Canada’s universal healthcare system
All Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply for public health insurance. When you have it, you do not pay for most health-care services as health care is paid for through taxes. When you use public healthcare services, you must show your health insurance card to the hospital or medical clinic.

Each province and territory has its own health insurance plan. Make sure you know what your plan covers.

All provinces and territories will provide free emergency medical services, even if you do not have a government health card. Restrictions may apply depending on your immigration status. If you have an emergency, go to the nearest hospital. If you go to a walk-in clinic in a province or territory where you are not a resident, you might be charged a fee.

Provincial and territorial ministries of health:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec (in French only)
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Extra health insurance
Government health insurance plans give you access to basic medical services. You may also need private insurance to pay for things that government plans do not fully cover.

The most common types of plans are extended health plans. These cover costs for:

prescription medications
dental care
physiotherapy
ambulance services
prescription eyeglasses
If you work, you may get extra coverage from the company or organization you work for.

Getting a health card

To get health care in Canada, you will need a health insurance card from the province or territory where you live. You must show this card each time you get medical services. Learn more about how to get a health card.

The waiting period to get public health insurance
Residents in some provinces must wait a certain period (up to three months) before receiving government health insurance (contact your provincial or territorial ministry of health to know how long you will need to wait). Make sure you have private health insurance to cover your healthcare needs during this waiting period.

At 10 million square kilometres, Canada is the second largest country in the world according to landmass. The population, however, is significantly smaller at approximately 30 million people, which is about one-tenth of the population of the United States.

Canada is bordered by three oceans: the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Pacific. The country is divided into geographical regions according to climate, industry, and landscape: Atlantic, Central Canada, Prairies, West Coast, and North.

There are three levels of government in Canada: federal (nation), provincial (provinces), and municipal (cities). Canada is grouped into 10 provinces and 3 territories, each with its own capital city. The national capital of Canada is Ottawa, Ontario.

Canada is the one of the leading G-7 Nations. The economic and social structures of the country are highly developed with excellent working conditions, a respected education system, and a high standard of living. The Canadian health care system is ranked one of the best in the world.

The Canadian population includes immigrants from virtually every country in the world. Every year Canadians welcome more than 200 000 new immigrants into the country. The contributions made by immigrants to businesses and communities are significant and important to Canada's continued economic and social growth. The federal and provincial governments promote multiculturalism and encourage the continuous development of Canada's cultural mosaic. Canadians come from many diverse backgrounds and cultures, and these heritages are celebrated both for their similarities and differences.

Once receiving landed immigrant (permanent resident) status, new Canadians receive full citizen rights. These rights are protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In order to apply for a Canadian passport and be eligible to vote, you must become a Canadian citizen. You may apply for citizenship after residing in Canada for three years.

For more information about Canada (including: economy, government, land, and society) please visit:

Government of Canada official site

LMIA

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada must usually get before hiring a foreign worker.

A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker can do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a Confirmation letter.

Your proposed employer must contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). ESDC will provide details on the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application process.

Do you need an LMIA?

There are two ways you can find out if you need an LMIA. You can review the list of LMIA exemption codes yourself, or you can contact an International Mobility Worker Unit for help.

Review the LMIA exemption codes

• Go to the Labour Market Impact Assessment exemption codes table, and review the list of regulations.
• Select the LMIA exemption code that seems most relevant to your hiring situation, and read the detailed description provided.
• Take note of the exemption code that applies to you. You will need to include this code in your offer of employment.

If you need help determining if you need an LMIA, contact the International Mobility Worker Unit for your province or territory.

Contact an International Mobility Worker Unit

International Mobility Worker Units (IMWU) help employers determine if the temporary worker they want to hire is exempt from the LMIA process or exempt from a work permit.

If you believe an LMIA or work permit exemption applies to your situation, you can request an opinion from an IMWU if the temporary worker is

from a visa-exempt country; and
currently outside of Canada.
If the temporary worker you want to hire is not from a visa-exempt country or is already in Canada, the processing officer reviewing their work permit application will determine if an LMIA exemption applies to their situation.

The border services officer at the point of entry will consider the opinion given by the unit when the temporary worker applies for their work permit. The opinion does not guarantee entry into Canada.

Requested information and supporting documents must be submitted to the IMWU at least 30 days before the date that the worker plans to enter Canada.

You can reach the IMWU serving your province or territory by email.

• Toronto International Mobility Worker Unit serves
  • Ontario,
  • British Columbia,
  • Alberta,
  • Saskatchewan,
  • Manitoba,
  • Yukon,
  • Northwest Territories and
  • Nunavut.

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Montréal International Mobility Worker Unit serves
  • Quebec,
  • Nova Scotia,
  • Prince Edward Island,
  • New Brunswick and
  • Newfoundland and Labrador.

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The units will respond to LMIA and work permit exemption enquiries only.

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