Brampton city guide
For newcomers & families
Where the community is: Springdale, Castlemore, Mount Pleasant, Sandalwood and the Bramalea area have large South Asian communities, with plazas full of restaurants, sweet shops and grocery stores along Airport Road, Queen Street East and Bovaird Drive.
Health coverage
OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan)
Apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre with proof of status, residency and identity.
Driver’s licence
Ontario driver’s licence (ServiceOntario / DriveTest)
Licences from some countries can be exchanged; others start the graduated G1 → G2 → G process. Bring a letter of driving experience from your home country.
Getting around
Brampton Transit (Züm express buses)
Pay with a PRESTO card.
Schools
Peel District School Board
Dufferin-Peel Catholic DSB
Public school is free for children of permanent residents and most work- and study-permit holders.
Free newcomer help
Punjabi Community Health Services
Indus Community Services
Peel Newcomer Strategy Group
Settlement.Org (Ontario)
Free settlement services help with jobs, English or French classes, housing and paperwork.
First steps in Canada
Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Canada Child Benefit for families
Open a bank account and get a local phone number in week one.
Read the full newcomer checklist →
Festivals & events
Vaisakhi (April), Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas (October/November), Navratri garba nights and Eid celebrations draw big crowds across Brampton’s gurdwaras, mandirs and community halls.
Rules and programs change; always confirm on the official site before you apply.
Local directory
🍛 Indian restaurants
🍢 Pakistani restaurants
🥥 Sri Lankan restaurants
🍬 Sweet shops & bakeries
🛒 South Asian grocery stores
🙏 Gurdwaras
🛕 Hindu temples
👗 Ethnic wear & jewellery
💅 Beauty salons, threading & henna
⚖️ Lawyers & immigration services
CHK Immigration Services – Brampton ✓
Suite 203, 6475 Mayfield Rd, Brampton, ON L6P 4N2
(BLS) India Visa and Passport Application Center
10 Gillingham Drive, Brampton, L6X 5A5
🩺 Doctors, dentists & clinics
✈️ Travel agencies
🚗 Driving schools
🎓 Tutoring, music & dance classes
🎉 Banquet halls, events & community centres
💼 Other professional services
🍽️ Restaurants & cafés (all cuisines)
🧺 Supermarkets & food shops
🛍️ Shopping & retail
🔧 Auto repair, gas & car services
🏦 Banks & money transfer
🧰 Home services & trades
🏋️ Gyms, sports & recreation
🏫 Schools & childcare
⛪ Churches, mosques & other places of worship
🏛️ Libraries, community & public services
Some listing details come from © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and may be out of date. Own one of these businesses? Add or update your listing for free.
