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Calgary 14°C · Partly cloudyRegular gas ~$1.42/L (reference)Garbage day varies by address · City of Calgary lookupCostco: Weekly grocery deals — check store hours on the Costco siteWalmart: Rollback deals updated — confirm at your nearest WalmartT&T Supermarket: Weekly Asian grocery flyer — Beacon Hill & Harvest Hills locationsCalgary 14°C · Partly cloudyRegular gas ~$1.42/L (reference)Garbage day varies by address · City of Calgary lookupCostco: Weekly grocery deals — check store hours on the Costco siteWalmart: Rollback deals updated — confirm at your nearest WalmartT&T Supermarket: Weekly Asian grocery flyer — Beacon Hill & Harvest Hills locations
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Newcomers

Settling in Calgary as a newcomer

Just landed in Calgary? A few things are worth doing early: ID and documents, a bank account, a health card, and a phone. This checklist helps you prioritize.

Your first week

  • Apply for an Alberta Health Card and a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
  • Open a local bank account; get a debit and credit card to start building credit history.
  • Get a local phone number for job hunting and everyday errands.

Setting up home

  • For housing, see our renting guide and the community guides.
  • Stock up on winter clothing, a snow shovel, and emergency supplies early.
  • Learn garbage sorting, recycling, and community rules.

Work & English

  • Calgary employment centres and non-profits offer resume and job-search help.
  • Eligible newcomers can take free LINC/ESL English classes — ask local agencies.
  • Credentials and licences (e.g. driver's licence, professional qualifications) may need conversion — check the process early.

Community & support

  • Chinese associations, WeChat groups, and churches often share mutual-aid info and events.
  • City and provincial government sites have official newcomer guides and service directories.

School zoning, transit, and merchant details can change — always confirm on official sites and in person before moving.