First Contact Program Ontario
Photo: Canadian Red Cross
Who We Help
- Refugee claimants, asylum seekers arriving in Toronto, Greater Toronto Area, Ontario.
- Refugee claimants, asylum seekers to Canada located in Ontario with limited resources.
- Refugee claimants, asylum seekers in Ontario facing urgent housing, legal, or health needs.
About the First Contact Program
Established in 2001, the Canadian Red Cross First Contact Program provides timely, confidential, and free support to refugee claimants, asylum seekers, and those planning to make a refugee claim. The program takes a humanitarian and practical approach to addressing the most urgent needs of refugee claimants and migrants to Ontario.
Many refugee claimants arrive with limited resources and face significant barriers. The First Contact Program helps bridge these challenges by offering support, tools, referrals, and resources that empower refugee claimants to build a safe and stable future in Canada.
Services Offered by the First Contact Program
- Up-to-date information about emergency shelters, newcomer centres, social, legal, and health services that are available in Ontario.
- A free orientation with the Canadian Red Cross First Contact program, led by Canadian Red Cross personnel.
- Provide refugee claimants with information on how to find affordable housing, process a refugee claim, secure employment, as well as apply for legal aid or social assistance.
- Guidance on various shelter systems in Ontario, social services, English classes, work and study permits, and more.
- Interpretation available in office on an as needed basis.
- 24/7 telephone information and referral services, focused primarily on after-office-hours referrals for newly arriving refugee claimants to Canada.
- Need urgent support? Call us toll-free at 1-866-902-4993.
- Make an Emergency Plan (available in 12 languages)
- Emergency Kit Checklist (available in 12 languages)
- Welcome to Canadian winter: Navigating in winter conditions
- Welcome to Canadian winter: preparing newcomers for their first winter
- Welcome to Canadian winter: Dressing for winter conditions
Contact and Location
Direct ContactToll-Free (24/7): 1-866-902-4993
Local Office: 416-480-2500 option 1
Email: firstcontactontario@redcross.ca
Location
Etobicoke Satellite Branch
557 Dixon Road, Unit 122, Etobicoke, ON
(Dixon Road and Martin Grove Road)
Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (closed on public holidays)
Accessible by transit from:
Pearson Airport, Terminal 3 Arrivals: TTC Bus 52
Kipling Subway Station: TTC Bus 46
