Moving to a new country always comes with numerous challenges, and one of the most important issues for newcomers is access to health care and social services. For many immigrants, refugees, and temporary residents of Edmonton, the first few months after arrival can be particularly difficult, as Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan provincial health insurance has not yet been arranged, financial resources are limited, and the language barrier makes it difficult to navigate the new health care system. Fortunately, Edmonton has an extensive network of free clinics, community health centers, and settlement organizations specifically designed to support newcomers in their adaptation to life in Canada. These facilities provide not only medical services, but also comprehensive support, including settlement counselling, mental health assistance, language support, employment assistance, and connections to community resources. Understanding where to find these free services, how to access them, and what documents may be required is critical to successful integration into Canadian society.
New Canadians Health Centre — a specialized centre for refugees
One of the most important health facilities for newcomers in Edmonton is the New Canadians Health Centre, which was created specifically to serve refugees during their first two years in Canada. This centre opened in August 2021 as a result of collaboration between academic institutions, local settlement and health care organizations, and the provincial government, and was a response to the critical need for specialized health care for refugees in Edmonton. The opening of the centre was particularly important following the closure of the previous refugee clinic in 2017, which left Edmonton as the only major city in Canada without a specialized health service for this vulnerable population.
The New Canadians Health Centre is located at B100, 10615 103 Street NW, Edmonton, inside the Catholic Social Services main building for refugee reception in downtown Edmonton. Since opening, the centre has served nearly 700 refugees, half of whom arrived from Afghanistan, demonstrating its critical role in supporting new Canadians. The centre operates on an innovative model based on principles that include providing culturally safe, interdisciplinary primary health care services that involve clients as partners in their care and are grounded in social justice, equity, and inclusion.
The uniqueness of the New Canadians Health Centre lies in the fact that all necessary medical services are available under one roof, which greatly simplifies access to medical care for refugees who have just arrived in the country. The centre provides comprehensive medical services, including care from family doctors, nurses, specialists, including a paediatrician, psychological therapists, an immunization clinic and other medical services. An important feature of the centre is that doctors are salaried rather than fee-for-service, which allows them to spend as much time as necessary screening patients with complex health histories, using a telephone translation service to overcome language barriers.
Center manager Astrid Velasquez, who herself came to Canada as a newcomer from Colombia in 2002, emphasizes that the center's mission goes beyond simply providing medical services. The centre is designed to address issues of health equity and social inclusion in a comprehensive and holistic manner, supporting the overall well-being of newcomers, especially refugees. The goal is to help newcomers feel safe and at home in Edmonton as quickly as possible by providing them with integrated and holistic care with continuity between family doctors and allied health professionals.
The centre is funded by Alberta Health for physicians, Alberta Health Services for support staff, and Catholic Social Services for the facility, with additional services provided by the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers and the Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative, as well as support from the Edmonton Community Foundation and various University of Alberta programs. The centre also has a working relationship with the Edmonton North Primary Care Network and receives support from the Edmonton Oliver Primary Care Network, providing access to a wide range of medical and social services.
To register with the New Canadians Health Centre, call (780) 540-9111 or send an email to [email protected]. The centre primarily serves government-assisted refugees during their first two years in Canada, during which time refugees receive comprehensive care that addresses their holistic health needs, including medical screening, treatment for acute health problems, referrals to specialists, and navigation of the health care system. The centre's long-term goal is to transition clients to a long-term primary care provider in their community after two years, as well as to provide stand-alone services to all new immigrants, regardless of their refugee status.
Radius Community Health & Healing — a community health centre for vulnerable populations
Radius Community Health & Healing, formerly known as Boyle McCauley Health Centre, is the oldest community health centre in Alberta and has played a critical role in providing free medical care to the most vulnerable members of the Edmonton community since 1979. Located at 10628 96 Street NW, Edmonton, in the inner city, it is the only non-profit, community-owned and operated health centre in Edmonton. Radius provides primary health care at no cost to patients, making it an extremely important resource for newcomers, people without health insurance, the homeless, and other vulnerable populations.
Radius' philosophy is to view the whole person and include them in decisions about their health care, recognizing that health is more than just the absence of disease and that social determinants of health play a critical role in people's well-being. Through Radius' doors, people have access to free primary care in a judgment-free space where all visitors are treated with warmth and respect, and no one is turned away. The center is an island of compassion, dignity, and emergency assistance for those facing hardship, and many who come to Radius have nowhere else to turn.
