How to find a family doctor in Canada: the official waitlists in each province and what to do while you wait
Where to register in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, and the free alternatives you can use until your turn comes: 811, walk-in clinics, virtual care and your pharmacist.
Every Canadian province has a free, official waitlist where you register to get a family doctor or nurse practitioner: in Ontario it's Health Care Connect, which you can join online or by calling 811; in Quebec it's the GAMF; in British Columbia, the Health Connect Registry; and in Alberta, Alberta Find a Provider. Registering doesn't guarantee an appointment by any particular date, so you also need to know where to get care while you wait: the 811 nurse line, walk-in clinics, virtual care where it exists, and your pharmacist, who in several provinces can prescribe for minor conditions.
Before you start: get your health card first
Most of these waitlists ask for your provincial health card number. In Ontario, for example, you need a valid OHIP number, and in Quebec a valid health insurance card from the RAMQ. So apply for your card as soon as you arrive, and find out when your coverage starts in our guide to health coverage in Canada by province.
In Nova Scotia you can register before your card arrives, but only by phone through 811. Some services, such as virtual care and pharmacy clinics, aren't available to you until you have the card, though.
Official family doctor waitlists by province
| Province | Official service | How to register | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Health Care Connect | Online, or by calling 811 at any time (TTY: 711) | A valid OHIP number is required |
| Quebec | Guichet d'accès à un médecin de famille (GAMF) | Through the GAMF portal or Carnet santé Québec, or by phone through your region's waitlist office (GACO) | A valid health card, and aged 14 or over or registered by someone who is |
| British Columbia | Health Connect Registry | Online, or by calling 811 with interpretation in more than 130 languages | You register yourself and your family members in the same request |
| Alberta | Alberta Find a Provider | An online search tool, or leave your details for them to contact you; help through 811 | Lets you search yourself for a clinic accepting new patients |
| Manitoba | Family Doctor Finder | Online, or by phone: 204-786-7111 in Winnipeg, or 1-866-690-8260 toll-free | Phone lines open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Nova Scotia | Need a Family Practice Registry | Online, or by calling 811 Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | You must phone if your health card hasn't arrived yet |
For the other provinces and territories, start with the province's page in our provinces guide, or ask your province's health line which list it uses.
Ontario: how Health Care Connect works
You register with your personal details and health card number. You can also add basic health information; it's optional but helps with matching. After registering you get a confirmation explaining the next steps while you wait.
When they find you a doctor or primary care team, you receive a referral by mail with the name of the doctor or team. After the first appointment, it's up to you whether to stay with them. If they aren't a good fit, you can register again by calling 811. You can update your information or withdraw from the program at any time online or through 811.
Details on coverage and service centres are on our Ontario page.
Quebec: register with the GAMF, then use the GAP
Quebec's system is different and works in two stages:
- The GAMF list: you register to be assigned a family doctor, a specialized nurse practitioner or a group of doctors. Your health card must be valid, you must not already be registered with another doctor, and you must live at the address in your RAMQ file. Priority depends on your health, and the government says openly that it can't tell you how long the wait will be.
- The GAP (Guichet d'accès à la première ligne): for residents who don't have a family doctor or specialized nurse practitioner. It suggests the right resource for your situation, which may be a pharmacist, a nurse or a doctor. You reach it through the online platform or by calling 811 and choosing option 3, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Since 15 April 2024, specialized nurse practitioners in primary care clinics can treat people on the GAMF list before they are assigned a doctor. And "network access" family medicine groups see patients without a doctor for semi-urgent problems, such as a persistent fever, flu, a severe sore throat, a urinary tract infection or a cut that needs stitches.
Quebec also has Info-Santé 811, free every day of the year. Option 1 connects you with a nurse who assesses your situation, and option 2 with a psychosocial worker. More about the province on our Quebec page.
British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia
British Columbia: once you're on the Health Connect Registry, local coordinators match patients with doctors. They take into account how long you've been on the list, how many doctors in your area can take new patients, and your age and health needs.
Alberta: Alberta Find a Provider is run by Alberta Health Services in partnership with primary care networks. You can search yourself for a doctor, nurse practitioner or clinic that is accepting new patients, or leave your details so they can contact you.
