CUIAS Immigrant Services

August often means returning to work, school, and new plans.

A new job. Moving to a new place. Starting school. Even a long-awaited vacation.

These are positive changes, so why do they sometimes make us feel anxious?

The answer is simple: our brain sees any change as uncertainty. Uncertainty requires extra attention, energy, and adjustment. That’s why even positive life events can bring feelings of worry, tension, or uneasiness.

This is especially common after a long period of stress. When our nervous system has spent months or years in “survival mode,” it doesn’t switch into “safe mode” overnight. It needs time to adjust.

Try this simple exercise.

When you notice anxiety, ask yourself:

- What is a fact, and what is just my assumption?
- Am I in danger right now, at this moment?
- What is one small thing I can do in the next 10 minutes to take care of myself?

Anxiety doesn’t always mean something bad is about to happen. Sometimes it’s simply your nervous system learning that it is safe to slow down again.

Reach out to us if you need any assistance - [email protected]

Art Workshop: “Yellow & Blue Heart” 💙💛
Celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day with us by creating your own unique T-shirt featuring Ukrainian-inspired artwork!

Join us for a creative afternoon where you’ll paint a T-shirt with acrylics, explore the meaning behind Ukrainian symbols, and connect with others in a warm, welcoming environment.

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: 52383 Bloor St W, ON, M6S 1P6

What to expect:
Acrylic painting on T-shirts
A conversation about Ukrainian symbols, their meaning, and staying connected to our culture and home
A supportive space to create, connect, and enjoy meaningful conversation

Free to attend
Registration is required
Only 14 spots available

Language of instruction: Ukrainian

Please complete the registration form to reserve your spot: https://forms.gle/M8UHUbUZQjrWCUpD9

Happy Civic Holiday! 🇨🇦

Today, many communities across Ontario celebrate the Civic Holiday—a summer holiday that gives people the opportunity to relax, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy their local communities.

Unlike national statutory holidays, the Civic Holiday is a provincial and municipal holiday, meaning not all businesses or workplaces are closed, and the holiday may have different names depending on the community.

For many people, it’s a chance to enjoy the long weekend by attending local festivals, visiting parks, exploring their city, or simply taking a well-deserved break.

Please note that both CUIAS offices will be closed on Monday, August 3, in observance of the Civic Holiday, and will reopen on Tuesday, August 4.

At CUIAS, we hope you have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable Civic Holiday. Whether you’re discovering new places, spending time with loved ones, or taking time to recharge, we wish you a wonderful long weekend!

Eligible Canadian adults can now renew their passports online through the Government of Canada, making the process more convenient than ever.

You may be eligible to renew your passport online if you are renewing your own regular (blue) Canadian passport, your home and mailing address are in Canada, and your current passport was issued when you were 16 years of age or older. Your passport must have been valid for 5 or 10 years, issued within the last 15 years, include your place of birth, and be expired or set to expire within the next six months.

Online renewal is not available if you need to change your name, date of birth, place of birth, or gender identifier, if you are renewing a child’s passport, or if you do not meet the Government of Canada’s eligibility requirements.

Before applying, make sure you have your current passport, a digital passport photo that meets Government of Canada requirements, a valid credit or debit card to pay the fee, and an online IRCC account.

To check your eligibility and submit your application, visit the official Government of Canada website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/renew-adult-passport/online-account.html

If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact CUIAS, we’re here to help!

Family Law Webinar Series has come to an end, and we’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to our speakers – Olha Senyshyn, Immigration, Refugee and Family Lawyer, and Olga Lepikhina, Family and Inheritance Lawyer in Ukraine.

Thanks to their knowledge and generosity in sharing their expertise, participants gained practical information on marriage in Canada and the recognition of foreign marriages, common-law relationships, marriage contracts, separation and divorce, parenting and property division, and the immigration implications of changes in family status.

We would also like to thank all participants who joined us throughout the series, asked thoughtful questions, and made these webinars so engaging. We hope the knowledge and information shared during this series will help you feel more confident when making important decisions for yourself and your family.

Missed the live sessions? You can still request the recordings of all three webinars.

Simply complete the registration form below and select the topics you’re most interested in.

https://forms.gle/xk29gX8wd3UVTMFY9

Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to bringing you more webinars and opportunities to connect with trusted experts.

