🇨🇦 Winnipeg Moving Resource Guide for U.S. Visitors

Welcome to Winnipeg! Like the States, we have many major stores and services to help you settle in quickly.

🛍️ Getting Started: Furniture, Cookware, & Home Essentials

Winnipeg offers a mix of large-format retailers and specialized local shops for all your home needs.

Category	Store Types & Examples (similar to U.S.)	Note for Movers
Furniture & Appliances	IKEA (large international retailer), Leon's, Dufresne, EQ3 (local Canadian modern design), Walmart (some furniture).	Many large stores offer delivery and assembly services for a fee. Check for sales, as pricing can be very competitive.
Cookware & Kitchen	Canadian Tire (all-purpose home/auto retailer), Real Canadian Superstore (grocery and general merchandise), Thinkkitchen (specialty kitchen), HomeSense/Marshalls/Winners (discount home goods, similar to T.J. Maxx).	Starter kits for dishes and cooking are widely available at major retailers like Walmart and Superstore.
Home Essentials & Decor	Home Depot/Rona (home improvement/hardware), HomeSense, Walmart. EQ3, IKEA	Thrift Stores/Secondhand: Excellent options for budget-friendly furniture and clothing include Salvation Army, MCC Thrift, and various consignment shops.

You'll find many familiar products and a diverse range of grocery stores, including large hypermarkets similar to a Super Target or Super Walmart.

Store Chain	Type of Grocery Store	U.S. Comparison
Loblaws/Real Canadian Superstore	Large hypermarkets with groceries, clothing, electronics, and home goods.	Walmart Supercenter, Super Target
Safeway/Sobeys/Co-op	Full-service, mid-to-high-end grocery stores.	Kroger, Publix
No Frills/FreshCo	Discount, no-frills grocery stores.	Aldi, Save A Lot
Walmart	Includes full grocery sections in its Supercenters.	Walmart
Specialty Markets	Winnipeg has excellent Asian markets (Lucky Supermarket, Young's) and others for diverse international ingredients.	H Mart, local ethnic markets

These are key organizations that provide free, confidential assistance to help new residents get established in Manitoba.

Service/Organization	Focus Area	Why Contact Them?
Manitoba Start	Central registration for all newcomers.	First stop for orientation, needs assessment, and referral to all settlement, language, and employment services.
Immigrant Centre Manitoba	Settlement, employment, language, and community connection services.	Get help with government forms, finding housing, and accessing local programs.
City of Winnipeg Newcomers Information	City services, utilities, and general orientation.	Official city resources on transit, property, and local governance.
Welcome Place (Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council)	Temporary housing and assistance, especially for refugees, but also offers general settlement help.	Support with life skills, housing search, and initial needs.

Banking: Canada has five major banks: TD Canada Trust, RBC (Royal Bank of Canada), CIBC, BMO (Bank of Montreal), and Scotiabank. Credit Unions (like Steinbach Credit Union or Assiniboine Credit Union) are also very popular. You will need to open a Canadian bank account.
Healthcare: Upon establishing residency, you will apply for a Manitoba Health Card (https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/registration.html). Wait times apply, so inquire immediately upon arrival.
Driving Licences are issued through Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) https://www.mpi.mb.ca/
Telecommunications: Major national carriers for mobile and internet are Rogers, Bell, and Telus. You will also find regional options like MTS (now Bell MTS) or lower-cost brands like Fido or Virgin Plus. You will need a new Canadian SIM card and phone number.

Social Insurance Number (SIN):

This nine-digit number is required to work in Canada or access government programs and benefits. You must apply for this through