Welcome

Peterborough is home to approximately 80,000 residents. We offer an exceptional quality of life, an affordable cost of living, and access to first-rate educational institutions. In 2009, we were listed in the top 10 on “Canada’s Best Places to Live” list. We also ranked 5th in a contest for the most walkable Canadian cities. We are a 90-minute drive from Toronto, and offer the ideal mix of city and country living. Our close proximity to major markets in Canada and the United States makes Peterborough a great place to start a business.

When you choose to come and live in Peterborough, you will be continuing one of Peterborough’s longest traditions. Beginning in the 1800’s, successive waves of people moved to this area to build Peterborough into the city we know today.

Peterborough values you as New Canadians – and the skills, experience, and knowledge that you bring with you. Recently, we established the Peterborough Partnership Council on Immigrant Integration. The Council aims to develop a community strategy to help immigrants successfully settle into the area. This website is one of the first projects of the Council, and it has been created with the help of recent immigrants, immigrant service providers, service agencies, and local employers.

This website has been created for those who are either thinking of immigrating to Canada, or who have recently arrived. It contains information to help you decide if you want to live in Peterborough and how to get settled here.

Take time to explore our website to find out more about Peterborough. The door is open, and we welcome you to consider making Peterborough your new home.

Other Immigration Resources:

Ontario Immigration – this site from the government of Ontario will help you move to Ontario. It also helps you settle in your new home after you arrive. This site is focused on government resources.

Going to Canada – the government of Canada provides this site as a guide to immigrating to Canada. Information on this site is for the entire country, and is not specific to any province.

Settlement.Org – operated by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI). This site has answers to many common questions about moving to Ontario. There is also a discussion area where you can communicate with immigration experts and other newcomers.

NewYouth.ca – another site from OCASI. This site’s youthful approach is for newcomers under 25 years of age.

New Canadians Centre Peterborough – Peterborough’s settlement agency. The Centre’s staff are Peterborough’s experts on immigration. They provide many helpful programs and answers to your questions.

Newcomers to Canada DayPlanner – available for free from the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE). It provides information for newcomers, along with a place to store notes and appointments. The DayPlanner can be downloaded as printable PDF files, or as a program to install on your computer.