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Essential health care is available either free or at low cost,
depending on where in Canada you choose to settle, but you must be
registered with the provincial health care plan to benefit from this.
A word of advice: medical costs in North America are easily the highest
in the world, so it is crucial that you register for a health plan soon
after you arrive.
Health care in Canada is administered by provinces rather than the
national government, so the type and extent of coverage depends on
which city you move to.
As with the SIN, every individual in your family must have their own
Health Card. There is a waiting period of about three months before you
actually begin to be covered by the provincial health plan, so it is
imperative to apply soon after you take up residence in Canada. The
exception is in Alberta, where new immigrants can seek coverage from
the day they arrive.
The health plans go under different names, depending on the province
you’re in. In Ontario, for example, it is called Ontario Health
Insurance Plan; in British Columbia you would sign up for the Medical
Services Plan. The differences go beyond just the name. Services
available for free in one province may be available for a small fee –
or not covered at all – in another. (Which is why it is important
to ask a physician if there is a cost involved before you receive any
services).
Of the four most popular provinces with new immigrants, Ontario and
Quebec do not charge for health coverage, while British Columbia and
Alberta have monthly premiums ranging from about $35 for individuals
without dependents to $70 for families. (You will be entitled to
subsidies until you start earning income).
To apply for a health card, you will need to visit a provincial health
ministry office (they go by different names depending on the province
you are in). For the centre nearest you, call one of the numbers listed
below:
- Ontario: (416) 314-5518 in Toronto. Toll-free for rest of Ontario 1-800-268-1154
- British Columbia: (604) 666-2083
- Quebec: (514) 283-2306
- Alberta: (780) 427-1432 in Edmonton. Toll-free for the rest of Alberta call 310-0000 and ask for 427-1432
You will typically need to carry three separate original documents that
prove your immigration status, your residency and your identity. New
immigrants are often thrown by this requirement as they do not possess
most of the papers listed as acceptable by health authorities. (This is
why we urged you earlier to open a bank account and get a driver’s
licence).
Make certain you carry the following documents:
- Your Immigrant Visa and Record of Landing
- A bank account statement or a Temporary Driver’s Licence
- Any one of these: Your SIN card, credit card, bank card, library card, certified marriage certificate or passport.
As mentioned earlier, it takes about three months before your health
card is mailed to you and your coverage actually begins. If you or
anyone in your family
has a medical condition, it is important that you buy private health
insurance for the interim period. Call the Canadian Life and Health
Insurance Association at 1-800-268-8099 for advice and a list of
insurers you can use.
Transfer your funds
When you first enter Canada, immigration authorities will ask you how
much money you are bringing with you or intend to transfer in at a
later date. They will also likely provide you with a minimum figure
that you should deposit into a Canadian bank account within 30 days of
your entry. This figure is typically between $10,000 and $20,000
depending on the size of your family. If you haven’t already done so,
make sure you place the agreed amount into your new bank account within
your first month.
You do not need to inform immigration authorities that you have
actually transferred the funds – the banking system is structured so
that they are automatically notified.
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