What you need to know about Canada's 'Permanent Resident Card'

The Permanent Resident (PR) Card is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada.  This wallet-sized plastic card is required for all permanent residents of Canada seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus).  There have been some changes to the look of the PR Card, as well as some of its security features. The new cards began circulating August 24, 2009.  If you are a current permanent resident, you will only receive a new card when your existing card expires. If you are a new permanent resident, you will automatically receive your new card as part of the immigration process.  You can apply for a PR Card if:

• you received permanent resident status before June 28, 2002;
• you became a permanent resident after June 28, 2002 but did not receive a PR Card at that time; or
• you need to replace an expired, lost or stolen PR Card. 

If you received permanent resident status before June 28, 2002, you were issued an Immigrant Visa and Record of Landing (IMM 1000). You may need this document to apply for your first, or replacement, PR Card.  Since June 2002, all new permanent residents automatically receive their first PR Card as part of the immigration process.  Check the expiry date before you plan to travel outside Canada. Current processing times for a PR Card application are on this website.  You can also view the service standard for an initial PR Card. This details the specific level of service you can expect to receive under normal circumstances.


For more information go to: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/index.asp


Click here for PR card information in Portuguese 

The European Year of Volunteering 2011

While 2010 was designated the European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, the European Union has designated 2011 as the European Year of Volunteering.  The purpose of a European Year is to raise awareness among EU citizens and EU member states alike about a specific issue. And so, for one whole year, a given topic/issue i.e. volunteering becomes the main focus of the EU’s institutions and its member states.  Each European Year thus becomes the subject of a campaign that is geared at bringing about awareness at both the EU and national levels. 


Click here for more information on the European Year for Volunteering (2011)
Click here to view recent press releases on the 2011 EU Year
Click here to view a proposal for a council decision on the European Year of Volunteering (2011)

Opportunities for youth

 Opportunities for Youth!

Dear friends,

An exciting opportunity is available to young people in our community.
The Youth in Action grants program is working with the United Way of Peel Region and the Region of Peel to fund youth-led projects. Up to $2,000 will go towards each project, with a total of $20,000 available.  “We encourage projects that support youth in becoming more involved in their community, empower youth leadership within neighborhoods, and raise awareness about local issues,” says Nicole Dupuis, United Way’s Volunteer and Youth Engagement Associate. “By leading and implementing their own community projects, youth are empowered as emerging community leaders.”  Projects eligible for funding must be led by individuals or groups of young people between the ages of 14-2, and must be working with an eligible sponsoring organization. The sponsoring organization must be a registered charity based in or operating in Peel.  Information sessions for this amazing opportunity are being held on Tuesday, May 11^th from 6:00-7:00pm at the Region of Peel Building (10 Peel Centre Drive, Room 985B – enter through main entrance) in Brampton, Ontario and on Thursday, May 13^th from 6:00-7:00pm at the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness (14111 Regional Road 50 North) in Bolton, Ontario.  Further information and guidelines are available at www.unitedwaypeel.org or if interested, can contact Nicole Dupuis at 905-602-3622 or ndupuis@unitedwaypeel.org  The deadlines for all applications are due MONDAY, JUNE 7th, 2010.

Don't let great opportunities get away!

Good luck!

Peter Fonseca

Consular Presences - A Way to Promote Social Inclusion and Cohesion

A well-informed community is a more inclusive one. Take advantage of the Consulate-General of Portugal in Toronto's initiative to have various consular presences throughout Ontario. All through 2010, consular employees will be present in Chatham (14-15 May), Sault Ste. Marie (September), Kingston (October), London (November). The Consulate has already been present in Hamilton and Thunder Bay, where it provided information and services to the local Portuguese community. Learn more about this initiative by visiting, http://cgptoronto.blogspot.com.

Panel discussion - November 13, 2009 - Provisional Program

Following the panel discussion held on May 6 at Casa dos Açores, in light of the European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, on November 13, the second panel discussion will take place.  This panel discussion will target the Portuguese community in general.  All interested are invited to register for free using the proper registration form that will be posted shortly.  
click here to obtain a copy of the provisional program for the November panel discussion and click here for the same information in Portuguese