Welcome to Canada! One of the most important things to understand is our healthcare system. It’s often different from what you might be used to. In Canada, healthcare is publicly funded, meaning you don’t pay directly for most doctor visits or hospital stays once you have your provincial health card (like OHIP in Ontario, MSP in BC, or RAMQ in Quebec).
This thread is a space to ask all your questions about healthcare. How do you get a health card? What’s the difference between a family doctor and a walk-in clinic? What should you do in an emergency? What about prescriptions or dental care? We can also discuss finding a family doctor, which can sometimes take a while, and understanding wait times for specialists.
Let’s share tips and resources to help everyone access the care they need. Don’t be shy – no question is too basic when you’re settling into a new country! You can find a good overview of the Canadian health care system here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system.html.