Choose London - Innovative, Vibrant and Global: London's Newcomer Strategy
Choose London – Innovative, Vibrant and Global: London’s Newcomer Strategy is a community-driven strategy, led by the City of London. It is the product of a broad consultation process with multiple stakeholders, along with statistical and literature reviews. This strategy identifies three strategic priorities: Enhance Awareness, Facilitate Access and Active Engagement. Each of these strategic priorities is supported by the activities as set out in the work plan. The activities are aimed at creating a necessary drive towards meeting quantitative targeted outcomes relating to Newcomer attraction and retention to sustain and increase economic growth.
With an aging population and declining birth rates, creating increased supports for the attraction, retention and integration of Newcomers, including international students, foreign trained professionals and multigenerational immigrants, has been identified by the City as a top priority for Londoners, City Council and Civic Administration.
Newcomers to Canada play a vital role in the country's economic, social and cultural success.
London's Newcomer Strategy - English
Stratégie de la VIlle de London pour les Nouveaux Arrivants
Free of Fear Services for All
The City of London provides services to residents regardless of their immigration status.
When you apply for, or use City services, City of London employees will not ask about immigration status or personal information unless there is a legislative requirement to do so. In such cases where immigration status must be documented, staff will not disclose your immigration status to the Canadian Border Services Agency or to the police.
In many cases, City services may be accessed with proof of identification only. Proof of identification or residency is not necessarily an official government document. Depending on the service, proof of identification or residency can be as simple as a telephone bill that shows your address.
Review identification requirements for commonly accessed municipal services in London below or call 519 661-2489 to be transferred to the direct service. You can also e-mail ASKCITY@london.ca with your question. You do not need to provide any personal information when asking for information.
Identification Requirements
City of London Services Requiring Proof of Immigration Status
The following services DO require proof of immigration status to access services.
Child Care
Child Care Fee Subsidy
Identification Required: Yes
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: Yes
Immigration Status: Yes
Income Subsidy
Ontario Works
Identification Required: Yes
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: Yes
Immigration Status: Yes
Discretionary Benefits
Identification Required: Yes
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: Yes
Immigration Status: Yes
Emergency Assistance
Identification Required: Yes
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: Yes
Immigration Status: Yes – at least proof that Refugee Claim is in process
Housing Subsidy
Identification Required: Yes
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: Yes
Immigration Status: Yes
Recreation Fee Subsidy
Identification Required: Yes
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: Yes
Immigration Status: Yes
Vehicles for Hire
Taxis, Limousines and Private Vehicles for Hire
Identification Required: Yes
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: No, however work permit is required
Immigration Status: Yes
Municipal Licensing and Standards
Business and Rental Licensing
Identification Required: No
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes for some categories of licenses
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: Yes, for some licenses
City of London Services NOT Requiring Proof of Immigration Status
The following services DO NOT require proof of immigration status to access services.
London Emergency Services
Fire Services/Paramedic and Ambulance (EMS)
Identification Required: No
Name: No
Address: No
Date of Birth: No
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Municipal Licensing and Standards
By-Law Enforcement Complaints
Identification Required: No
Name: Yes
Address: No
Date of Birth: No
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Pet Licensing
Identification Required: No
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: No
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Marriage Licence
Identification Required: Yes (photo ID)
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Information
Public Service Call Centre (complaints)
Identification Required: No
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Building and Development
Land development and Building Permits
Identification Required: No
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: No
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Property complaints, inspections, and compliance
Identification Required: No
Name: No
Address: No
Date of Birth: No
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Community and Neighbourhood Services
Recreation Facilities, Classes & General Programs
Identification Required: No
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Dependent on type of registration
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Community Centres – General Programs
Identification Required: Dependent on activity
Name: Dependent on activity
Address: Dependent on activity
Date of Birth: Dependent on activity
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Early-On Drop in programs (located at Family Centres)
Identification Required: No
Name: Yes
Address: No
Date of Birth: No
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Subsidized Transit (Bus) Pass
Identification Required: Yes
Name: Yes
Address: Yes
Date of Birth: Yes
Income or Assets: Yes
Immigration Status: No
Employment Resources
Employment Resource Centres at all sites in the City
Identification Required: No
Name: No
Address: No
Date of Birth: No
Income or Assets: No
Immigration Status: No
Frequently Asked Questions
How will this Free of Fear Services for All policy help our community?
- This policy will encourage all individuals to feel safer and to participate more fully in the community, by using City of London services that are available to them.
What are the limitations of this policy?
- This policy applies to those services directly provided by the City of London.
Who is a "Non-Status Individual" or an individual with "Uncertain Status"
- This refers to someone who resides in Canada and whose documents are no longer being accepted, who may have an unknown immigration status, or their current status is not recognized by the state.
What is a non-disclosure practice under this policy?
- Under the policy Free of Fear Services for All, City of London staff will only enquire about a person’s immigration status directly or indirectly when legally required to do so. This means that City staff will not report a resident’s immigration status to the Canadian Border Services Agency or to the Police (Campus Community Police Service, London Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, or Royal Canadian Mounted Police) , unless legally required to do so.
Free of Fear Flyers - Multi-Languages