Canada Medical Careers

05/11/2022

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is pleased to align with the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) to acknowledge the outstanding work of family physicians and the central roles they play in our communities and in our health care system.

On May 19th the CFPC and Canada Medical Careers salutes the hard work and dedication of all family physicians across Canada—in every community, big and small—who are on the front lines of care and often the first point of contact for patients.

Throughout the pandemic, family doctors have bravely adapted to accommodate the needs of their patients by incorporating virtual care visits for patients; lending their expertise to hospitals and long-term care homes; volunteering to support the medical community outside their regular practices; advocating for enhancements to the health care system; and educating people about the importance of following public health recommendations to prevent the community spread of COVID-19. Above all, as front-line workers, family physicians put the needs of their patients and communities first, and for this we salute them.

03/25/2022

There have been changes by the Medical Council of Canada to the available MCCQE1 examination dates.

Previously, there were dates announced for July 2022. However, they have cancelled the July dates and extended others.

New dates:
April 13- May 25, 2022
August 17 – September 21, 2022
October 19 – November 9, 2022.

The dates in May are expected to fill up quickly as graduates of Canadian medical schools register. When making your plans to write the exam and relocate to Canada, keep in mind it takes 8-10 weeks to receive your grades.

12/28/2021

12/15/2021

If you are interested in practicing in Ontario, Canada which includes the Greater Toronto Area, you may have a pathway to obtaining an Independent Practice Certificate. Consider the information below and if you have any questions, please contact John@CanadaMedicalCareers.ca

On June 10, 2021, the MCC announced that it cancelled the MCCQE 2, and effective June 29, 2021 will award the LMCC to individuals who meet specified criteria, in absence of MCCQE Part 2.

This policy provides an alternative to the requirement for the successful completion of Part 2 of the MCCQE for physicians who hold the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) Qualification.

MCC continues, “the Registration Committee may direct the Registrar to issue a certificate of registration authorizing independent practice to applicants who hold the LMCC and are otherwise qualified for an Independent Practice Certificate of Registration and satisfy the non- exemptible requirements set out in Section 2(1) of Ontario Regulation 865/93.”

To learn more about how to obtain your LMCC (Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada please visit: https://mcc.ca/about/lmcc/

11/16/2021

Ontario is a very popular destination for overseas GP’s. Toronto, Ottawa, and other multi-cultural cities make Ontario a desirable place to practice and raise a family.

An IMG who wishes to obtain a certificate of registration for independent practice with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario must first meet the following requirements set out by the college.

1. Degree in medicine from an acceptable medical school.
2. Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada.
3. Certificate, by examination, by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) or the RCPSC.
4. Completion in Canada of one year of postgraduate training or active medical practice.
5. Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.

10/29/2021

New openings to practice as a GP in British Columbia:

Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, located in the beautiful province of British Columbia, are currently offering opportunities for GPs to practice! The West Coast of Canada is home to marine parks, stunning coastlines and wildlife, breathtaking archipelagos and fjords, and mild weather, making it one of the most stunning yet accessible provinces to live in the country. These regions offer a combination of mountain, coastal or river, and city access, making it an ideal location for both nature and city lovers. For more information about these opportunities, contact John at John@CanadaMedicalCareers.ca!

10/11/2021

At Canada Medical Careers we want to make your transition to Canada as easy as possible with some helpful tips.

1. Do not come to Canada without a credit card. Your hotel on arrival and car rental company will absolutely need a credit card. Debit or cash cards will not be accepted.

2. Bring an electrical adapter that converts 110 volt electrical socket so you can charge your 220 v devices. Most computers and phones will have built in adapters, but items such as hairdryers and shavers will not.

3. Have an active WhatsApp account on your cell phone as Canadian sims may not work and they are very expensive. However, WhatsApp is not widely used in Canada so plan on purchasing a cell phone soon after arrival.

4. Purchase a small amount of Canadian currency before you leave your London airport. You can in most cases also withdraw Canadian currency from cash machines in Canadian airports. If in doubt ask you bank in the UK if your card will be accepted worldwide.

5. Let your bank or credit card company know that you will be in Canada, otherwise your card might be declined due to suspected fraud.

Watch this page for more tips in the future.

09/16/2021

As the senior physician recruiter at Canada Medical Careers, I speak with many physicians who have a common complaint, especially physicians from the UK. This common complaint is the lack of a work-life balance. I hear stories of inefficient appointment schedules, never getting home before 7 or 8 pm, of massive amounts of admin work, and no time for a growing family.

A primary reason that physicians move to Canada is for the lifestyle. Most family physicians work an eight-hour day with plenty of time left over to spend with their families. Of course, if you want to increase your wealth, you can work many more hours. However, physicians with families often choose to experience new activities with their families. I love to hear about parents now able to have time to hike to a lake, rent a cottage, go fishing, take a simple forest walk, or camping.

09/09/2021

Ontario is the east-central province of Canada, sharing its borders with the United States. It is home to some of Canada's most popular destinations including the metropolitan city of Toronto, the Niagara Falls, and Canada's capital Ottawa.

There can be a number of reasons for moving to Ontario. You could move for employment opportunities, to pursue education in one of Canada's finest universities, or simply to experience a new way of life.

Ontario is the most populous province in all of Canada. That's because people from all over the world flock to Ontario because of the cultural value of its cities and its thriving economy. The following are the best cities to live in Ontario.

