The information on this page is most relevant to families moving to or in BATUS. For any other locations within or outside of Canada, please see our General overseas postings page.
Whether you are housed in Ralston village, Medicine Hat or Calgary, the opportunity to live in Canada holds many benefits for embracing a different culture, travel and adventure sports, with some of the best skiing in the world.
With temperatures ranging from summer highs of 30C, to winter lows of minus 30C, and spectacular scenery, it is a great place to explore.
However, due to its unique setting, it can also feel an isolated and remote location for those who are not prepared. There are a few things to take into account before accepting a BATUS posting.
You will be in a different time zone to the UK (seven hours behind), so communication links with family and friends in the UK need to be planned.
The local supermarket is a 45-minute drive away in the town of Medicine Hat. There is a Canex store in Ralston village, which offers basic essential food items, but the choice is limited and it is expensive.
With limited public transport, some members of the community struggle if they can’t drive. Transport is provided three times a week to Medicine Hat and will drop you off in a variety of locations. It is on a ‘book-up’ process so if no one books it, the run will not happen. Information is provided by the UWO as part of your welcome brief about this service on arrival in BATUS.
With such hot summers and very cold winters, family life is different to the UK and the attached documents set out what families need to consider in the respective seasons to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Back to topIt is important to ensure that all family members have a valid passport. If you need to apply for a new or renewed passport, allow plenty of time for your passport to be processed and sent to you before you travel; at least eight weeks if applying by post.
If you are running out of time, then consider visiting the passport office in person to secure your passport.
You can claim back the cost of your passport for all immediate family members where renewal or initial application is necessary. Claim this in advance to avoid leaving yourself out of pocket, but remember to keep all receipts as these will be checked by your Regimental Admin Officer (RAO).
Back to topIf anyone in your family has a disability and/or additional need, you will need to register this with APC according to AGAI 81, Part 8 – supportability and additional needs and complete the Annex L – Career Management Proforma, so that your family can be supported when assigned overseas. More information can also be found in MOD Policy Assessment of Support Needs For Accompanied Assignments Overseas.
For more information on this process see the military policy support on our additional needs page.
Back to topHousing applications in Canada are by manual 1132 which will be sent to families once Assignment Orders have been processed and contact is made. Any enquires regarding housing, applications or allocations can be directed to the housing email address which is DIORDOSTrg-Can-Housing@mod.gov.uk or you can contact our Overseas team at overseassupport@aff.org.uk with any general queries at any time.
Families should note that there is a separate housing policy that is very unique to BATUS. Allocations are based on family size rather than rank but most houses do have basements for additional space. All houses are fully furnished with adequate furniture. Occupants are not encouraged to bring their own furniture as BATUS operates a no ‘warfing policy’ which means what is in your property at move-in remains there for the duration of your assignment.
Families should expect to have to get a Canadian landline or mobile as the Canadian Forces Housing Authority (CFHA), Canada’s Amey or their contractors, will only contact you via a Canadian number.
There is no ‘fuel and light’ system in place in Canada like those that may have operated at previous assignments.
In Ralston, water and waste costs are met by the Crown, therefore do not result in a bill. Gas costs are met direct from the Service person’s pay, resulting in a debit for actual usage every three months (the costs are low as the gas price is subsidised). For electricity, families in Ralston pay the nominated Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces supplier (currently EPCOR) direct and the bill is made up of usage and a delivery charge which is standard in Canada. It is your responsibility to ensure that the supplier has your correct contact and billing details although this will be explained to you on move-in.
The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) owns, maintains and sustains the quarters that families live in in Ralston and is responsible for the contract for the electricity supply to the village. The contract is reviewed and re-tendered regularly to ensure it remains competitive. There is no National Grid in Canada that could be used by multiple suppliers hence Ralston is committed to whichever company is contracted to provide the supply to the base.
Families that are accommodated in Medicine Hat will pay their full GEGW to the local authority (which is explained at move-in), then claim back on a monthly basis ‘utility charges’ via JPA for water, garbage, refuse and the carbon tax levy.
Families in Redcliff are responsible for paying their gas and electricity charges to the local authority, with the Crown paying the water, garbage and refuse charges. There is no requirement for JPA transactions for families living in Redcliff.
Back to topMove-in – a minimum of eight weeks’ notice must be given to the housing team for your move-in.
Move-out – a minimum of four weeks’ notice must be given to the housing team for your move-out.
On the day of your move-in you will be met by the welfare team at your SFA. The welfare officer and housing officer will run through the same process as a DIO housing officer would do on move-in in the UK.
Back to topIt is very important that at the first opportunity you visit the pass office to obtain a car pass and ID card for family members to be able to access camp. The welfare officer will assist you with this process.
