New to Canada

One of my most precious memories of living in Canada has been that very cold winter day when three years ago I became a Canadian citizen. As bloggers for the library's "New to Canada" blog, we often ask ourselves what topics to include in our blog posts for new residents of Canada. In the past two and a half years since this blog has started - the user statistics have shown that the top search question for our blog readers has been about "finding information on the Canadian Citizenship Test and how to prepare for it".

Below you will find information about new dates and locations of Canadian Citizenship test preparation classes at various branches of Toronto Public Library this spring and summer 2012. They are all FREE classes and may require registration.

We will also list for you our previous popular "Citizenship Test" blog posts from the New to Canada blog and other useful library resources.

 
[From the special Citizenship Ceremony held at Toronto Reference Library, Oct. 2011.]

CITIZENSHIP TEST PREPARATION CLASSES AT THE LIBRARY:

Need help preparing and studying for the Canadian Citizenship Test? Toronto Public Library offers free Citizenship test preparation classes during this spring and summer 2012. The classes are co-sponsored by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Toronto Public Library and local newcomer agencies. For more information or to register for these free classes, please call or visit the branch you are interested in (the branches are listed below), or call Answerline staff at 416-393-7131.

Citizenship test preparation classes in Spring and Summer 2012 are offered by the following library branches this season - Agincourt, Barbara Frum, Bridlewood, Cedarbrae, Goldhawk Park, Malvern, McGregor Park, North York Central Library, Weston, Woodside Square. (Please check with your local library for the latest information in order to be sure that the program is still taking place, as classes may change year to year.)

"Citizenship Education Circle" - Citizenship Education Mentoring Circle is a 10-session mentoring program currently offered at four library branches. It covers all topics of the official study guide “Discovering Canada" and provides an excellent learning environment for newcomers to discover and appreciate their country. Locations: Toronto Reference Library, North York Central Library, Lillian H. Smith, Burrows Hall.

"Applying for Canadian Citizenship" - a 2-hour workshop at Weston branch on May 15 2012, 1-3pm. Find out if you are eligible for Canadian Citizenship. Get complete information where and how to apply. Get one-on-one assistance with completing application forms (please bring your Permanent Resident Card). Call Weston Branch at 416-394-1016 for more information.

USEFUL "NEW TO CANADA" BLOG POSTS ON CITIZENSHIP, BY LIBRARY STAFF:

• "Joyful Citizenship Ceremony at the Library" - Oct. 2011. Did you notice the beautiful red-and-white "O Canada!" cake pictured in this post?
• "At Long Last: The Canadian Citizenship Ceremony" - Mar. 2011.
• "Canadian Citizenship Test: Personal Experiences and Practical Tips" - Feb. 2011. Many readers have commented in this blog post sharing their own experiences with the test.
• "Canadian Citizenship: Application" - Nov. 2010.
• "Canadian Citizenship: Who can apply?" - Oct. 2010.

MORE LIBRARY RESOURCES ABOUT THE CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP TEST:

• Free Online Citizenship Practice Test - to help you prepare for the citizenship test, Toronto Public Library has developed this free sample Citizenship Practice Test  based on the official study guide called "Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship". The test has some questions taken from the guide and questions related to Toronto and Ontario.

• Citizenship Test Preparation Binder - available to use at every Toronto public library branch. It includes information about becoming a Canadian citizen as well as a listing of Canada's political leaders and elected representatives. Ask for it at your local library branch.

• Learning Express Library - a great resource you can find on the Library website. It offers you tests (TOEFL for example) so that you can practice preparing for your next steps in life. There is a sample Canadian Citizenship test included that will help you learn about Canada and prepare for your test. Login with a valid Toronto library card to use it.

• My Canada is another helpful online resource on the library website. It covers a variety of topics about Canada. There are lessons about Canadian history, geography, government, culture and more. You can select a level from beginner, intermediate or advanced. There are even pictures and videos that make learning about Canada fun! Login with a valid Toronto library card to use it.

• Visit the library's Recommended Websites section to check out useful Internet resources related to the citizenship test.

Enjoy this 1979 short video by the National Film Board of Canada on the theme of Canada with music from the 1976 Olympics version of "O Canada".  

All the best and good luck with the Citizenship test preparation and becoming a Canadian citizen!