Ottawa: The Capital of Canada, Ottawa has an incredibly low unemployment rate of 4.6% and a strong median income of $91,000. It has also been labeled the best place to live in Canada.

Toronto: Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is one of the world’s most famous metropolitan cities. It is also one of Canada's most multicultural cities, with 49% of the population belonging to visible minorities. Toronto is widely considered to be the cultural center of Canada. In addition, Toronto is such a large city that you should look into the best neighbourhoods before you settle down.

Hamilton: Often referred to as the Waterfall Capital of the World, Hamilton is one of Canada's most visually stunning locations boasting a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the form of Dundurn Castle and a rich biosphere comprising over 100 waterfalls. It has recently also established itself as a hub for young entrepreneurs because of its relative affordability.

The cost of living in Ontario varies greatly from one location to the next. For example, the average rental rate for a one-bedroom in Hamilton is $907 whereas the average rental rate for a one-bedroom in Toronto is $2,230.

In terms of income taxes, Ontario has a moderate provincial tax rate of 11.5%, in addition to the country-wide federal tax rate of 15%.

08/25/2021

Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan is a great place to be a GP.

The city has business-friendly policies and a strong economy that have generally been reflected in a growing small business sector. In the last five years, small business employment in the health care and social assistance sector increased by 10.6%, and accommodation and food services increased by 9.7%.

Employees are sharing in the benefits of a prosperous small business sector. Over the last 10 years, nominal wages paid by Saskatchewan small businesses grew by 22.4%, compared to 2010.

Saskatchewan has the highest number of small businesses, per capita, of any province in Canada. Its capital city is Regina.

Saskatchewan’s population breakdown is:

• Total population: 1,261,000
• Rural population: 33.2%
• Seniors (65+): 15.0%
• Immigrant population: 10.5%
• Aboriginal population: 16.5%

08/19/2021

If you are serious about practicing medicine in Canada the first thing you should do is open an account with PhysiciansApply.ca. It is an online portal operated under the auspices of the Medical Council of Canada (similar to the GMC in the UK). Every doctor coming to Canada must have an account. This is where your credentials must be verified. These credentials include your passport, medical degrees and more. Every province and territory of Canada has a regulatory authority to handle physician licensing and these authorities (Colleges) will need to access your PhysiciansApply.ca account before you can be licensed in Canada.

Don’t wait! Some documents can be verified quickly, and others may take some time, especially if you attended medical school in a country that is slow to respond to inquiries from Canada.

If you are an IMG, licensing in Canada as a physician simply does not happen without a PhysiciansApply.ca account.

08/11/2021

🍁 Canada is approximately 40 times the size of the United Kingdom. Even the single province of British Columbia is four times the size of the UK.

🍁 There are ten provinces and three northern territories in Canada. Very few Canadians could name the three territories or will ever travel there. The largest provinces are British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. However, Newfoundland is half the size of the other provinces and is lightly populated with only 400,000 residents compared to Ontario with almost 15 million people. The Maritime provinces include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island and have a total population of 1.9 million residents. With a name like the Maritimes, many residents live on the coast.

🍁 Canada borders the USA and has the world’s largest border between two countries. Most of Canada’s population lives in a location near the US border simply because it is the warmest area especially in the winter.

08/05/2021

We asked UK GP's: What prompted you to consider a move to Canada?

What some UK GP’s said about Canada after relocating here:

"The freedom to practice without so much admin work is terrific. No home visits!"

"Here in Canada my patients actually respect me and my knowledge."

"There is not the fear of patient complaints here."

"My eight-hour days leave plenty of time to be with my family. Everyone is much happier."

"I am a confident general practitioner and I feel great making a difference for my patients."

"I can see that my family is healthier, happier, and more excited about life. It’s brilliant."

"Canada is so vast, our five-bedroom home is so spacious. We live very comfortably, and my earnings and savings are much higher than in the UK."

08/03/2021

We asked UK GP's: What prompted you to consider a move to Canada?

The keywords in their answers were: Anxiety, disillusion, sadness, lack of opportunity, a breaking point.

A few comments from these UK general practitioners:

"I knew there was a problem. Most days were hard to get through. The NHS pressures were always there."

"I have ambitious goals for my family and I. There was no way I would achieve these in the UK."

"I thought of giving up. I did not want to spend the next 20-30 years like this."

"I was doing my best, but I had no respect from my patients. It is the opposite in Canada."

"I was never present for my family. Yes, we did some fun things, but I was numb."

"I started listening to my gut and was determined to put my own well-being first."

"I knew I had a problem. When I left the surgery each night, I had a huge sense of relief come over me. It was time for a change."

08/01/2021

We are curious to hear your thoughts on choosing to live in Canada as a GP. Feel free to share your experience in the comments below!

07/31/2021

MCCQE1 Scheduling

In the past, some physicians had to wait until their documents were verified when applying to a Medical Council of Canada examination. There now appears to be a new policy, which enables physicians to apply without waiting for their documents to be reviewed. The message below is appearing on numerous PhysiciansApply.ca accounts that we are working with. Make sure to check your account for its status.

“If you submitted these documents to apply to a Medical Council of Canada (MCC) examination, you do not need to wait until your documents are reviewed - you can apply through your account. We will send you another message once we have reviewed your documents.”