Radius offers a wide range of medical and social services that go far beyond traditional family medicine. The center provides primary care from family physicians and nurse practitioners, urgent care for minor emergencies such as suturing, burn treatment, and wound care, social services from social workers, psychological services for individuals and families with multiple systemic barriers to accessing mental health services, dental care at reduced rates based on income, chiropractic services from volunteer chiropractors during certain office hours, and access to Alberta Precision Labs for blood draws and other laboratory services on site.
Radius staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, behavioral health counselors, chiropractors, health advocates who are social workers, pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and medical assistants who work in an interdisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care. The center also has specialized programs, including the iHuman Youth Clinic, which provides primary care for traumatized youth who exhibit risky behaviors, and the Miyowayawin Clinic, which provides primary care and health promotion services for Indigenous elders and families at the Edmonton Native Healing Centre.
To access Radius services, call (780) 422-7333 to make an appointment. The centre serves low-income inner-city residents who face barriers such as homelessness, a history of addiction, mental health issues, lack of an Alberta Health Care card, or lack of access to a doctor. Although the centre is focused on the inner city, it welcomes anyone who needs help and cannot get it elsewhere. It is important to note that a new patient assessment is required to make an appointment with a doctor or nurse, but anyone can access the wound care clinic without a prior assessment.
Hope Mission Health Services — Medical Care for Homeless and Crisis-Affected Individuals
Hope Mission is the largest provider of shelter and hot meals for people experiencing homelessness in Edmonton, and also provides critical medical services through several health clinics located in various locations throughout the city. These clinics are walk-in clinics, meaning that anyone can come in during business hours without an appointment, making them particularly accessible to newcomers who may not have permanent housing or face other barriers to accessing medical care.
- Herb Jamieson Centre, located at 10014 105A Avenue, Edmonton, has a health clinic that operates as a walk-in clinic Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clinic staff includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, primary paramedics, emergency medical responders, and medical assistants who can provide a variety of types of care.
- Bruce Reith Centre Community Hub, located at 9908 106 Avenue, Edmonton, also has a health clinic that is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., although it is a smaller clinic, and community members are invited to visit the neighboring Herb Jamieson Centre clinic for additional services.
- Karis Centre Health Clinic, located at 10302 107 Street NW, Edmonton, also provides medical services Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and specializes in serving women, including those with health, mobility, or addiction issues.
Hope Mission clinics provide services such as wound care, foot care, emergency and overdose response, health assessments and medical appointment scheduling, prescription delivery arrangements, connections and referrals to community and medical resources, hospital and out-of-hospital connections, and assistance connecting to addiction and mental health services. The clinics also include social support, including access to registered social workers and the Housing and Support Hub team, which specializes in providing social support to community members with higher levels of need.
In addition to walk-in clinics, Hope Mission has an emergency response team that operates from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week. This team consists of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, primary paramedics, or emergency medical technicians who respond to medical emergencies inside or around the building, provide basic medical care, and connect community members to appropriate medical services. For more information about Hope Mission's medical services, please email [email protected] or call (780) 422-2018.
It is important to note that Hope Mission clinics are not just for shelter guests—anyone in the community can access the services offered in these spaces, including newcomers who may not have health insurance or face other barriers to accessing medical care.
Settlement organizations with free services
Edmonton has many settlement organizations funded by the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that provide free services to newcomers, including support in accessing health services, information about the health care system, settlement counselling, referrals to other community resources, and more. These organizations play a critical role in helping newcomers navigate Canada's complex service system and provide culturally sensitive support in many languages.
Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) is one of the largest settlement organizations in Edmonton, serving newcomer immigrants, refugees, and first-generation Canadians since 1982. EISA provides a wide range of free services, including one-on-one settlement counselling, where counsellors assess the needs of newcomers and develop a settlement plan with them, information and orientation seminars on various topics, including education, employment, housing, health, social services, the legal system, financial literacy, and more; referrals to EISA's accessible services or specific services in the community based on needs; connections to social events and volunteer opportunities for both individuals and families; and support for clients and their families in their overall well-being.