Back to topIt is important to note that employment opportunities are limited for spouses. Government employment is only available to Canadian citizens.
In order to work in Canada, dependants must obtain a work permit.
Non-UK passport holders
For any dependants who do not hold a UK passport, it is important to note the following information provided by the BATUS administration team.
Non-UK passports
If any members of the family or single soldier do not hold a UK passport they will require a Canadian visa directly from the Canada Visa Application Centre at 66 Wilson Street, London, EC2A 2BT, tel +44 203 603 3860 or see embassynvisa.com/canada-visa-application-centre-in-london-united-kingdom/
Non-UK passport holders must also have their biometrics taken before flying to Canada. Appointments can be made in person or by phone.
Any spouses with Non-UK passports who intend to work while in Canada will require a Canadian work visa not a Canadian visa, they are different. When applying for your Canadian visa you must stipulate if the spouse plans to work. You would then ask for a Canadian work visa. The cost is the same as outlined below. If the spouse only receives the Canadian visa they will not be able to work in Canada. Once the Canadian work visa has been received a copy should be sent to Ms Cann, Sharee.Cann676@mod.gov.uk.
The cost of the Canadian visa and biometrics are as follows: visa $100, biometrics $85 for one person, $170 for two family members or more. These costs can be claimed back on JPA.
If you submit your application and it is rejected you must immediately inform the Families Section by emailing UKSTRATCOM-DefSp-DSCOM-FamSec@mod.gov.uk and BATUS without delay. The application process can take up to 12 weeks or more, so please apply at the earliest opportunity.
UK passport holders
If you are a UK passport holder then an application form for a dependants’ work permit will be included in the arrivals’ pack that you will receive once your Assignment Order is confirmed.
The application can be completed before arrival or once you are settled in your SFA in Canada. When completing the application, the address used must be your Canadian address. The application must also have the applicant’s and spouse’s original signatures.
Once completed it will need to be scanned and emailed to the BATUS Arrivals Clerk whose details will be included in the pack.
The application will then be sent to Ottawa for processing and once returned you will receive an email explaining the next process for when you land in Calgary to commence your posting.
There are two types of work permits: generic and open. An open permit is essential if you intend to work with children or in health care. To obtain an open permit you must have completed an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) prior to arriving in Canada or this can be done once you have arrived and are settled into your SFA. The cost of the medical is at your own expense.
If you have any queries about work permits prior to receiving the pack or wish to find out where in the UK the medicals can be completed, then do not hesitate to contact the BATUS Team at CTG-BATUS-0GPMailbox@mod.gov.uk or alternatively, email AFF at overseassupport@aff.org.uk.
The main opportunities to work on camp are in the Canex or within childcare settings. If you plan to work from your home, you will need to apply for a business licence. Please note that if housed in Medicine Hat you will not be able to run a home business from these properties as they are leased on different contracts to the houses in Ralston and landlord liability will not allow any home-based businesses to be approved. The base commander will need to sign off on any plans to work from home in any capacity if housed in Ralston.
As detailed above, if you are hoping to work in childcare, Canada insists that you have an open work permit and for that you would need to have completed the medical examination as a condition of your permit. Many spouses complete the medical in the UK which means that, upon arrival in Canada, they can immediately acquire the permit ready to start work. The medical costs around £400 and unfortunately this is a personal cost and will not be refunded by BATUS.
For spouses seeking employment with children in the pre-school sector, it is also essential to bring transcripts and parchments of any UK qualifications. Both parts of the qualification are required to show the specific units that have been passed. If spouses don’t have or can’t obtain their qualification parchments and transcripts (if their educational establishment is no longer in existence, for example) then to be employed at either of the pre-school establishments in the village, they have to take the Level One childcare qualification, which is a free online 50-hour course organised through the Military Family Resource Centre in Ralston village.
If you are hoping to work in the fields of medical, dental or social care, then there are specific challenges regarding recognition of UK qualifications. If these are areas relevant to you then contact Elaine Giles at the Military Family Resource Centre vfp.coord@gmail.com and she will be able to provide you with some additional information.
There are two organisations which employ the majority of spouses seeking employment in Ralston village. Both organisations fall under the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Service (CFMWS).
Personnel Support Programmes (PSP), which employs spouses in areas such as recreation, demands ‘UK reliability screening’ of every applicant for any job to accompany their application. This screening can only be obtained from within the UK. However, the second organisation (the Military Family Resource Centre) does not require that screening.
With limited paid employment opportunities in Canada, an alternative option could be to volunteer; not only will this bridge any gaps in your CV, but you’ll also be making a positive contribution to the community.
There are numerous volunteer opportunities in Canada, including SSAFA, animal rescue and rehoming centres, youth groups, victim support and the food banks for example.
