Are you moving to Ottawa? You are about to experience one of the prettiest capitals in the world.
Ottawa offers something for everyone
Are you an outdoor person? No problem, Ottawa Canada is rich in rivers, lakes, green spaces, parks and wilderness areas; You have plenty to choose from ? biking, skiing, canoeing, jogging, hiking, skating, etc'.
Are you more interested in culture and city life? Ottawa is the perfect place for you. The city of Ottawa hosts more than a dozen national museums and galleries. It is a major center for the visual and performing arts, and is full of festivals throughout the year.
Other than that Ottawa is the seat of Canada's federal government, It is home to foreign embassies, high tech companies, and is a recognized center for both academics and professional training.
To help you adjust to Canada capital city, we will do our best to provide useful information about Ottawa, Canada.
We welcome any contribution of our readers to this overview. Together we can build the most comprehensive guide with useful information about Ottawa, Canada. Just fill out the moving abroad city guide form.
Since being named Canada's capital by Queen Victoria in 1857, Ottawa has kept growing, and in 2001, the city of Ottawa was combined with the Region of Ottawa-Carleton and 11 local municipalities: Cumberland, Gloucester, Goulbourn, Kanata, Nepean, Osgoode, Rideau, Rockcliffe Park, Vanier, and West Carleton.
Ottawa of today is a large city with a population of over 1.2 million, which makes it the fourth largest metropolitan area in Canada.
The languages spoken in Ottawa are mainly English and French. But a high percentage of people speak both languages.
Approximately 25 per cent of Ottawa’s residents were born outside of Canada, and more than 20 per cent are members of visible minorities. Therefore it is not uncommon to hear other languages on the street like: Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.
Ottawa's resident are used to foreigners which makes them very friendly and welcoming; when we first moved to our new neighborhood in the city of Ottawa, the neighbors came and introduced themselves, asked if we needed any help, and one of them even sent us bread and jam as a traditional greeting.
Ottawa is clean, well planed, has good public services, and low crime rates. The political arena is stable, and the residents enjoy a very good standard of living. No wonder it has been ranked sixth in the world in terms of quality of life.
Ottawa has the highest educated workforce in the country. The city’s unemployment rate is stable and is usually below the national average.
Moreover, Ottawa has the second-highest average salary per person.
The city’s top employer is the federal government, and Canadian citizens are given preference for all federal government jobs.
Other leading industries for employment include:
Health care and social services
Education
Professional, scientific, technical, high-tech
Retail
Manufacturing
For most jobs in Ottawa, you must speak French or English. For some jobs, you need to speak both.
As a newcomer expat, you may face some obstacles, such as; language barriers, no Canadian work experience, and difficulty getting your skills and qualifications recognized in the Canadian labor market.
However there are services in Ottawa that offer assistance.
Many organizations provide training in English and French as a Second Language.
There are systems in Ottawa Canada that can evaluate your foreign credentials. For example: Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) has a Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) program that helps internationally trained workers make a smoother transition into the Canadian workforce.
Another great way to meet Canadians labor market requirement is to volunteer in your field (this is only for those of you who can afford it financially). Volunteering lets you gain local work experience while practicing your English and French language skills. Volunteering can lead to paid employment. To find more information about this option please visit volunteer Ottawa.
If your occupation is one of Ontario's regulated profession or recognized trade, then you will need a license or a certificate to work in your field in Ottawa, Canada. Please visit Ontario Immigration to learn more about the Ontario provincial requirements for licensing and certification.
If you are an expat worker and already hold a work permit in a managerial, professional or technical occupation, there is a facilitated process for your spouse to also work in Canada. To learn more about this opportunity please visit service Canada.
Please note although different Ottawa jobs have different requirements, in Ottawa, Canada everyone must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
For information about Canada work visa please visit our Canada guide.
There are two basic kinds of child care in Ottawa Canada: licensed and unlicensed. A licensed child care means that the caregivers have to meet certain provincial health, safety and caregiver training standards.
You can choose to have full-time child care, or part-time child care. Programs operate in English, French or are bilingual.
Whether or not a child care program needs a license depends on how many children a caregiver is looking after; Caregivers can look after up to five children under the age of 10 without needing a license. Anyone who cares for more than five children under the age of 10 years has to be licensed by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services
If you are thinking about licensed child care, there are several kinds to choose from:
Nursery schools – These are licensed programs that provide part-time care for pre-school children between two and a half and five years of age.
