Family with kids sitting together

Learn about Surrey's programs and activities available to new immigrants to Canada.

Moving to a new city or country is an exciting opportunity and is full of challenges. The City of Surrey partners with community organizations to offer many services, programs and activities to help you get settled into your new home.

We ensure our programs are accessible and inclusive and that they inspire participation, create social connections, and foster lifelong learning.

Settlement Services in Recreation Centres

Settlement Services in Recreation Centre offers resources and information about finding a place to live, jobs, schools, childcare, healthcare, getting around, programs at recreation centres and more:

Schedule

Recreation centre Language Day & time
Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre Spanish Thursdays 3–7pm
Cloverdale Recreation Centre Arabic Tuesdays 10am–2pm
Fleetwood Community Centre

Mandarin & Cantonese

Punjabi, Hindi

Tagalog

Mondays 2–6pm

Tuesdays 2–6pm

Wednesdays 2–6pm

Guildford Recreation Centre

Arabic

Mondays 3:30–7:30pm

Wednesdays 3:30–7:30pm

Newton Recreation Centre

Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Pashto & Spanish.

Punjabi, Hindi

Wednesdays 3–7pm

Thursdays 3–7pm

South Surrey Arts & Recreation Centre

Korean (Wednesday morning)

Mandarin (Wednesday afternoon)

Mandarin (Fridays morning)

Wednesdays 9:30am–1:30pm

Wednesdays 1:30–5:30pm

Fridays 9:30am–1:30pm

 

Surrey Local Immigration Partnership offers a services map where you can find local services, such as refugee services, employment and education support, and health and nutrition services.

Language services in Surrey

Interpretation services are available at City of Surrey facilities in more than 170 languages. 

  • In-Person: At City facilities, point to a language on a language display card on the counter, and an interpreter will be called.
  • Phone: Call 604-591-4011. Identify your preferred language and someone will assist you.
  • Online: Translation on our website is hosted by Google Translate. Find this tool at the top of the website, where it says Select a Language.

We also recommend DIVERSEcity’s Interpretation and Translation Services, serving the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. DIVERSEcity has a network of more than 300 professionals who provide services in 88+ languages, including many rare ones.

In addition, the Society of Translators and Interpreters of BC provides a listing of translators and services in many languages, and MOSAIC Interpretation & Translation Services offers a fee-for-service service in more than 70 languages.

English Conversation Program

Practice your English for free in a comfortable environment. Some knowledge of English is required as the program focuses on conversation. 

  • Learn about Canadian culture
  • Meet others from around the world
  • Share your experiences

Programs are offered online and in-person through Microsoft Teams in the fall, winter and spring. 

Fall 2023 schedule 

Program Date & time Location Course ID
All Levels

Tuesdays

Sept 12 - Oct 31
6:00 – 7:30pm

City Centre Library

Room #401

#00330077
All Levels

Wednesdays

Sept 13 - Nov 1
6:00 – 7:30pm

*No session Oct 25

Guildford Library

Meeting Room

#00331703
Women Only

Fridays

Sept 15 - Nov 3
10:30am – 12:00pm

Online - Microsoft Teams #00330577
All Levels

Saturdays

Sept 9 - Nov 4
10:30am - 12:00pm

*No session Sept 30

Semiahmoo Library

Meeting Room

#00330060
All Levels

Thursdays

Sept 14 - Nov 2
10:30am - 12:00pm

Fleetwood Library

Meeting Room

#00330577

How to register

Fall registration begins Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 9pm.

  • Call 604-501-5100, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and we will be happy to help you.
  • In-person: visit any Surrey Parks, Recreation & Culture facility during hours of operation.
  • Online Registration System:
    • Already have an account in our online registration system? Log in now.
    • Do not have an account? Sign-up today.

Leisure Access Program

If you are in financial need, you might qualify for Surrey's Leisure Access Program. With the Leisure Access Program, you can join most Surrey recreation activities for 75% off, or in some cases, free.

Learn more about the Leisure Access Program.

Community services

  • EmpowerMe is a free energy conservation program for homeowners that largely assists Canadian immigrants. Empower Me is a joint initiative of Quality Program Services, FortisBC, Township of Langley, the City of Vancouver, the City of Surrey, VanCity, and Kambo Green Solutions.
  • Jobs: With a growing economy, Surrey is a great place to find a job or start a business. Also consider applying to work for the City of Surrey, voted one of BC's top employers.
  • Surrey Public Libraries: Library services are free and include English language learning, settlement services, and more.
  • Surrey Schools: Surrey has more than 125 free public schools for children under 18. The City is also home to Simon Fraser University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University campuses, as well as many colleges and places for continuing education.
  • WorkBC: WorkBC helps people find jobs, explore career options, and improve their skills. Whether you’re a parent, youth, teacher, career and employment counsellor, human resources professional, researcher or decision-maker, WorkBC’s tools, resources and services can benefit you.

Learn about more community services in the City of Surrey. The City believes in providing equal opportunities for all. Our programs and services ensure accessibility and inclusion are considered in order to inspire participation, create social connections, and foster lifelong learning.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact equitydiversityandinclusion@surrey.ca.