How to Find a Family Doctor in Canada as a Newcomer
By WelcomeAide Team
Quick Summary
- A family doctor (general practitioner or GP) provides ongoing primary care, preventive check-ups, referrals to specialists, and manages chronic conditions.
- Walk-in clinics are convenient for one-time visits but do not provide continuity of care the way a family doctor does.
- Every province has a patient registry or matching program to help people without a family doctor get connected to one.
- Nurse practitioners (NPs) can diagnose, prescribe medication, and provide primary care similar to a family doctor.
- Telehealth services are available across Canada and allow you to consult a doctor or nurse by phone or video.
- You need a valid provincial health card to access publicly funded medical care in most situations.
Why Having a Family Doctor Matters
When you arrive in Canada, one of the most important steps for your health and well-being is finding a family doctor. A family doctor, also called a general practitioner (GP), is a physician who provides comprehensive, ongoing medical care. Unlike visiting a walk-in clinic where you may see a different doctor each time, a family doctor gets to know your medical history, your family's health background, and your personal health goals. This relationship is the foundation of Canada's healthcare system.
Having a regular family doctor means you receive consistent preventive care, including annual physical exams, vaccinations, cancer screenings, and mental health support. Your family doctor coordinates your care across the healthcare system, referring you to specialists when needed and following up on test results. Research consistently shows that patients with a regular primary care provider have better health outcomes, fewer emergency room visits, and lower overall healthcare costs.
Walk-in Clinics vs. Family Doctors
Many newcomers rely on walk-in clinics when they first arrive because they do not yet have a family doctor. Walk-in clinics serve an important role in Canadian healthcare. They are open without appointments, often have evening and weekend hours, and can handle a range of non-emergency health issues such as colds, minor injuries, infections, prescription renewals, and basic lab requisitions.
However, walk-in clinics have significant limitations. The doctor you see at a walk-in clinic typically does not have access to your full medical history. Each visit is treated as an isolated encounter. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma, managing it through walk-in clinics is far less effective than having a family doctor who tracks your progress over time. Walk-in clinic doctors also generally cannot refer you to specialists, which means you may end up needing to find a family doctor anyway for referral-dependent care.
Info
In Canada, you typically need a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner to see a specialist. Walk-in clinic physicians may not be able to provide these referrals depending on the province and clinic policies.
When to Use a Walk-in Clinic
Walk-in clinics are appropriate when you need care for a non-emergency issue and cannot wait for an appointment with your family doctor, or when you do not yet have a family doctor. Common reasons to visit a walk-in clinic include sore throat, ear infections, urinary tract infections, skin rashes, minor cuts requiring stitches, prescription refills for existing medications, and travel vaccination consultations. If your concern is urgent but not life-threatening, walk-in clinics bridge the gap between your family doctor's office and the emergency room.
How to Register for a Family Doctor by Province
Canada's healthcare system is administered at the provincial and territorial level, which means each province has its own system for connecting patients who do not have a family doctor. Here is how the process works in several major provinces:
British Columbia
In British Columbia, the Health Connect Registry (formerly the Health Authority patient attachment programs) helps residents find a family doctor or nurse practitioner. You can register online or by calling 8-1-1 (HealthLink BC). Once registered, you are matched with a primary care provider in your area as one becomes available. Wait times vary significantly depending on where you live. Urban areas like Vancouver may have longer waits than smaller communities.
BC has also expanded its network of Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs), which provide same-day or next-day care for non-emergency health issues. UPCCs are designed to reduce pressure on emergency rooms and provide a bridge for people who are still waiting for a family doctor.
Ontario
In Ontario, the Health Care Connect program helps residents without a primary care provider get matched with one. You can register online through the Ontario government website or call ServiceOntario. Ontario also has community health centres (CHCs) that provide primary care on a walk-in or registered basis, often serving newcomer and underserved communities specifically.
Alberta, Quebec, and Other Provinces
In Alberta, you can search for family doctors accepting new patients through the Alberta Find a Doctor tool. In Quebec, the GAMF (Guichet d'acces a un medecin de famille) is the provincial registry for finding a family doctor. Each province and territory has a similar system. If you are unsure how to register in your province, calling your provincial health information line (8-1-1 in many provinces) is a reliable starting point.
