Health & Medical

Travel Health Insurance

Before leaving home, review your health plan to see whether your coverage extends to travel outside your home country. If you’re not covered, be sure to obtain travel health insurance before visiting Canada. And remember to carry your insurance ID card and emergency numbers with you when you visit.

Canadian Hospitals & Medical Services

Canadian hospitals and medical services provide an excellent standard of care. Most hospitals are publicly managed with costs for services set by provincial and hospital authorities. Hospital care for non-residents of Canada is charged at a daily rate or calculated based on medical condition and length of stay. Charges vary across the country, but range from CAD$1,000-$2,000 a day.

Hospital emergency rooms are open 24 hours for emergency care. Most cities also have walk-in clinics where non-emergency treatment or consultation is available without an appointment. Costs vary by clinic and medical attention required. Check local phone books in the yellow pages section under "Clinics, Medical" for a list of walk-in clinics.

For more information on health and safety for travelers to Canada, visit the Canada International website.

Prescriptions & Pharmacies

Remember to bring along all prescription medications you expect to need during your visit, as well as copies of your prescription in case you run out. You’ll find pharmacies easily accessible throughout Canada. Most large cities have at least one 24-hour pharmacy operation and many grocery stores have in-store pharmacies.

All prescription medicines should be carried in their original containers, with pharmacy labels indicating the type of drugs and that they are being used under prescription. If you don’t have the original package, bring along a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor.

It is also a good idea to bring along an extra pair of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, or alternatively, a prescription from your eye doctor in the event your glasses or contact lenses need to be replaced.    

Emergency Services

Most Canadian cities have 911 emergency services. In an emergency, you can reach police, fire or ambulance services by dialing 911 on any telephone. If 911 service is unavailable, dial "0" for the operator and ask for police, fire or ambulance service. There is no charge for emergency calls placed from a public pay phone.

Immunizations & Vaccinations

No special immunizations or vaccinations are required to visit Canada. If you’re traveling with children, it’s always a good idea to ensure they are up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations before international travel. Contact a qualified health professional in your area for more advice. For current travel health information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website.