Resources for New Residents

In collaboration with the Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership, the Town of Saugeen Shores has developed webpages with local information and resources for newcomer residents to help them navigate their new community and settle into their home in Saugeen Shores. Let us help you get familiar with our communities and and provide some helpful information. In addition to the resources below.

You can also request a new resident package that includes information pamphlets, waste and recycling schedules, maps, our destination guide, and more!

 

Explore festivals, events, and art exhibits from an array of cultural and religious backgrounds throughout Bruce and Grey Counties. Visit greybrucelip.ca/educate-celebrate to discover upcoming events.

Connection is at the heart of our community in Saugeen Shores. Joining community and cultural groups is a great way to meet new friends, network, and get involved. Below is a list of local and surrounding area cultural groups.


Southampton Heritage Society
Website: https://www.southamptonheritage.org/
Email: info@southamptonheritage.org
Promotes, protects, and advocates on behalf of the history, cultural heritage, cultural landscape, civil society of the Town of Southampton and surrounding area.

Port Elgin Islamic Centre
Phone: 519-386-8115
Email: portelginmc786@gmail.com
Jamia Imdadia is a Canadian Registers Charity Organization based out of Port Elgin.

Grey Bruce Chinese Heritage and Culture Association
Phone: 519-477-4893
Email: gbchineseheritage@teledyn.com
Sponsors a variety of educational, social and recreation activities for all ages.

Swajan Samanvay Santan Centre (Kincardine)
Phone: 519-396-9069
Website: https://sanatancentre.com/
Hindu Cultural and Spiritual Centre aimed to fostering an empowered and inclusive community.

Owen Sound Muslim Association
Phone: 519-980-3517
Website: www.osmuslim.ca
Juma, Taraweeh, Daily Prayers. Shahada, Kids Quran Classes, and more.

Our community offers great opportunities for joining different sports and leisure clubs, many of which are delivered by local community groups and organizations.

Discover local sports and leisure groups

 

Saugeen Shores strives to create a positive recreation experience and encourage healthy lifestyles in our community. We offer a variety of activities, including swimming, skating, cycling and recreation programs.

Learn more and register for municipal sports and recreation programs

If you need medical help, you can visit the closest hospital, make an appointment with a nurse practitioner, or visit your family doctor. The Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce (CMHA Grey Bruce) provides a variety of mental health and addiction services. 

There are many health care options available in Saugeen Shores for you and your loved ones. View our health care page.

If you need help finding a family doctor, please contact Grey Bruce Settlement and Language Services or call at 519-371-9222.

Spending time outdoors or participating in recreation opportunities is important for your mind and body. Here’s a list of our top five activities we think you should explore!

  1. Visit the beaches! Saugeen Shores is home to the beautiful beaches of Lake Huron. Head to Port Elgin Main Beach or Southampton Beach for a lovely day by the water!
  2. Enjoy the stores and restaurants downtown! Port Elgin and Southampton have a variety of stores, cafés, boutiques, and restaurants to visit all year long!
  3. Learn more about the history and culture of Saugeen Shores at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre with thrilling exhibits and activities for all ages!
  4. Hike or bike one of our trails! https://exploretheshores.ca/things-to-do/trails/
  5. Take a tour of Chantry Island! The Chantry lighthouse is filled with so much history and makes for an enjoyable day trip.


Browse our complete program and events calendar here

County Tourism Resources

Bruce County Tourism - Explore The Bruce
Saugeen Shores Tourism – Explore the Shores

For more information about available local recreational programs, please visit exploretheshores.ca.

Our Business Directory can help you find any shop or service you may need. Learn how to start a business, do business in Saugeen Shores and read our Community Profile for a clear picture of our Town's business climate, demographics and labour force.

View information on the Town's roads and snow clearing measures. There are many ways to get to and around Saugeen Shores, including using active transportation on town trails.

 

Below is a list of stores in or near Saugeen Shores that might help you find the ingredients you need for your favourite meals.


Grocery Store: Vanderwerf’s Independent
Phone number: 519-389-6800
Address: 1244 Goderich Street, Port Elgin

Grocery Store: Foodland Southampton
Phone number: 519-797-2552
Address: 41 Turner Street, Southampton

Grocery Store: Food Basics
Phone number: 519-389-3663
Address: 1110 Goderich Street, Port Elgin

Grocery Store: Walmart
Phone number: 519-389-6150
Address: 5122 Goderich Street, Port Elgin

Grocery Store: Giant Tiger
Phone number: 519- 832-3207
Address: 216 Goderich Street, Port Elgin

Bulk Barn
Phone number: (519) 832-6053
Address: 1199 Goderich St, Port Elgin

The Cooks Cupboard Port Elgin

Phone number: (226) 453-2225

Address: 183 Goderich St, Port Elgin

The Cooks Cupboard Southampton
Phone number: (519) 483-8000
Address: 169 High St, Southampton

Food Banks

Living Hope Food Basket Port Elgin
515 Goderich Street, Maple Square Mall Basement
Tue and Thu 12-3pm
Clothing available on Thursday 12-2pm

