☐​ Sign your letter of employment
​​☐​ Activate your Brock email
☐​ Complete payroll and benefits onboarding on Workday (if applicable)
☐​ Brock card: upload your picture and pick up your Brock card
​​☐ ​Ask your supervisor to submit a Security Access Request Form (SARF) if you need card    access to lab or office spaces
☐​ If driving to campus: obtain a parking permit
☐ ​If taking public transportation to campus: obtain a bus pass
☐ ​Review your department’s health and safety policies
☐ ​Complete any necessary lab safety training on Brightspace
☐​ Review Brock’s Research Ethics
☐​ Get familiar with Brock’s campus through the Interactive Campus Map

If you have any questions, reach out to [email protected].

General Health Coverage

For coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), you are required to register through Service Ontario as soon as you arrive in Ontario. There is no charge for OHIP.

Additional information can be found by visiting the OHIP website.

Extended Health and Dental Benefits 

Extended health and dental benefit plans provide coverage for services not included in UHIP or OHIP, such as dental care, eye care, prescription drugs, and other health benefits. Your eligibility for these benefits depends on your appointment type.

• Supervisor-Funded Postdocs: Full-time employees are automatically enrolled for the Brock Extended Health and Dental Plan. For more details, contact [email protected]
• Externally Funded Postdocs (Paid Internally or Externally): These appointment types have the option to opt-in to the GSA Extended Health and Dental Plan.
  • Enrolment periods: September 1-30, January 1-31, May 1-31

For more information or to enroll, please contact [email protected]

Temporary Accommodations (subject to availability)

Residence 8/Lowenberger Residence Room

• Temporary accommodation for postdocs is also available through Residence 8 or Lowenberger Residences (subject to availability). These hotel-style suites are temporary (less than 6 days). For more information, please visit the Housing Services website. Stays can be booked through the website.

Quarry View Room

• The Quarry view living space is a 2-bedroom unit specialized for global scholars, visiting faculty, and postdoctoral fellows. Each bedroom has a private bathroom, a shared kitchen, and a common area. All utilities plus Wi-Fi are included in the cost. To inquire about booking a Quarry View room, please fill out the availability form, and for any questions, please email [email protected]. Please note that accommodation is not guaranteed and is based on the current availability of eligible units.

Long-Term Accommodations

Quarry View Room (on-campus)

• The Quarry view living space is a 2-bedroom unit specialized for postdoctoral fellows. Each bedroom has a private bathroom, a shared kitchen, and a common area. All utilities plus Wi-Fi are included in the cost. To inquire about booking a Quarry View unit, please fill out the availability form, and for any questions, please email [email protected]. Please note that accommodation is not guaranteed and is based on the current availability of eligible units.
• Note: if you have a partner/spouse/family, you will need to find off-campus accommodations

Off-Campus Living (off-campus)

• Long-term accommodations can also be found in the surrounding St. Catharines and Thorold area. Rental units can be anything from single bachelor apartments or shared rooms to a full house. Be sure to always view a property and consider other factors such as privacy, distance from the university, and nearby amenities before deciding if it is right for you. If you are new to renting in Canada or in general, it is highly recommended that you contact Brock’s Off-Campus Living to learn about tenant agreements and other supports available.

Support

• For on-campus accommodation support, visit the Housing Services website or contact [email protected] for help.
• For off-campus accommodation support, visit the Off-Campus Living website, contact [email protected], or visit in-person at Mackenzie Chown A-204. Off-campus services can provide you with a variety of services, like offering information on tenant agreements and leases, tenant rights, life in the region, and helpful links and resources. Information on childcare and local schools is also available for postdoctoral fellows arriving with dependents.

Opening a Bank Account

One of the first steps after arriving in Canada is opening a bank account. Canada’s banking system is secure and efficient, though not always free. Each bank offers different services, so be sure to compare their options to find the best fit for you financial needs.

Major banks in Canada:

• Scotiabank (a branch and ATM are conveniently located on campus)
• Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
• Bank of Montreal (BMO)
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
• Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank)

Taxes

If you are working in Canada temporarily as a non-Canadian, it is important to understand your tax obligations. Your tax obligations are dependent on your residency status in Canada. To find out more about your residency status, please visit the CRA website.

As well, free tax clinics are often available at Brock University through ExperienceBU or the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.

Brock International

Brock International hosts immigration information sessions, drop-in sessions, and one-on-one consultations. To view and sign up for their various events, visit their ExperienceBU page.

Orientation 

International postdocs can enroll in the Brock International Orientation session. Postdocs will be provided with a campus tour and presentation that outlines various on- and off-campus resources, including but not limited to transit, health insurance, banking, shopping, and recreation. Postdocs will have available various travel, academic, immigration counselling, and career support. For more information on fees, visit the Global Scholars website. To book an orientation session, please email [email protected]

General Health Coverage (for international postdocs)

For coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), you are required to register through Service Ontario as soon as you arrive in Ontario. There is no charge for OHIP.

Additional information can be found by visiting the OHIP website.