Top 5 services for Filipinos in Canada

Canada is one of the most diverse and multicultural countries in the world. When Canada opens its doors to foreign workers and gives them the opportunity to have immigrant status together with their families, Filipinos become the third largest Asian-Canadian group in the country.  Settling in a new country is not easy but Canada offers Government Services that can help newcomers with the essentials they need to start their life easier. Here are the top five services for Filipinos in Canada.

1. Service Canada – one-stop service portal for Filipinos in Canada

Service Canada is operated by Employment and Social Development Canada to serve as a single point of access for various Government services. As a newcomer, you need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). They will also help you with all the necessary things to do to make your settlement to Canada easier, like getting your Health Card, applying for a driver’s license, Canada child benefits, Pension plan, Apprenticeship program, Job banks, even schools for your children. They will also help you to have your “My Service Canada” Account, for your easy access to all government services online.

• Website: https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/home.shtml
• Find a Service Canada office near you: https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/tbsc-fsco/sc-hme.jsp 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/servicecanada_e?lang=en

2. Commercial Banking for Filipinos in Canada

Commercial banking service in Canada is regarded as one of the safest in the world due to its sound regulatory laws, and comprehensive system. Opening a bank account is so easy that you just need a valid ID and you don’t even need an initial deposit. Commercial banks also help Filipinos with their home mortgage and vehicle loan. The six largest commercial banks in Canada which collectively account for almost 90% of total industry revenue, are Royal Bank of Canada. Toronto Dominion Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank and Scotiabank.

• Royal Bank of Canada: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/ 
• Toronto-Dominion Bank: https://www.td.com/ca/en/about-td 
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: https://www.cibc.com/en/personal-banking.html 
• National Bank of Canada: https://www.nbc.ca/ 
• Scotiabank: https://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/personal.html 

3. Money Remittance for Filipinos in Canada

One of the first things an overseas Filipino would like to know is where they can send money to their loved ones in the Philippines. Banks now offer remittance services, but most Filipinos prefer to do it the traditional way with Remittance outlets they are familiar with. Now, with the coming of the number one mobile remittance in Japan, the Smiles Mobile Remittance App, Filipinos have the best option of sending money conveniently, anytime, anywhere, using their smartphones. The exchange rate is high with lower remittance fees. No need to queue, find parking space and brave the cold weather.

• Smiles Mobile Remittance Canada-Philippines:
  • Website: https://www.smileswallet.com/canada/ 
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smilesremit.ca.phl/ 
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smiles.ca.phl/ 
• Remitly: https://www.remitly.com/ca/en/philippines 
• World Remit: https://www.worldremit.com/en 
• Kabayan Remit: https://kabayanremit.com/ 
• I-Remit: https://iremitx.com/ 

4. Oriental/Filipino Stores and Restaurants for Filipinos in Canada

One of the ways to cure homesickness is to be able to eat and enjoy Filipino foods with family and friends. With the increase of overseas Filipinos, come the mushrooming of Filipino and Oriental stores and restaurants in Canada. Even the locals are now familiar with various Filipino dishes and delicacies. When Covid 19 pandemic put a lot of people including Filipinos in Canada out of work, it opened the way for Filipino entrepreneurs to start a trend of online selling. So now, almost all Filipino products and services can be purchased online.

• Toronto:
  • Tinuno https://tinunothirtyone.com/
  • iSLAS Filipino BBQ & BAR https://islasto.com/
  • LAMESA https://lamesatoronto.com/

• Vancouver:
  • Pinpin Restaurant http://www.pinpinrestaurant.com/
  • Hapag Ihaw Ihaw Restaurant https://hapagrestaurant.com/
  • Plato Filipino https://www.instagram.com/platofilipino/?hl=en

• Alberta:
  • Paolo’s Autentic Filipino Resaurant https://paolos-dine-in.business.site/
  • Cebuchon & BBQ https://www.cebuchonbbq.ca/
  • Max’s Restaurant https://www.maxsrestaurantna.com/

• Manitoba:
  • Jenmuel’s Lechon Cebu & Grill https://jenmuel.ca/
  • Myrna’s Cafe & Catering https://myrnas-cafe-catering.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
  • Kalan Restaurant (no website)

• Saskatchewan:
  • Katmu Family Restaurant https://www.katmuresto.com/
  • S&A Favorito Foods https://www.facebook.com/safavoritofoods/
  • Jollibee https://locations.jollibeefoods.com/ca/sk/regina

5. New Car Dealers for Filipinos in Canada

In Canada, owning a vehicle is more of a necessity than a luxury. Extreme weather conditions and having more than one job makes it necessary for everyone to own a car. The New Car Dealers industry in Canada sells not only new but also used passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and passenger vans. They also sell parts and provide repair services. During Covid 19 Pandemic, this industry has not been affected as much as other retail industries because of the government’s Economic Response Plan, which gives individuals and households extra disposable income. The average Filipino household in Canada owns at least two to three vehicles. 

Reliable car dealers for Filipinos in Canada:

• AUTO TRADER https://www.autotrader.ca/cars/
• AUTO CANADA https://www.autocan.ca/