Hamilton Street Railway(HSR)

HSR is Hamilton’s city-wide public bus transportation system, with many bus stops on and around McMaster’s main campus.

You will need to pay HSR bus fare out-of-pocket until you activate your Presto bus pass as a McMaster University student. Visit the Graduate Students Association site for more information about the HSR bus pass for graduate students. If you have any questions about your bus pass, contact the Graduate Students Association directly at macgsa@mcmaster.ca.

For more information about using your Presto Card, Visit the PRESTO website.

GO Transit

GO Transit is a network of train and bus lines that keep people moving around the Greater Golden Horseshoe. It is one of the most affordable options that connect you from Hamilton to places such as Toronto Pearson Airport and Niagara Falls. You may catch a bus on campus, at one of their many stops in the city, or at the Hamilton GO Centre.

Students with the HSR bus pass activated on their PRESTO Card are automatically eligible for Go Transit student rates. Visit the Graduate Students Association site for more information about the HSR bus pass for graduate students. If you have any questions about your bus pass, contact the Graduate Students Association directly at macgsa@mcmaster.ca.

Private taxi and rideshare services

• Taxi Services in Hamilton 
• Uber

Bikeshare

• Hamilton Bike Share

Private Vehicle

• Ontario Driver’s License
• McMaster Parking Services

Often, landlords will require:

• Application and deposit (to be used towards your first month’s rent)
• References
• Renters sign a Lease Agreement
• First AND last month’s rent to be paid on first day of tenancy (minus deposit)

NOTE: Ask your landlord for rent receipts.

For information about rights and expectations as a renter, check out Residential Tenancy Act, Ontario

Canada has five major banks. Each has student rates that you can ask about.

• Royal Bank of Canada
• TD Canada Trust
• BMO
• CIBC
• Scotiabank

To open a bank account, you will need

• passport
• study permit
• address verification (lease, bill, mail, etc.)

If you have a scholarship payment (refund) owing to you:

• For students residing in Canada, we will coordinate the refund for you and you will receive an e-transfer to your McMaster email address within a week after we process the payment.
• For students who have not yet arrived in Canada, your refund will be held in your McMaster account until you arrive in Canada.

Please note: Not all students will have a refund owing to them.

If you are paid Research Scholarship, TA, and/or RA in lieu of TA, these monies will be deposited directly into your bank account. This method of payment is mandatory.

Enrol in Direct Deposit

To receive your payments, you must submit your payroll information via the new Employee Self-Service portal in Mosaic.

Please note: You must have a Canadian bank account to enrol in Direct Deposit.

Cell phone rates in Canada are among the most expensive in the world. You may want to research different cell phone plans from different companies to find the best available rates that meet your needs. Some of the major service providers in Canada includes the following companies:

• Bell Mobility
• Fido
• Koodo
• Rogers
• Telus

Visit the City of Hamilton’s Internet in Hamilton page for comprehensive information about accessing internet and internet service providers in Hamilton.

Canada is a mosaic of cultural diversity and that is reflected in foods available in grocery stores and restaurants.

Several different grocery stores are available in the area surrounding McMaster’s campus, two of the largest of them are:

• Food Basics – 845 King Street W
• Fortinos – 1579 Main Street W

Notably, Nations Fresh Foods (2 King St W) offers a range of multi-cultural food products and is another popular grocery store with international students. It is located in the Jackson Square mall, easily accessible by bus from McMaster’s main campus.

For tips and strategies to help you shop on a budget – including student discount days – attend our orientation webinars or watch the webinar recording in our Orientation Webinar Library if you have missed our latest live event.

Clothing

What you decide to bring to Canada with you may depend on when you arrive and where you’re arriving from.

Winter weather in Hamilton can be harsh, while summers can be very hot and humid. For statistics about average temperatures, humidity, rain and snowfall in Hamilton, visit The Weather Network.

January start date

• December – February are the coldest months of the year. Bring warm clothing.
• If you are travelling from a warmer climate, be prepared to shop for winter-appropriate clothing once you arrive. This includes heavy outerwear – cold-weather coat, accessories – hat, scarf, gloves/mittens, winter boots.
• Prices vary. Check online or connect with others in the community to find the best places to shop that will fit within your budget.
• While outdoor spaces are expected to be cold, indoor spaces are well-heated.

May start date

• Spring weather is unpredictable in Hamilton. In an average year, temperatures will be moderate.
• Bring clothing suitable for cool weather and rain, including a coat.
• Be prepared for weather to fluctuate, especially between day and night time.

September start dates

• Summers are hot and humid, but by early September you are likely to experience more moderate summer temperatures.
• You will not need to purchase a winter coat at this time.

Canada’s seasonal shopping cycle

Shopping for clothing in Canada is seasonal. You may be able to find some outer clothing available year round, but the traditional shopping cycle is:

January–March

• Winter clothing is still available, but more limited in sizes and styles. You can often find clothing on sale after the December holiday season (December 26 and beyond).
• The first of Spring clothing will be available.

April-June

• Spring and summer clothing available, including seasonal outerwear for warmer weather.

July-September

• Summer and Fall clothing available.
• Most coats available during these months are not intended for cold winter use; they are late summer, autumn coats.

October-December

• Warm clothing for late fall and winter use.
• Winter coats and boots are available. If you do not have a winter coat, make sure to get one at this time. If available, check the temperature rating on the coat for reference.
• There are winter coats for every budget. In addition to regular clothing stores, check out stores that sells sportswear for additional options.
• You may find clothing on sale after the Thanksgiving holidays.

You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada. This means if you are expected to work as a teaching assistant (TA) or any kind of employment on or off campus, you must have a SIN before starting your position.

There is no fee to apply for your SIN. You can apply online, by mail, in person at a Service Canada Centre, or attend one of our many in-person clinics on campus (if available). It may also be possible for you to apply for your SIN at the Toronto Pearson Airport when you first arrive in Canada (note: this service is only available during business hours, for passengers who have just arrived in Canada). You cannot apply for your Social Insurance Number if you have not arrived in Canada.

There are two Service Canada Centres in Hamilton:

• 1565 Upper James St, Hamilton, ON L9B 1K2
• 700 Queenston Rd, Hamilton, ON L8G 1A3

Questions about your eligibility to work in Canada as an international student? Visit the Immigration Advising page.