Licensed home child care is provided in caregivers private homes. Caregivers are screened, approved and monitored by home visitors, who work for the home care agency.
Municipal home child care - A bilingual child care program operated by the city of Ottawa and is licensed under the Day Nurseries Act. The program offers child care for children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age in the provider's home.
Licensed child care centers - for children aged six weeks up to 12 years, in a group setting. They include nursery schools, full day care, extended day care and before and after school programs.
Municipal child care centers - The City of Ottawa operates 17 child care centers that provide quality child care for children between the ages of six weeks and 10 years of age. The centers provide planned, supervised indoor and outdoor activities as well as nutritious meals.
Ottawa Canada – Elementary and Secondary Education
There are four publicly funded school systems in Ottawa Canada: English Public, English Catholic, French language Public and French language Catholic. The publicly funded schools are administered by the school boards, and follow the Ontario Curriculum.
The school system in the city of Ottawa Canada has 2 levels;
Elementary schools provide junior kindergarten and kindergarten programs (for children aged 4 and 5) and programs for grades 1 through 8 (for children from 6-13).
Secondary schools also called high schools offer programs from grade 9 through to grade 12.
All children between the ages of six and 18 must attend school
How to register your child for school in Ottawa Canada?
You will need to provide all of the following information:
proof of child’s age - a birth certificate or passport
proof of address - copy of a bank statement, telephone or electrical bill or apartment lease with your name and address
proof of guardianship – required if the child is under 18 years of age and is not living with the parent
Proof of child’s status in Canada.
Immunization record - proof that your child has been immunized, according to the recommended immunization schedule in Ontario.
In some boards of education, expats students must register at a reception centre. At the centre, a teacher will determine your child’s mathematics and English language skills.
Some important information:
School attendance boundaries and school bus transportation - Each school has an attendance boundary or zone around the building that defines the streets and homes that belong to that school. Your home address determines the school that your child attends. School bus transportation is available for your kid.
If your child is in a special program, or if you live far from the school in your attendance area, then school bus transportation may be available. You should ask the school office staff for exact information.
Grade placement according to age - When students register for school, their grade placement is determined by their age, not by the grade they completed in their country of origin.
Moving between grades - When planning the classes for the next year, the school often mixes students from different classes. As a result, your child may not be with all of the same classmates during the next year of school. Make sure that your child is aware of this, before the school year opens. This will save you and your child some painful moments.
French immersion schools - Some school boards offer French immersion programs. This is an optional program for children whose first language is not French. Students learn most of the curriculum in French, but as students get older, they take some subjects in English.
Class size – From Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 there are no more than 23 students in a class. In grades 4 to 8 the average class size is in not more than 25 kids in class.
Nut free schools - Some students have severe allergies to nuts. To ensure the safety of these students, many schools adopt a “nut free” policy. If your school is “nut free”, please do not send any food containing nut products to school with your child.
Ottawa Canada – Elementary and Secondary Private and Specialty Schools
There are many private and independent day schools for elementary or secondary school students in the city of Ottawa. These schools offer a wide variety of other private learning and some are dedicated to specific religious and cultural groups. There is even a virtual private school based in Ottawa.
Listed below are Some of Ottawa's private schools:
Ashbury College, Counterpoint Academy, Elmwood School (for girls), Lycee Claudel School (in French), College Saint-Alexandre de la Gatineau (in French), Joan of Arc Academy, Macdonald-Cartier Academy, Turnbull School (junior to grade 8) Westboro Academy, a number of Montessori schools and alternative language
Ottawa Canada – Post Secondary Education
For information about Canada student visa please visit our Canada guide.
Post-secondary education is delivered in Ottawa by universities, colleges of applied arts and technology (also called community colleges) and private vocational schools and institutes.
If you are planning to study in English at a college or university in Ottawa, Canada, you may have to take an English language test, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). These tests evaluate your English ability level if you do not speak English as your first language.
Each educational institution requires applicants to achieve a minimum score on the test taken. The minimum score varies.
Listed below are Some of Ottawa's universities, colleges, and other institutions:
Algonquin College Ottawa, Carleton University, Dominicain University College, La Cit? coll?giale, St. Paul University, University of Ottawa, Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa
Ottawa has the highest educated workforce in the country. The city’s unemployment rate is stable and is usually below the national average. 
