| One of the advantages of living in Canada is the | | | | Those who move to BC from another province must |
| ability to use the Universal Health Care program that | | | | register to receive their card and number. This may |
| has been in place in the country for decades. This | | | | be done through your union or through your job, in |
| initiative is paid for by the various levels of | | | | which case the office should be contacted. |
| government through tax dollars, and alleviates many | | | | Otherwise, you need enrol yourself through a British |
| of the expenses involved with health care, such as | | | | Columbia government office or on the BC |
| the cost of a visit to the doctor or the hospital, | | | | government’s website. |
| various operations, prescriptions, and so on. | | | | Some individuals may qualify under the Health Canada |
| Although the program is called universal health care, it | | | | act or the Ministry of Employment and Income |
| is important to note that in reality it is carried out | | | | Assistance, in which case those offices need to be |
| from province to province. In large part this is due to | | | | contacted. |
| the traditional Quebec medical system; as a result of | | | | In order to qualify, you will have to prove that you |
| the difference each province has its own way of | | | | are a resident of the province. This means including all |
| administering and qualifying citizens for the program. | | | | documentation supporting citizenship or immigration. |
| In British Columbia, you must register for the Medical | | | | In order to be deemed eligible, a person must be a |
| Services Plan in order to access government-funded | | | | citizen or permanent resident of Canada, must make |
| health care. Once registered, you will receive a | | | | her or his home in BC, and live in the province at |
| personal health care card with your health care | | | | least six months in each calendar year. Any |
| number on it; this card and number are vital when | | | | dependants of a BC resident are automatically |
| using any medical services in the province, from | | | | covered under the resident’s plan. |
| hospital visits to doctor’s visits. | | | | It is worth noting that while MSP takes most of the |
| There are several ways to gain a personal health | | | | cost out of health services, many individuals will have |
| care number and card. | | | | to pay premiums each month if not covered through |
| Individuals born in the province are automatically | | | | their employers. The premiums will depend on income |
| registered through their hospital, and receive a card in | | | | level and need and are calculated on a monthly basis. |
| the mail. | | | | |