EISA operates in dozens of public schools in Edmonton and more than 10 library branches through the Library Settlement Program in partnership with the Edmonton Public Library, making settlement services available directly in the communities where newcomers live and work. Settlement advisors working in library branches can provide orientation to life in Canada and the new community, information on resources for newcomers, individual and group information sessions, information on housing, assistance with registering for language classes, career and employment information, education information, connections to established immigrants and Canadians, and supportive counselling.
EISA also has a Language Bank program that offers certified translations of basic documents needed for immediate settlement, educational, and professional purposes, such as diplomas, birth, marriage, death, or divorce certificates, as well as interpretation services in the client's native language to assist with meetings at government and other organizations. To use the Language Bank services, you can call EISA at (780) 474-8445 and ask to be connected to the Language Bank staff.
Most EISA services are free of charge. However, a minimal fee applies to document translation based on the size of the translation request, and you only pay for the translation once it is complete. A small fee may also apply to some tours or social events. To access EISA services, you will need to provide immigration documents, as a driver's license will not be accepted as proof of immigration status.
Catholic Social Services — Immigration and Settlement Service is another large settlement organization in Edmonton that provides free services to newcomers of all faiths and cultures. CSS is located at 8212 118th Avenue, Edmonton, and is open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CSS offers a Newcomer Settlement Program that can provide services to new immigrants in 30 languages, including one-on-one settlement counselling, where counsellors help immigrants and refugees learn about their new community, including information on health care, housing, and schools for children, assistance in explaining forms and applications, connecting newcomers to cultural or religious communities, and referrals to other programs and services.
CSS also offers a Cross-Cultural Counselling and Outreach Program, which provides free specialized counselling, support, and outreach services for immigrants and refugees. It is a safe, confidential space to talk about adjusting to life in Canada, work-life balance, relationships, social skills, decision-making, grief and loss, stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Interpretation is available, and counsellors can provide services in many languages. To contact CSS, call (780) 424-3545 or visit the office during business hours.
The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, recently renamed the Newcomer Centre, helps immigrants and refugees arriving in the Edmonton area achieve full participation in the community. The Newcomer Centre has two offices: Newcomer Centre Central at 10170 – 112 Street NW and Newcomer Centre Northeast at 11713 – 82 Street NW. The centre offers free therapy and counselling services in a welcoming, safe, comfortable and confidential environment, including services for children, youth, couples or individuals, and family therapy.
The highly trained staff at the Newcomer Centre takes into account cultural perspectives, immigration processes, and gender expectations, providing tools for building resilience, reducing social isolation, and successfully blending two cultures, as well as techniques for managing stress or anger. To access these services, anyone born outside Canada is eligible, including immigrants and refugees regardless of length of stay in Canada, as well as minor children of parents born outside Canada. Services are provided at various office locations, in schools, and at home when possible, and online services are also available. To make an appointment or get more info, you can email [email protected] or call the clinical director at (780) 566-0889.
Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op — Culturally Sensitive Support
Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op (MCHB) is a unique organization in Edmonton that has been in existence for 24 years to support newcomers to Edmonton. MCHB's goal is to improve the health and well-being of families and support their community-building efforts so they can thrive and actively participate in society. MCHB's cultural brokers come from immigrant communities and have first-hand knowledge of the social, economic, and language challenges faced by immigrants and refugees, making their support particularly valuable and effective.
MCHB offers two main programs: a provincial program for newly arrived families and immigrants with children 18 years of age and younger, covering all of Alberta, and a program in Edmonton for individuals and families born outside of Canada. The Well-being and Mental Health Program provides free counseling sessions, and clients can meet with a counselor as many times as they and their counselor deem necessary. Services include individual therapy for adults, adolescents, and children ages 5 and up, couples counseling, play therapy, trauma therapy, and holistic family support.
Because MCHB understands and values the importance of culture in who we are as human beings, counselors, who are clinical social workers, registered psychologists, and licensed clinical counselors, work with interpreters and brokers who share the same or similar culture as clients, when necessary and desired, to help overcome language and cultural barriers and provide holistic support. Counselors can meet with clients virtually regardless of where they live in Alberta, as well as in person at MCHB offices in Edmonton and at select rural locations.
