CUIAS Immigrant Services

We invite you to take part in our “Antistress” Support Group, a supportive and inspiring space for creativity, reflection, and connection.

Using watercolor painting and drawing inspiration from spring blooms, plants, and natural landscapes, we will explore sources of strength, resilience, hope, and future possibilities. Together, we will create a symbolic “Garden of Resources” - a shared artwork that reflects the qualities, supports, and inner capacities that help us grow, heal, and move forward with confidence.

Theme: “Garden of Resources”

📅 Date: June 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM
📍 Location: 2383 Bloor St. West, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M6S 1P6

Language of instruction: Ukrainian

We invite you to join us in a creative space focused on self-care, reflection, and renewal. No artistic experience is needed.

Registration link: https://forms.gle/dRPXq9GYTyfh6HY19

Participation is free of charge.

We look forward to seeing you!

Some individuals and families in Canada will receive an additional one-time GST/HST credit top-up payment starting June 5, 2026. This payment is part of the transition to the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which will replace the GST/HST credit in July 2026. The top-up is intended to provide extra support to people with low and modest incomes before the new benefit begins.

✏️Who can receive the payment?
You may receive the one-time top-up if:
•you filed your 2024 income tax return; and
•you were entitled to receive the GST/HST credit in January 2026.
You do not need to apply separately. If you are eligible, the Canada Revenue Agency will issue the payment automatically.
✏️How much can you receive?
The one-time payment is equal to 50% of your total annual GST/HST credit amount for the period from July 2025 to June 2026.
🔎For example, if your annual GST/HST credit amount was $400, your one-time top-up would be $200.
The amount depends on your family situation in January 2026 and your 2024 adjusted family net income.

Maximum amounts may be up to:
•$267 for a single person with no children;
•$349 for a married or common-law couple with no children;
•$441 for a single person or a couple with one child;
•$533 for a single person or a couple with two children.
If parents share custody of a child, each parent may receive half of the amount they would have received with full custody.

✏️How will the payment be received?
If you have direct deposit set up with the CRA, the payment will be deposited into your bank account. If you do not have direct deposit, you will receive a cheque by mail.
✏️Why you may not receive the payment
You may not receive the top-up if you did not file your 2024 tax return, were not eligible for the GST/HST credit in January 2026, your spouse or common-law partner received the payment for the family, or the CRA applies the amount to a balance you owe.

To avoid missing benefits and credits, it is important to file your tax return every year, even if you had no income.

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. This month highlights the histories, cultures, languages, knowledge, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, including residential schools, displacement, and the loss of language and culture experienced by many Indigenous communities. Understanding these realities helps build awareness of why reconciliation matters and why respect, listening, and continued learning are important.

Community members can take part by reading resources created by Indigenous authors and organizations, learning about the traditional territory where they live, attending Indigenous-led events, or joining public cultural gatherings.

One way to learn more is by attending a public pow wow. Pow wows are Indigenous community gatherings that often include dancing, drumming, singing, traditional regalia, food vendors, arts and crafts, and opportunities to learn through observation. Many pow wows are open to the public and welcome visitors of all backgrounds.

If you attend a pow wow, it is helpful to arrive with respect and openness. Listen to the Master of Ceremonies, as they usually explain what is happening and when visitors may participate. Some dances may invite everyone to join, while others are only for specific dancers. Ask before taking photos or videos, especially of dancers, children, Elders, or ceremonial moments. Do not touch regalia, drums, or personal items unless invited.

Building a sense of belonging in Canada includes learning about the peoples and histories connected to this land. National Indigenous History Month reminds us that reconciliation is a shared responsibility, and that learning is one meaningful step toward greater understanding, respect, and inclusion.

Applications for the 2026–2027 Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) benefit year will open on June 2, 2026. Coverage for this benefit year runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

To qualify for the CDCP, applicants must meet ALL four of the following requirements:
🔹️Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
🔹️Have filed their 2025 income tax return to CRA
Please note if you have a spouse/common-law partner, they must also file income tax return
🔹️Have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
🔹️Not have access to private dental insurance through employment, pensions, or professional/student organizations

Starting June 2, 2026, eligible Canadians can apply in the following ways:
🔸️Online
•Through a My Service Canada Account (MSCA)
•On the Government of Canada website
🔸️By Phone
•Call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342

If you need help with your application, please feel free to contact our office. Our team is available to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

On Friday, May 29, 2026, Nathan Phillips Square will host Toronto Newcomer Day, a free annual event organized by the City of Toronto. It is a great opportunity for newcomers to learn about services, ask questions, and connect with organizations that support settlement and community life in Toronto.

Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy a lively atmosphere with more than 100 information booths, cultural performances, activities for all ages, a food fair, and a marketplace. It is a chance not only to gather useful information, but also to connect with others, discover new opportunities, and celebrate the diversity that makes Toronto such a vibrant city.

One of the highlights of this year’s event is the range of registered activities. These include a HistoricTO Guided Neighbourhood Tour, where participants can learn about the history of the area around City Hall; an interactive Chinatown Community Lion Dance session at the City Hall Toronto Public Library branch; Indigenous Teachings in the Spirit Garden’s Teaching Lodge; and a guided tour of Toronto City Hall. Some registered activities have limited space, so it is a good idea to check availability in advance.

Toronto Newcomer Day also features drop-in activities, such as getting a free library card, soccer skills sessions and a friendly soccer match, art installations, alongside live music and performances throughout the day. 

Come visit our booth at Toronto Newcomer Day and say hello to our team. We will be there to meet you, answer your questions, and share helpful information about our services and upcoming programs. We would be delighted to connect with you and celebrate this day together.

Celebrating Vyshyvanka Day with CUIAS Immigrant Services
Joined thousands for the longest Vyshyvanka Walk outside Ukraine.
What a powerful celebration of Ukrainian heritage!

A rare chance to explore Toronto from the inside, gives visitors free access to historic landmarks, theatres, studios, places of worship, and hidden infrastructure sites across the city.

Doors Open Toronto allows residents and visitors to step inside some of the city’s most interesting spaces and learn more about the history, architecture, and communities that shape Toronto.

This year’s event takes place on May 23 and 24, with more than 160 sites participating across the city. Since it began in 2000, Doors Open Toronto has become the largest event of its kind in Canada and one of the largest in the world.

The 2026 theme, “The World in a City,” highlights Toronto’s multicultural identity and the stories, traditions, and communities that have helped shape the city over generations. 

One of the most appealing parts of the event is the opportunity to experience Toronto in a different way. Many participating locations are normally closed to the public or charge admission during the rest of the year. Even longtime residents often discover places they never knew existed. Some sites offer guided tours, exhibitions, talks, family activities, and behind-the-scenes access. Popular locations often include historic buildings, museums, theatres, universities, and city infrastructure spaces that people rarely have the opportunity to see up close.

Most sites are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some locations require advance registration or have limited capacity. Visitors are encouraged to check the official schedule and participating locations before planning their route.

For many people, Doors Open Toronto has become more than a weekend event - it is a celebration of the city itself.

World Vyshyvanka Day: A Symbol That Connects Us Across Borders

This year, on May 21, Ukrainians around the world celebrate World Vyshyvanka Day - a day of Ukrainian identity, culture, resilience, and unity.

What began 20 years ago as a small student initiative in Chernivtsi has grown into a global tradition that unites millions of Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine in many countries.

Vyshyvanka Day is a reminder that culture travels with us. It lives in our language, family stories, traditions, and embroidered patterns passed from one generation to the next.

This year, as we mark the 20th anniversary of World Vyshyvanka Day, we also honor those who defend Ukraine and remember those who have given their lives.

Wear your vyshyvanka and join us at to honor traditions and shared values.
Happy World Vyshyvanka Day!
З Днем вишиванки!

Happy Victoria Day!
Did you know? Victoria Day is one of Canada’s oldest public holidays, celebrated since 1845 in honour of Queen Victoria, known as the “Mother of Confederation.”

Today, Victoria Day also marks something many Canadians look forward to each year - the unofficial beginning of summer!

Across Canada, people celebrate by:
🚲 Enjoying parks, trails, and outdoor activities
⛺️ Opening cottages and camping season
🌳 Starting their gardens
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Gathering with family and friends outdoors
🎆 Watching fireworks and community events

Victoria Day is a great opportunity to experience Canadian traditions, celebrate community, and enjoy the beauty of the season.

Please note that our office will be closed on Monday, May 18. We will reopen on our regular schedule on Tuesday, May 19.

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Victoria Day long weekend!