Kijiji is A platform for private transactions and services such as rental properties, employment, buying used vehicles, clothing and housewares, etc.

Facebook Marketplace A private transaction platform through Facebook that operates similarly to Kijiji.

Coupon Cutie Canada Instagram and Facebook accounts that share a variety of sales and coupons.

Amazon Online retailer that offers the largest selection of everyday items and quick shipping options.

Ukraine Safe Haven provides support to displaced Ukrainians arriving in Canada.

Transportation:

You can find information about bussing, LRT and other public transportation services here.

• In Alberta destinations are pretty spaced out, be prepared to spend some time travelling between two locations.

Bike lanes – there are a few bike lanes in Edmonton and Calgary

• Sport Central – you can find free bicycles and sporting equipment for your child here. This service is available in Edmonton and is for residents that hold the LAP and Transit Pass. You must obtain a referral from a settlement agency before booking an appointment with Spot Central.

Taxi/Uber – These services are available but fairly expensive.

• Uber – is available in most major cities.

Communications:

List of Canadian Mobile Providers There is several mobile providers to choose from in Canada. Mobile phone plans are much more expensive than in Ukraine. It is most cost effective to sign up for a monthly plan where you pay the same amount each month as long as you do not go over your monthly limit. Pre-pay or pay as you go options tend to be more expensive. The average monthly plan is around $50-65/ month.

List of TV Providers in Alberta There are two major cable providers in Canada: Telus and Shaw. The cable package you choose will determine the number of channels you can access.

List of Internet Providers in Alberta The biggest internet providers in Canada are Telus and Shaw.

• Both providers offer a discount if you sign up for more than one service (for example internet, tv, mobile)
• You can find free wifi in most public places.

Groceries:

Food Banks Alberta list of the locations & phone numbers for food banks across Alberta that provide food support.

List of Grocery Stores in Alberta Food can be purchased at various grocery and convenience stores. See your local store for details. Prices vary by store. Superstore/No Frills/Walmart generally has the best prices. Superstore & Walmart also offer cosmetics and hygiene products, clothes, housewares, and pet food.

There are many specialty stores where you can find European products, such as The Italian Centre (Edmonton and Calgary), Baltyk Bakery and Deli (Edmonton), Polonia Deli (Edmonton), Kalyna European Food Store (Calgary), European Market (Calgary), and Polcan European Deli (Calgary).

Some stores offer point collection programs with additional savings. Sales and promotions are common.

• PCOptimum – Offers and discounts for Superstore and Shoppers Drug Mart
• Gasbuddy – Locations to purchase the cheapest gas

Parking:

Edmonton and Calgary offer private and public parking spaces. Make sure you pay attention to which spots require paid parking, especially near universities and downtown areas. Cities typically enforce the parking laws strictly, if you park in a paid parking area without payment expect either a steep fine or even getting towed. Some paid parking areas have times of day when there is free parking (e.g. a certain hour or day).

EPark – is the paid parking service in Edmonton

311 – you can phone this number to ask question about services in your city (they have Ukrainian language interpreters).

Red Deer

Extracurricular

There are many extracurricular activities for children within Alberta: Sports, Arts, Dance, Music, Scouts, etc. You will have to register and pay for most programs; programs vary in price. Some facilities/programs offer discounts to low income and newcomer families.

When school closes for the summer, there are many day camps for children that vary in price.

Ukrainian Businesses, Museums, and Historic Sites in Alberta

Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association if you are interested in Ukrainian dancing, you can find your local Ukrainian dance community here.

Alberta Soccer Association if you are interested in playing soccer, you can find your local soccer community here.

Alberta School of Music if you are interested in taking Music Lessons, you can find local programming here.

Big Brother Big Sisters is an organization to promote healthy minds, bodies, and people.

CYM Edmonton Ukrainian Youth Association is a youth leadership group in Edmonton that promotes Ukrainian language, culture, & traditions.

CYM Calgary Ukrainian Youth Association is a youth leadership group in Calgary that promotes Ukrainian language, culture, & traditions.

CYMK-UOY is a Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Group in Alberta that promotes faith, service, & leadership.

Green Shack Program is organized by community leagues for children during the summer. They usually take place in playgrounds and are free of charge. These are not daycare programs and kids should not be left unattended.

Jumpstart – Canadian Tire gives families financial means to participate in sports and recreation.

Kidsport Canada provides grants to help cover the registration costs so all kids aged 18 and under can play a season of sport.

Catholic Social Services Homework Club: Tuesdays 5-7 pm ( in person) & Thursdays online 5-7 pm

Ourkids list of camps for kids in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, to overnight camps in the foothills and the northern part of the province.

ParticipACTION provides informational resources for Canadians to make physical activity a vital part of their everyday life.

Plast Edmonton is a Ukrainian youth leadership organization in Edmonton that promotes outdoor activities & life skill development.

Plast Calgary is a youth leadership organization in Calgary that promotes outdoor activities & lifeskill development.

Recreation pass and transit discounts – Edmonton

The Leisure Access Program (LAP) allows low-income residents of Edmonton to access City of Edmonton recreation facilities, which offer amenities such as fitness centres, swimming pools, and other wellness programs.
Edmonton provides newly arrived Ukrainians residing in the city with discounted transit passes and free or subsidized leisure passes available to residents with refugee status. General information can be found here, and the application form is available here.

Recreational Pass & Transit Discounts – Calgary

The Fair Entry Program allows eligible low-income Calgarians access to participating City of Calgary programs and services with one application (such as Recreation Fee Assistance and Transit Passes). The passes will be available to Ukrainian newcomers (under CUAET) access to these discounts.
To apply you must work with an eligible social worker, which you can find at the Centre for Newcomers in Calgary. To apply for the Fair Entry program online click here or to apply by mail, fax or drop off click here.