People who are new to Canada may not know the laws here. You may not know what rights you have.
If you are thinking about leaving a partner who is hurting you or your children, you may have other fears. You may worry about being on your own or about your immigration status.
Where to get help
African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes
Atlantic Muslim Resource Centre
(902) 707-5850
Email: [email protected]
- Counselling services
- Family and parenting support
- Mediation
- Mental health support
Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia
- Emergency food and housing
- Help with health care
- Help at work
Chebucto Connections
Spryfield (HRM)
1 (902) 477-0964
- Housing support
- Intimate partner violence support
Cultural Health Information and Interpreting Services
(902) 425-5532
- Learn English
- Get legal help
- Help with forms
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
- Get settled in Canada
- Learn English
- Find a job
- Meet people
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
1-888-242-2100
Information about your immigration status
Immigrant Migrant Women’s Association of Halifax
902 -580-2678
Email: [email protected]
Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
Free information about the law in Canada.
1-800-665-9779
Contact them online
Nova Scotia Interpreting Services
Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
(902) 424-5230 or toll free 1-877-292-9597
The Salvation Army - Atlantic Refugee & Immigrant Service
(902) 477-5393
211
Free help for newcomers. Call 211.
www.211.ca
Domestic violence and immigration
If your spouse or sponsor is hurting you or not taking care of you, you do not have to stay with them. They must still help you with money even if you leave.
You may also be able to get money to help you live. This is called Income Assistance.
How you can stay in Canada
You can apply for a special permit to stay in Canada if your spouse or sponsor is hurting you. It’s called a temporary resident permit (TRP). It will let you stay in Canada as a temporary resident so you can leave the abuse and think about what to do next. You can also apply for your children if they are in Canada.
You don’t have to pay fees for a TRP when your spouse or partner is hurting you.
You also don’t have to pay for biometrics, like fingerprints and a photo. If you get a TRP because of family violence, you can:
- get help with the cost of trauma counselling and health care
- apply for a free work permit or study permit
Learn more about applying for a TRP.
Applying for permanent resident status
You can apply for permanent residence based on humanitarian or compassionate grounds because of family violence. The government may make a decision for you faster if:
- the family violence is happening in Canada, and
- you depend on your abusive spouse or partner to keep your status
To apply for permanent resident status under family violence, do the things below. First, you should know that the Government of Canada website doesn’t have a “hide this site” button. If you need to hide the site, you need to close the page.
- Go to the Government of Canada’s Permanent Residence Portal.
- Choose the category: Choose the “FV – In Canada – Humanitarian and compassionate considerations”
- Write the letters “FV” on your application cover letter.
- Email [email protected].
- Write the letters “FV” in the subject line.
- Ask for “FV” processing and put your client account email address in the email.
If you have applied and are waiting for an answer, call 1-888-242-2100 or contact the Client Support Centre.
Child protection for newcomers
You may worry that if you report abuse or try to get help, your children will be taken away from you. You may also worry about what other people will think, or how they will react.
But you are not alone. You can find help to make sure your children are okay.
Anyone who believes a child is being harmed or could be harmed must report it. In Nova Scotia, a child is anyone under age 19.
If someone reports child abuse:
- A child protection agency looks at the report.
- A social worker may talk to parents, teachers, and others to find out what is happening.
- Sometimes, families get counselling or other help.
- If the social worker believes it’s not safe for the child to stay at home, they can ask the court to step in.
When a case goes to court:
- A judge decides what is best for the child.
- The judge may decide where the child should live and what help the family needs.
- If parents cannot safely care for their child, the child may be adopted. The court calls this “permanent care.”
If you are involved in a child protection case, it’s very important to have a lawyer.
Child protection law is complicated. Not having a lawyer can mean you lose your children.
The law says that if a child is taken from home:
- they should stay connected to family and culture
- they should be allowed to speak their own language and take part in cultural events
- their foster families must recognize and respect the child’s hair, clothing, and beliefs
You have the right to speak up if you feel this isn’t happening. You can ask for a court hearing at any time.
To learn more about child protection and your rights, go to the Child Protection section.
If you think a child is in danger
Call a child protection worker if you think a child is in immediate danger:
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., call 1-877-424-1177.
- After hours, weekends, and holidays, call 1-866-922-2434.
Financial info for newcomers
Emergency help
If you need money right away, contact the Department of Opportunities and Social Development to ask for help. They can give you money for
- food
- rent
- medical or dental care
- heat or power
Canada child benefit
If you have a child under 18, you will get money from the government to help care for them. This is the Canada child benefit.
If your spouse gets the benefit and you leave them, you can apply for it instead if the children stay with you.
Apply for the Canada child benefit (CCB) here.
When you do your taxes, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will tell you if you will get any other benefits.
If you need help doing your taxes, your local public library may offer free tax clinics.
Support from your spouse
You may be able to apply to Family Court for child support or spousal support.
Children have the right to financial support from their parents.
Spousal support is money one spouse pays to the other after separation.
You can apply for spousal support if
- you are married, or
- you lived with your spouse for at least 2 years, or
- lived together and have a child.
Talking to a lawyer can help you understand your options.
- Contact Nova Scotia Legal Aid to see if you can get free help.
- Contact Summary Advice Counsel for a free meeting.
- Hire a private lawyer. Learn more about the Lawyer Referral Service here.
Help Is Here – Economic Abuse Fact Sheet for Victims and Survivors
Available in multiple languages: English, French, Urdu, Arabic, etc.
Translation and interpreters
If you go to court, you may need an interpreter. The court will hire and pay for the interpreter when:
- the court agrees to hire an interpreter for you, or
- the court tells you to get an interpreter.
The court may not pay for all services. You must ask court staff or your lawyer about the services you need.
Tell court staff what language and dialect you need services in. Give them time to find one for you. They will arrange for the interpreter if they know before your court date.
The interpreter is not allowed to talk about you to anyone who is not working on your court case.
If the court could hire someone from your community as an interpreter and you don’t want this, tell the court. They will find a different interpreter. You have the right to have an interpreter that you are comfortable with.
If you need to hire a translator or interpreter, contact the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia