🇨🇦 Canada Healthcare Guide
Canada's healthcare system is administered province by province — what's covered in Ontario may not apply in British Columbia, and none of the thirteen provinces extend coverage to visitors. Even a straightforward ER visit in Toronto can cost several hundred dollars out of pocket, so having your medical history and current medications saved and accessible ready before you land is more useful than assuming the system works like the NHS or Medicare.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 911
- Healthcare system: universal-public
- Average GP visit: $0 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: low
Healthcare overview
Canada’s provincial health plans (OHIP in Ontario, MSP in British Columbia, AHCIP in Alberta) don’t extend to visitors, and an uninsured GP visit typically runs $200–400 CAD paid at the desk. Walk-in clinics cover most non-urgent care in urban centres and cost considerably less than emergency departments, which in cities like Toronto and Vancouver regularly see 4–6 hour waits. Having your health summary saved and accessible before you land means providers can act without the back-and-forth that uninsured visits often involve.
Walk-in clinics in cities
Most infections, minor injuries, and prescription queries can be handled at a walk-in clinic without an appointment. Look up the nearest one before you need it.
Provincial billing differences
Ontario, Quebec, and BC each bill uninsured patients differently for the same procedure. Knowing which province you are in helps you anticipate what you will pay at the desk.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Many combination products containing codeine are prescription-only across Canadian provinces, even those sold over the counter in the UK or parts of Europe, so worth checking before you travel. Pharmacies are accessible in all cities and most towns, but remote areas in northern Ontario, the Yukon, or Labrador can have limited stock with no same-day alternative. Carry enough of any ongoing medication for your full stay plus a buffer, and check local equivalents in advance if you rely on a specific brand.
Controlled substances at the border
Bring original packaging and a doctor’s letter for any controlled or opioid-based medication. CBSA officers will ask about any scheduled substances at the border.
Tips for travellers
Specialist centres in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver are comparable to major European institutions for complex care, but referral wait times are long even for residents. Visitors with ongoing conditions are better served by private clinics like Medcan in Toronto or Copeman Healthcare in Vancouver and Calgary, which accept direct bookings and typically see non-residents within 24–48 hours at a fixed rate. Having your condition history and treatment plan saved and accessible in English means Canadian providers can pick up your care without starting from scratch.
Private specialist access
Private clinics operate independently of the public system and do not require a referral. Medcan and Copeman Healthcare both serve non-residents directly.