Nurse Practitioners as Primary Care Providers
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced education and training who can provide many of the same services as a family doctor. NPs can diagnose conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and manage chronic diseases. In many provinces, NPs can also refer patients to specialists. Choosing an NP as your primary care provider is an excellent option, especially in areas where family doctors are in short supply.
NP-led clinics have expanded across Canada in recent years. These clinics are fully funded by provincial health insurance and provide the same standard of care as physician-led practices. If you are offered a spot with a nurse practitioner through your provincial registry, it is worth accepting. The scope of care is comprehensive, and many patients report high satisfaction with NP-led primary care.
Tip
When registering with a provincial patient matching program, indicate that you are open to being matched with either a family doctor or a nurse practitioner. This can significantly reduce your wait time.
Telehealth and Virtual Care Options
Telehealth has become an integral part of Canadian healthcare, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Every province offers some form of telehealth service that allows you to speak with a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional by phone or video call. These services are covered by provincial health insurance and are free with a valid health card.
In British Columbia, HealthLink BC (8-1-1) provides 24/7 access to registered nurses who can assess your symptoms and advise you on next steps. Ontario offers Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. Most provinces have similar nurse-staffed telephone lines available around the clock.
Virtual Walk-in Clinics
Several virtual walk-in clinic services operate across Canada, including Maple, Telus Health MyCare, and Tia Health. These services connect you with a licensed physician by video call, often within minutes. While some of these services charge fees for patients without a health card, most consultations are covered by provincial health insurance if you have a valid card. Virtual clinics are particularly useful for after-hours care, prescription renewals, and situations where visiting a clinic in person is difficult.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first appointment with a new family doctor is typically a "meet and greet" or initial assessment. The doctor will ask about your medical history, including any pre-existing conditions, surgeries, allergies, current medications, and family health history. It is helpful to bring any medical records you have from your home country, even if they are not in English or French. Many clinics can arrange translation, or you can have documents translated beforehand.
Documents to Bring
For your first visit, bring your provincial health card, government-issued photo identification, a list of all medications you are currently taking (including dosages), any medical records or test results from your home country, and your immunization records if available. If you have been seeing a walk-in clinic, ask that clinic to provide a summary of your visits and any test results to transfer to your new doctor.
Warning
There may be a waiting period before your provincial health insurance becomes active, typically up to three months in some provinces. During this waiting period, consider purchasing private health insurance to cover medical costs. Without insurance, a doctor's visit can cost $50 to $200 or more out of pocket.
Language Support
If English or French is not your first language, you have the right to request interpretation services. Many hospitals and larger clinics provide professional medical interpreters at no charge. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to accompany you, though professional interpreters are preferred for medical consultations to ensure accuracy and privacy. Some provinces fund telephone interpretation services that your doctor's office can access during your appointment.
Tips for Finding a Doctor Faster
The shortage of family doctors is a well-known challenge across Canada. Here are practical strategies to improve your chances of finding one sooner. First, register with your provincial patient matching program immediately upon arrival. Do not wait until you need medical care. Second, expand your geographic search. If you live in a major city, consider doctors in surrounding suburban or rural communities. Third, ask your settlement agency for recommendations. Organizations like ISSofBC and MOSAIC often have connections to healthcare providers who serve newcomer communities. Fourth, check community health centres, which often have shorter wait times and offer wraparound services including social work and mental health support. Fifth, consider pharmacists for minor ailments. In several provinces including BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, pharmacists can now assess and prescribe medications for a list of common minor conditions.
Resources and Next Steps
Finding a family doctor takes persistence, but the effort is worth it. A regular primary care provider is your gateway to the full range of Canadian healthcare services. Below are key resources to help you get started:
- HealthLink BC (8-1-1): Health information and nurse advice line, available 24/7 with translation in 130+ languages
- Health Connect Registry (BC): Register at healthlinkbc.ca or call 8-1-1
- Health Care Connect (Ontario): Register at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect
- Alberta Find a Doctor: Search at alberta.ca/find-a-doctor
- GAMF (Quebec): Register at quebec.ca for family doctor matching
- College of Family Physicians of Canada: cfpc.ca for general information about family medicine
WelcomeAide is here to support you through every step of settling in Canada. Our AI Newcomer Navigator can help you find healthcare resources in your area and answer your questions in your language. Explore our blog for more newcomer guides, learn about our mission, or see how to get involved in supporting newcomer communities across Canada.