Salvation Army Food Bank (Port Elgin)
614 Barnes Avenue
Mon, Tue, and Fri, 9am-12pm and 1-3pm
519-389-3942

Saugeen First Nation Food Bank
37 Mason Drive, Saugeen First Nation
Mon to Fri, 9am - 430pm
Band members only

St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank Port Elgin
St. Josephs Catholic Church
920 Wellington Street
First and third Wednesday each month, 11am - 2pm
519-832-2207

 

Community Meals

Faith Lutheran Church Port Elgin
525 Ivings Drive
Community Dinner, free or by donation
Third Thursday of every month, October to March, 5-6pm
519-832-6811

St. Paul's Anglican Church Southampton
248 High Street
Community Dinner by donation
Second and fourth Wednesday each month, 5-615pm
519-797-2984

Tolmie Presbyterian Church Port Elgin
699 Goderich Street
Free community lunch
Third Tuesday each month, 12-2pm
519-389-4818

Thrift Shops

Green Boutique
Southampton United Church
18 Victoria Street
9am-12pm every Thursday and first Saturday if every month; every Saturday in July and August
Purchases by Donation
519-797-3803

Salvation Army Thrift Store
588 Gustavus Street, Port Elgin
Mon to Sat 11am-5pm
519-389-4246

Goodwill Community Store
1110 Goderich Street, Port Elgin
Mon to Fri, 9am-8pm
Sat, 9am-6pm
Sun, 10am-5pm

At the YMCA, we believe everyone deserves to feel connected, supported, and proud to call Grey Bruce home.

We offer friendly, free services to support you as you settle and build your life here in Grey and Bruce counties. Our team helps you feel connected, find resources, and understand your new community. We work with local partners to provide support that meets your unique needs.

We can help, support, and assist clients with:

  • Free eligible Language classes (LINC)
  • Interpretation and translation services
  • Citizenship Test Preparation classes and Application Review
  • Banking
  • Employment
  • Applying for government documents
  • Housing support
  • Childcare support
  • Transportation support
  • Workplace Integration Assistance

Learn more about Programs and Services for Immigrants and Newcomers here

Download the fillable Immigrant Services Referral Form

Find reliable banking at one of our local financial institutions. 

Meridian Credit Union
519-832-9011
626 Goderich St, Port Elgin

CIBC Port Elgin
519-832-9065
635 Goderich St, Port Elgin

TD Canada Trust
519-832-2035
723 Goderich St, Port Elgin

RBC
519-832-2084
556A Goderich St, Port Elgin

CIBC Southampton
519-797-3226
147 High St, Southampton

If you need assistance finding employment, below is a list of services available to you:

Saugeen Shores Adult Learning Centre

Offering English communication services for new Canadians who are unable to attend English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in large urban settings. We assess students using Canadian Language Benchmarks.

Learn more about the Saugeen Shores Adult Learning Centre

 

Port Elgin Library

Grey Bruce Settlement Services is here to support you in settling, integrating and calling Grey and Bruce counties your home.  Offered through the Port Elgin Library, this program offers free services to eligible Newcomers and is central place to help you feel more connected to your new community through many resources and partnerships with other local service agencies.

Learn more about the services offered at the Port Elgin Library

 

Shoreline ESL - English Classes and Conversations

Volunteers at Shoreline Baptist Church are providing opportunities for newcomers to practice their English skills.

English Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. These classes are very structured and focus on all four areas of English language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students work through a textbook and have homework assignments.

English Conversations are held on Thursday evenings and are more informal. The focus is on listening and speaking.

Shoreline ESL operates from September until May with a few breaks for school holidays.

For more information or to register, please visit https://www.shorelinechurch.ca/ministries/esl/

If you have questions about your new community of Saugeen Shores, use the contact information below to get answers to your questions.

Municipal Office Phone Number: 519-832-2008
Municipal Email: clerk@saugeenshores.ca
Municipal Website: saugeenshores.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SaugeenShoresON
Instagram: SaugeenShoresON
LinkedIn: SaugeenShoresON
E-newsletter: www.SaugeenShores.ca/Subscribe
Report a concern: Report a Concern - Saugeen Shores

Municipal Office Address and Hours
600 Tomlinson Drive
Port Elgin, ON NOH 2C0
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

211 is a helpline that can direct you to many helpful services including translation services, English as a second language courses, employment programs, and more.

Phone (multiple languages) or Text (English): 211
Email: 211info@communityconnection.ca
Website: www.newcomersbrucegrey.ca

Service Ontario can help you register for your identification and certificates, vehicle licences and health card. Contact Service Ontario at:

Service Ontario Port Elgin

559 Goderich St. Unit 119
Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C4

Phone: 519-832-9102
Toll-Free: 1-800-267-8097

Service Canada - Heritage Place Shopping Centre
1-800-622-6232
1350 16th St E, Owen Sound

Contact Us

Town of Saugeen Shores
600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820
Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
Phone 519-832-2008
Toll Free 1-866-832-2008
Fax 519-832-2140