Manitoba: Family Doctor Finder gives you a request number when you register. Staff in your region then contact you to find a "home clinic" that becomes your regular source of care.
Nova Scotia: registering with the Need a Family Practice Registry doesn't just put you on the waitlist; it also opens the door to free virtual care, as described in the next section.
Free virtual care: where it actually exists
Not every province has a free government virtual service with a doctor. This is what we confirmed from official sources:
- Nova Scotia, VirtualCareNS: online appointments with a family doctor or nurse practitioner until your turn comes at a local practice. You must be on the Need a Family Practice Registry and have a Nova Scotia health card.
- Quebec, the online GAP: a platform that points you to the right service; it doesn't replace a family doctor.
- Ontario, Health811: a free registered nurse around the clock, by phone at 811 or by live chat online. This is nursing advice, not a doctor who can prescribe.
- British Columbia and Alberta, 811: in British Columbia, 811 lets you speak with nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and exercise professionals. In Alberta, Health Link 811 is a free 24/7 health advice line.
There are also private telemedicine apps, and many of them charge a fee. Ask before you book: is the service covered by your health card, or will you pay out of pocket?
Walk-in clinics and the emergency department: where to go when
Walk-in clinics are suitable for non-urgent problems until you have a family doctor, and a visit is usually covered by your provincial health card. Always bring your card, and check opening hours in advance, because many clinics fill up early. Find clinics near you in the clinics directory, and Arabic-speaking doctors in the doctors directory.
Chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke and serious injuries belong in the emergency department: call 911. If you're not sure how serious your situation is, call 811 in your province before you decide.
Your pharmacist can prescribe: what's allowed in each province
| Province | What the pharmacist provides | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Assessing and prescribing for common conditions, including pink eye, seasonal allergies, urinary tract infections, mouth ulcers, skin rashes and tick bites | No extra cost; just bring your OHIP card |
| British Columbia | An appointment with a pharmacist for many common ailments, plus contraception | Free for eligible residents |
| Alberta | Renewing and adapting prescriptions, emergency prescriptions, medication reviews and an annual care plan | No cost for people with Alberta health coverage |
| Quebec | Extending and adjusting prescriptions, and prescribing for minor conditions | Free since 25 January 2021 for everyone, whether they have public or private drug insurance |
A pharmacist doesn't diagnose chronic diseases or replace regular follow-up, and may refer you to a doctor if your situation needs it. Find a pharmacy near you in the pharmacies directory. If what you need is mental health support, see the mental health services directory.
What the waitlists don't guarantee
- They don't guarantee an appointment by a set date. Quebec says so explicitly, and Ontario makes clear that registering doesn't mean you'll get a doctor right away.
- They aren't a route to a specialist. Referrals to specialists usually go through a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
- They don't replace keeping your details up to date. If you move within the province or change your phone number, update your registration so you don't miss the call.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you're in your first weeks in Canada, plan your steps with our guide to your first weeks in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to register on a family doctor waitlist?
Yes. The official lists in all the provinces covered here are free. Don't pay anyone who promises you a doctor for a fee.
How long is the wait?
There is no fixed official timeline. The wait depends on your area, how many doctors are available and your health, and in British Columbia and Quebec people with greater care needs get priority.
Can I register before my health card arrives?
It depends on the province. Ontario and Quebec require the card number. Nova Scotia lets you register by phone through 811 before it arrives, but some services aren't available until you have it.
Do I register my children in the same request?
In British Columbia you can register yourself and your family together. In Quebec, anyone aged 14 or over registers themselves, and an adult registers younger children. In other provinces, ask when you register.
Can a pharmacist prescribe an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection?
In Ontario, urinary tract infections are one of the conditions pharmacists treat. In other provinces the list varies, so ask the pharmacist directly or call 811.
I turned down the doctor I was referred to. Do I lose my place?
In Ontario, you can register again by calling 811 if the doctor wasn't a good fit after the first appointment, but you go back to waiting. In other provinces, ask about the rule before you turn anyone down.