Canada - British Expat Forum

First the good things. People generally are much more pleasant and the shop assistants are so polite. Driving is less stressful too. In Ontario I was able to swap my UK drivers licence for a Canadian one. No test.

Some of the bad bits. Car insurance is very expensive and your no claims bonus means nothing here. You start as a new driver. I bought an old car just to gain some time while I built up insurance credit.

Health care is limited too. You have to pay for all your drugs at the market price. It can get very expensive. My brother in law's drugs after surgery for one month cost over $500 And you have to pay the pharmicist for dispensing each item. $4-10. And doctors are scarce. Lots of people don't have one.

I've been here for almost a year and those for me are the downside. But I love it here. I wouldn't go back to the UK for anything. If you really want to come here take the plunge you'll find it a great adventure.

Not sure if this topic is dead but wanted to comment on a few things... Healthcare I know has been mentioned. Hubbie is here on an open work permit so can't even get a health card. I have become unwell and have to wait months for a biopsy and the worry it getting too much...

I won't comment on drivers - but they are just 'amazing' - the tailgating and disregard for anyone else is unreal!

I never thought I'd miss the NHS!!!

Tigger

Helen....I hope all is OK for you. I went to a hospital in the county of Quebec the other week and was amazed to find that there were not enough beds for patient and patients were on gurneys in corridors waiting for beds....I mentioned it to my colleague and she said Welcome to Canada, this is quite normal.

Not sure if they have bed managers in the hospitals over here like they do in the UK but it was a sight to see!

Love it here though and life is good!

Thanks Nickyash - good to hear from you! We never did get together for that beer eh!

Someone else posted a reply as I was asking re private methods to get biopsy done - and he said if it is available publicly then they won't do it privately - oh my!! A big change from the NHS eh!!!

GLad you are otherwise loving it! If I get my health sorted and keep my job (find out today if we all lose ours!!!) then life will be good - otherwise we may have to rethink!

Helen

Hi Helen.......I do know of a private clinic in Quebec that out of state residents can go to.I am not too sure what services they offer but give me a PM if you need to know more info.It may only be for Joint replacement hope I can help

If you are still here over the next few months come up to the cottage for some R & R (rest and recuperation...not rock and roll!)

Nicky

This topic was all about Canada's down sides and it settled on problems with health care. Although I have been here for decades, I have recent experiences with the NHS in relation to my and my wife's parents. I could list all kinds of things that are wrong with our health care in Canada but I would not swap it for anywhere else, and especially not for the NHS. In Ontario I had good care all my life, no matter what the problem. For the last eight years we have lived in Nova Scotia. I expected the one down side from the move here would be a lower standard of health care, after all there is a very small population here and Nova Scotia is a "have not" province. We were surprised to find our health care here is superb; no other word for it. Now in my 60's, I have my fair share of the usual things, but no matter what the issue I get well looked after. Britain has a two tier health system.

I recall seeing doctors in the NHS who told me I would need a procedure to relieve an issue, there was a long, long wait for it to be done, but they could do it almost immediately if I had it done privately by them (i.e. paid them a large sum of money). Here in Canada, universal, free health care is jealously guarded by all. It is illegal for a doctor to charge for a procedure covered by a provincial health plan, and just about all procedures are covered.

The down sides? Well, in health care, if you are used to the state providing all your medications free, the cost of drugs here can be a shock. However, most have just about full coverage from their employers. Those that do not can deduct the costs on their taxes, reducing the impact. (Many in the UK would not understand that aspect - taxation here - but it's a huge topic in itself). There are some waits in the health system for particular procedures. This is well recognized by the governments who are working to correct it. But ... if I need an x-ray, I just drop into my local hospital at my convenience and it is complete in usually less than an hour. If I need blood work, same thing, no appointments. When I see health care workers they are always up-beat, smiling, helpful and accommodating. Doctors' waiting rooms are cheerful, bright places where a laugh and a chat are the norm. (Yes, I know that sounds odd, but that's what I find.) I have had friends here who have needed hospital care as in-patients for all kinds of problems. Without exception they shake their heads at how wonderful was the care they got. My English mother in law who lives with us recently saw our doctor and mentioned she was concerned about some spots on her abdomen. We were due to go on a trip out of country two days later. The doctor told her there was no way she should go away worried about something like that. There and then she wrote her a referral letter to a specialist, made a phone call, and she saw the specialist one hour later. That's just one example of many.

That's a little about health care here. Canada has many other down sides but it's like loving your spouse. When you love your country, any down-sides become so unimportant.

Agree with Buddy Boy, we done it the other way around - NS first then ON. Few niggles with distances and lack of doctors where we were in NS but they pulled the stops out, and here in Picton it is wonderful with no waiting.