse Your Local Library’s Website for Inspiration
Many libraries throughout BC offer information on free activities and resources. Head over to your library’s website to see what they have for you. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, go to your library’s information desk and ask a librarian! For example:
- Surrey Libraries offer low-cost and free activities in the community of Surrey, BC. There is free swimming; discount passes to recreation centres, and much more.
- Thompson-Nicola Regional Library (TNRL) has community passes. These passes give you free entry to local wildlife and recreational experiences in the Thompson-Nicola area.
- Whistler Public Library offers unusual things to borrow so you can create your own adventure. Choose from board games, microscopes, telescopes, and more.
Each library is unique, so we encourage you to visit your library’s website to find out what’s available for you.
Check out Community Events and Activities
Every community throughout BC has an active events page. Type in the name of your city and the word ‘events’ in a search engine browser to see what is offered in your community. There are many free outdoor concerts, community events, and activities free of charge. For example:
- The City of Vancouver’s Sunset Cinema is a free outdoor movie at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
- The District of Saanich’s Cadboro Bay Festival is a fun day for the family at Gyro Park. There will be hands-on activities, giant lawn games, information displays, live music, arts and crafts stations and food and fun for the entire family.
- In Fort St. John, enjoy Music in the Park on Thursday evenings throughout the summer.
We know that there is a lot to explore, see and do in BC. These are just a few ways you can enjoy your new country without having to spend a lot of money. Please share this information with anyone who will benefit from this. We hope you enjoy exploring your new home this summer.