The webinar recordings provide general legal information only and do not replace individual legal advice.

📢 Fair Pass update: annual eligibility reviews return August 1, 2026

Beginning August 1, 2026, the City of Toronto’s Fair Pass Transit Discount Program is returning to its pre-pandemic eligibility review process. During COVID-19, Fair Pass discounts were renewed automatically as a temporary measure. As that temporary process ends, the City will resume confirming eligibility each year for every Fair Pass client.

This change is part of the City’s ongoing responsibility, outlined in the Fair Pass Notice of Collection, to verify that clients receiving the discount continue to qualify for it.

✅ IF YOU RECEIVE ONTARIO WORKS, ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM, OR CHILD CARE FEE SUBSIDY
- The City will review, verify and renew your Fair Pass discount for you. You do not need to reapply.

⚠️ IF YOUR ELIGIBILITY CAN’T BE VERIFIED THROUGH EXISTING CITY RECORDS
- You will need to submit a new application to keep receiving your Fair Pass discount. The City will notify you approximately 45 days before your discount expires, using the contact information on file, and will let you know what steps to take next.

HOW YOU’LL BE NOTIFIED
- Notifications may come by email, phone and/or mail. Updates will also be shared on the Fair Pass website and through other program communications. Because of this, it’s important to keep your contact information up to date with the City so you don’t miss a required notice.

WHAT’S NOT CHANGING
- There are no changes to the Fair Pass benefit amount, the eligibility criteria, or the application process. If you do need to reapply, it follows the same steps as a new application.

HOW TO APPLY OR REAPPLY
🖥 Online: toronto.ca/transitdiscount
📞 By phone: 416-338-8888
🏢 In person, by walk-in or appointment

Check out our story to find the link as well!

Not sure whether you need to take action, or need help completing an application? CUIAS is here to support you, reach out to our team and we’ll help you.

🎨 Art Workshop: “Yellow & Blue Heart” 💙💛

Celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day with us by creating your own unique T-shirt featuring Ukrainian-inspired artwork!

Join us for a creative afternoon where you’ll paint a T-shirt with acrylics, explore the meaning behind Ukrainian symbols, and connect with others in a warm, welcoming environment.

📅 Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: 540 Finch Ave W, ON, M2R 1N6

✨ What to expect:
🎨 Acrylic painting on T-shirts
💙 A conversation about Ukrainian symbols, their meaning, and staying connected to our culture and home

🤝 A supportive space to create, connect, and enjoy meaningful conversation

✅ Free to attend
📝 Registration is required
👥 Only 14 spots available

Language of instruction: Ukrainian

Registration link: https://forms.gle/XsmGK97frpkjff9n7

Family Law Webinar Series - Session 3: Family status changes and Immigration Implications

This is the LAST SESSION of this series, register as soon as possible!

Changes in family relationships can have important immigration consequences. This session will explore how divorce, separation, and family violence may affect immigration status and applications in Canada.

Join Session 3 with Olha Senyshyn, Immigration, Refugee and Family Lawyer, where we will discuss:

How family status changes affect immigration

Considerations for temporary residents, PRs, and refugee claimants

When to report family status changes to IRCC

Family violence: immigration implications and available support

Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions during the webinar.

Date: July 28
Time: 12:00 pm EDT
Format: Online / Zoom
Language: Ukrainian

Register here: https://forms.gle/ymi5fQxQnF4PviKq5

Registered participants will receive the webinar recording after the session.

Please note: This webinar provides general legal information only and does not replace individual legal advice.

As we approach International Self-Care Day, let’s remember caring for yourself is not something we do only on one special day. Self-care is a daily practice that supports our mental wellness, emotional balance, and connection with ourselves.

Small practices can make a big difference:

Pause and take a few mindful breaths.
Ask yourself: “How am I feeling today? What do I need?”
Spend a few moments in nature or in silence.
Allow yourself to rest without guilt.
Write down something you are grateful for.
Set healthy boundaries and protect your energy.

Self-care is not about being perfect. It is about creating small moments of kindness, connection, and support for yourself every day.
What is one small act of self-care you can offer yourself today?

On our support groups, we help participants discover their inner resources, strengthen their well-being, and find their own path toward balance and resilience.

We also remind you that you can book an individual consultation using this link: https://forms.gle/YyhZ9j9NnbQaEDVHA