Canada - Health
The Canadian government does not pay for hospital or medical expenses for foreign visitors.
Health facilities are very good. For emergency medical care, visit a hospital emergency room or a walk-in clinic. Any treatment requires pre-payment.
The cost of medical treatment can be very expensive. You should obtain health insurance to cover any medical expenses before traveling to Canada.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:
Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date.
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for travelers undertaking high-risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food or water transmission may occur.
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated travelers.
Measles cases are increasing globally. It is recommended to be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Visit the Measles & Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report (2024) page on the Government of Canada website.
Prescription Drugs:
Keep all medications in their original, labeled containers. Carry a copy of the original prescription with you, making sure to include both the generic and trade names of the prescriptions in case of loss or theft. It is highly recommended to have a doctor’s note detailing the reason for your medication use.
Visit the Government of Canada website’s Travelling with Medication section for further details.
Emergency Numbers:
See Emergencies.
Contact information for local emergency response authorities and organizations can be found on the Government of Canada website.
Useful link:
Last updated: March 2024
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Next Section: Formalities: Local Customs
Related to following destinations: Canada
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Note – CANADA has some very specific and different VHF channels and you will need to be sure your VHF radio can access them.
Example: Channel 21B, and 83B provide Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) service (in English)
Most VHFs can switch between USA/International and Canada (check your manual). For more specific details check out this helpful site: https://www.boat-ed.com/canada/studyGuide/VHF-Marine-Radio-Channels/101199_116029/
Link to Waterways guide / Lakes loop is not working
This should do it.. https://www.waterwayguide.com/knowledge-center/news-post/3895/Choosing-your-Great-Loop-route-Atlantic-to-Great-Lakes,
As of early June, Canada Border Services has placed a temporary hold on Shelburne, Nova Scotia as a port of entry
The latest information we have (as of 9 June, 2020) is that Newfoundland has closed its borders indefinitely including for citizens of Canada. See https://www.noonsite.com/place/canada/formalities#biosecurity-section for updates.
Quebec City marina
The best advice is to contact the Canadian Reporting station and ensure that your passports are properly stamped on departure and to have all your official boat papers (including insurance) in order. The USA Customs & Border Protection (CBP) service does not normally issue a zarpe for boats leaving their shores and, conversely, does not appear to expect one on those arriving either.
I have a British-flagged vessel and will be leaving Canada for the US in May. I can find no reference anywhere on Transport Canada, or elsewhere, of ‘outbound clearance’ requirements. I am familiar with the entry requirements for the US… Is there a zarpe or equivalent, in order to leave Canada?
Regarding pepper spray: bear spray is fine. There is a size limitation and it to be designed for use with bears (it’s all in the labelling).