If you are considering undertaking employment or training during your posting to BATUS or have any questions, contact our Overseas team at overseassupport@aff.org.uk
See also our Overseas employment page.
Back to topWhether you have been working in Canada or not, as a Service spouse or civil partner you will be able to claim National Insurance credits to maintain your National Insurance record for any time spent accompanying the soldier in Canada after 6 April 2010.
These National Insurance credits will protect your entitlement to the basic state pension and certain contribution-based Social Security benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.
You can apply for your credits by obtaining a form from the welfare officer which will be stamped and verified to confirm your entitlement to claim. These forms do also form part of the exit pack that you will be given towards the end of your posting at BATUS.
Back to topThe key aspect to note is that children are taught within the Canadian education system and they start school at a later age in Canada than in the UK.
Also, whilst the school year is the same as the UK, running from September to August, the class your child will be placed in is determined by their age on 28 February, not 31 August.
There is NO Service Children’s Education (SCE) provision for children in BATUS, but there are two dedicated SCE teachers employed to work in the school in Ralston village to ensure that an appropriate curriculum is followed.
Families with children aged four upwards accompanying them during their assignment to BATUS will go to the The Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK) approved school in Ralston Village. As this school follows a Canadian curriculum there is no provision for GCSE education; therefore, children must be able to return at the end of their assignment to begin UK Year 9 (GCSE option year), claim CEA (Boarding School) or serve unaccompanied.
There is no educational support beyond UK Year 8 (equivalent) in BATUS.
Given the differences in schooling between UK and Canada, the Commander reserves the right to veto parental choice on the basis of safeguarding concerns and/or value for money, which must include transport costs in line with JSP 834 (education of Service children).
Families based in Calgary will attend local schools.
GCSE education is not possible in Canada, nor is supported distance learning available for this age group. Support of children with Special Educational Needs is also difficult in BATUS.
It is strongly recommended that you discuss your children’s needs at the earliest opportunity with Mrs Sonia Stanton at sonia.stanton@prrd.ab.ca, or contact the The Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK) for further information and guidance.
In 2017, Defence Children’s Services produced an Educational Suitability Review paper, which families can access to enable them to make an informed choice.
Childcare is provided by the Military Family Resource Centre. The licensed daycare facility is called Kiddie Kare and is a programme for 0-4 years 11 months. The programme hours are 8:45am-2:45pm daily if the community need is there and the minimum number of children to attend the session is met. Sessions are all-day sessions and must be pre-booked. All enquiries can be emailed to Becky Verishine (Child & Youth Services Co-ordinator) at mfrc.childandyouth@gmail.com.
Parents of three- and four-year-olds in overseas locations can apply for a reimbursement of nursery fees through the Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA), where MOD schools and nursery settings are not available.
If you would like the latest educational suitability reviews for Ralston, Medicine Hat and Redcliffe, Alberta, Canada please contact the The Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK)
Back to topAll entitled family members can access medical and dental care on camp.
If a specialist referral is required, you may be seen in Medicine Hat or Calgary. You will be allocated an Alberta Healthcare card, which entitles you to basic and emergency care within Alberta, but if you travel out of province, you will need to obtain travel insurance similar to what you receive to travel abroad in the UK.
The health visitor for BATUS families is based in Ralston village and the ‘Healthy Child Programme’ is followed as it would be in the UK. Immunisations will be given according to the Canadian schedule but the health visitor can provide advice and assistance with this.
Families should note that there are no UK midwives available and the maternity system is very different from UK. However, full pre-natal and post-natal care is available under the Canadian system supported by the health visitor located in the village.
Back to topThe import and export of pets between Canada and the UK/Europe is very expensive. As a general rule, the larger the animal, the greater the cost will be. If you are planning on bringing a pet, then you will need to complete the pet’s section on the form that accompanies your arrival pack.
On arrival in Canada, you need to register your pet, for free, with the HEM and PSP. They will give you a tag, which your pet wears around their collar, so it can be easily identified if lost.
If you are hoping to bring your pet then it is advised that you start to research options early. You will also need to seek permission to keep a pet and not all houses in Medicine Hat will allow pets so this may limit your housing options.
There are limited off-leash areas to exercise pets in Canada. Dogs and cats must be leashed or contained in gardens in all areas of the village and Medicine Hat unless you are in a dedicated off-leash area. On move-in pet owners will be advised of which areas are on or off-leash. Cats are never allowed to roam free.
Back to topYou may be able to bring your current car to Canada on the two main sailings, generally in November and February, if space is available. However, you will drive on the opposite side of the road to the UK and your vehicle must be suitable for the harsh Canadian environment and temperatures. Most families do purchase a car on arrival – often from the family that they are taking over from or other families moving out.