All MCHB programs and services are provided in families' native languages and free of charge, making them particularly accessible to newcomers who may have limited financial resources or limited English proficiency. MCHB also offers perinatal support, multicultural family support, preschool readiness, parenting support, and a variety of other services to support the integration and well-being of newcomers. For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Magda Austen, Intake Worker, at (780) 423-1973, ext. 216, or by email at [email protected], or for services in other parts of Alberta, contact Mary Etem Mbiatem at (825) 333-6242 or by email at [email protected].
Primary Care Networks and Additional Health Services
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Edmonton are another important resource for newcomers seeking access to health services. PCNs are teams of doctors and health professionals who work together to provide Albertans with coordinated, quality care. Through your family doctor, who is a member of a PCN, you can access a variety of services, many of which are free, although some may require a referral from your doctor.
- Edmonton West Primary Care Network offers a variety of programs and services to support the health and well-being of patients. These programs and services are free, but some may require a referral from one of EWPCN's primary care physicians. EWPCN also has a medical clinic staffed by nurse practitioners who provide comprehensive primary care services to patients of all ages who do not currently have access to a primary care provider. Since the clinic opened in January 2024, EWPCN nurse practitioners have enrolled 967 patients who did not have a primary care provider.
- Edmonton North PCN also offers a wide range of services for patients who live in the Edmonton North area and are patients of member physicians. Services include short-term mental health support and counselling, group therapy, income support assistance, and referrals to community services. Edmonton North PCN also provides support to the New Canadians Health Centre, including access to a licensed practical nurse, a nurse practitioner, a behavioural health counsellor, a telephone interpretation service, and electronic medical record support.
Most programs and services at PCNs are free, with the exception of a small number of services provided in specialized clinics that are not covered by Alberta Health Care. Clients are informed at the time of booking if there are any associated fees for their appointment. To access PCN services, a referral from a primary care physician who is a member of the relevant network is usually required.
Provincial and municipal resources
In addition to community organizations and medical clinics, the provincial and municipal governments provide free resources and services for newcomers, including health information, settlement support, and counselling services that are available 24 hours a day and in many languages.
211 Alberta is a provincial information and referral service that provides information about community, social, health, and government services throughout Alberta. 211 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 2-1-1 from any phone in Alberta, texting INFO to 211, or through online chat at ab.211.ca. The service is free, confidential, and available in over 170 languages by phone. 211 community resource specialists can help newcomers find information on a wide range of services, including health care, housing, food, employment, education, legal assistance, mental health, addictions, newcomer support, and more.
Health Link Alberta is a provincial health information line that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides medical advice and information. When you call 811, registered nurses provide confidential medical advice and information about health symptoms and concerns. You can request an interpreter, and translation services are available in many languages, including Ukrainian and Russian. Health Link can help you with non-emergency medical questions, provide information about symptoms, advise you on whether you need to see a doctor or go to the Emergency Room, and refer you to appropriate medical resources.
The Edmonton Public Library offers Settlement Services in partnership with the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association at various library branches throughout the city. These services are provided by qualified settlement advisors who provide information about community services, resources, and government programs, and offer referral services for housing, legal assistance, and language training. Services are available to newcomers, temporary and permanent residents, and are free of charge. Each library location also has a Community Librarian who can help find answers to questions, and the library offers free resources and materials available in 30 world languages.
The City of Edmonton Citizen and New Arrival Information Centre is located at the south entrance of City Hall at #1 Churchill Square and is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This can be your first stop for information about city services, community services, education, housing, parks programs, recreation, waste disposal, settlement, services for seniors, transportation, and much more. If you do not speak English, an interpreter will be called. You can also call 311, 24 hours a day, for information about city programs and services.
For newcomers to Edmonton, free clinics and services are vital resources that can make the difference between successfully adapting and struggling with numerous challenges. Understanding what services are available, where to find them, how to access them, and what documents may be required is an important part of the settlement process. Whether through specialized refugee clinics such as the New Canadians Health Centre, community health centres such as Radius Community Health & Healing or Hope Mission Health Services, settlement organizations such as EISA, CSS, or the Newcomer Centre, Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op, or provincial and municipal resources such as 211 Alberta or Health Link, newcomers to Edmonton have access to a wide range of free support to ensure their health, well-being, and successful integration into their new community.