The City of Brampton is partnering with several businesses and community organizations to offer a series of free city tours for newcomers to Brampton. A newcomer can be a new immigrant to Canada, who is settling in Brampton, or any new resident in the city.

The English-language tours introduce newcomers to their local government and their new community. Interpreters provide the tour information in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Gujarati.

With the help of Brampton Transit, Brampton Recreation and the Brampton Library, the tours highlight Brampton’s floral history and gardens and feature stops at key community facilities.

During the tours, Brampton Transit staff present a hands-on tutorial on how to use transit maps, bus tickets, transfers and electronic methods to pay fares, including PRESTO fare cards.

Tours take place on Wednesday, August 15, Thursday, August 16, Wednesday, August 22 and Thursday, August 23. Tours start and end at the Chinguacousy Branch of the Brampton Library. Space is limited, so, if you’re interested in participating, register by calling the Brampton Library at 905-793-4636.

Other highlights include:

• A guided tour of a recreation centre to explain programs and services available at the City recreation facilities, including instructions on how to use the Recreation Guide;
• A guided tour of the Chinguacousy Branch of Brampton Library emphasizing its no-cost family resources, including multilingual collections and multimedia resources and an opportunity to get a library card on the spot;
• A guided tour of the gardens at the Toronto Ontario Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; and
• A sumptuous snack, courtesy of the Mandarin Restaurant, with a visit to the gardens surrounding the Mandarin.

The newcomers’ bus tours earned a 2012 Corporate Leadership Award from the Canadian Urban Transit Association.