Serving personnel assigned to BATUS may drive in Canada on a valid UK driving licence in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
It is possible for dependants to drive in Canada on a valid UK driving licence for the first 90 days (day 1 taken from the day you arrive in Canada). After 90 days you are required to obtain an Alberta driving licence (there are no exceptions to this rule).
To receive an Alberta driving licence without completing a full Canadian driving test you will be required to hand over your UK driving licence to the Licensing Officer. Once handed over the original licence is not returned to you, but sent to the Serious Investigations Unit Canada, who will validate your licence and destroy it after five years.
If you are in possession of a valid driving licence from another country, please check to see if your current licence can be exchanged for an Alberta driving licence.
If you have any questions, contact your Unit Welfare Officer or overseassupport@aff.org.uk.
Back to topAll military personnel must have a bank account into which pay and allowances can be paid. It is recommended that you maintain your UK bank account throughout your Canada posting, but once in Canada you can also open a Canadian account and will have the option to split pay between your UK and Canadian accounts according to your needs. Opening an account is a relatively simple process and will generally be required in order to obtain a credit card, which is useful for travel, as most hotels will only accept credit card bookings online. Retaining your UK bank account will be useful to meet the needs of regular UK payments such as standing orders or direct debits for insurance, mortgage repayments or hire purchase and for deposits and benefits.
Bank cards with the VISA, MasterCard and various other symbols may be used at Canadian ATMs. There may, however, be a charge for using the cash point by your UK bank. Your bank can advise on any charges that you may incur. A chip and pin service is offered at the Forces post offices with the limits on withdrawals set at £250 per week and a maximum of £1,000 per month per entitled person.
Back to topTelephone, television and broadband packages are available, but are more expensive than the UK. The only provider able to service Ralston village is Shaw and they will contact you on move-in to arrange set-up. Houses in Medicine Hat have more options on which provider to use.
Your quarter will be fitted with a telephone port, but will not be connected to a service, or have a telephone. Many telephones are sold on the local Buy and Sell page for Ralston but they are relatively inexpensive if a family decide they want a landline. Most families tend to just use their mobile phones.
There is a selection of mobile phone networks available but they are significantly more expensive than in the UK. Most UK providers do now allow “roaming” within the UK so it is worth checking with your current provider to see if you can continue to use your UK mobile phone in Canada. You can then obtain an app on arrival to provide you with a Canadian phone number if you find that would be of benefit.
Handsets are particularly expensive to buy in Canada. You can bring your handset to Canada with you, but will need to ensure that it is unlocked to all networks.
If you don’t want to use your UK mobile while in Canada, then you should contact your network provider to arrange disconnection prior to arrival.
BFBS delivers TV and radio in Canada through their station that is based in Ralston. Chat 94.5FM is the local station and country music is definitely the norm for all stations except BFBS. Most families also use Netflix or Amazon as Canadian TV does differ markedly from the UK!
Back to topAs BATUS is a training area during the ‘prairie season’, some jobs require the serving personnel to spend extended times away from the family, so be prepared for single parenting on occasions.
Many families find the long summer holidays a great time to return to the UK to see relatives.
Overall, the chance to live in Canada is an amazing opportunity. If you love to explore new places and experiences, then Canada could well exceed your expectations.
On receipt of your next Assignment Order, you can start planning your move.
Documentation/UK entry requirements
Everyone travelling must have a valid passport with at least six months remaining to present at both exit and entry airports/ports.
Ensure that you have the correct documentation required for travel, not only for entry into the UK but also for transiting countries en-route to your final destination, especially if you are intending to tie the trip in with any leave periods. Please seek advice from your UWO.
Visa requirements for non-EEA citizens
Please visit the Foreign & Commonwealth section for all information.
Start looking for work at Forces Families Jobs.
The MFRC can assist with converting UK-style CVs to Canadian resumes and also back again for return postings to the UK.
You will need to:
Alternative sources of information can be found either through the other Families Federations or the HIVE and iHIVE:
Naval Families Federation
RAF Families Federation
On behalf of the chain of command Army HIVE delivers information, arrival packs and deployment packs to support the military community on a variety of topics. In some locations support is available face-to-face through a network of HIVE Information Centres and HIVE information support officers, as well as online through social media https://www.facebook.com/ArmyHIVE and www.twitter.com/ArmyHIVEinfo
The tri-service International HIVE (iHIVE) provides location-specific guides and information available to download from the iHIVE blog at internationalhive.blogspot.com.
If you have a question or would like to receive the latest pre-arrival information to help you make an informed choice about accepting an assignment to BATUS, please contact us at overseassupport@aff.org.uk
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