Life in canada
Finance, Accounting and Tax
The majority of family doctors/ GPs in Ontario are self-employed, and are responsible for all their own tax assessments and payment contributions. Due to the vast tax incentives, several doctors choose to be incorporated and have their own company they work within. They will have a separate business bank account, company credit card and pay tax through their Canadian Revenue Agency Business Account.
All things finance can feel daunting to deal with as most medics aren’t qualified accountants or tax specialists(!) and trying to understand UK tax is hard enough, only to be thrown into the Canadian system too without much guidance. OTB can provide you trusted contacts including lawyers to set up your corporation correctly, and accountants who specialise in medical/ physician corporations and accounts.
Life (Groceries, Utilities/Bills, Leisure)
Life in around South Ontario (Toronto, Vaughan, Barrie) is multicultural and diverse.
There is plenty to offer from great food markets and street food vendors, to some great Michelin starred restaurants to rival the very best from the rest of the world. A vibrant nightlife is on offer and conversely Ontario is a hub for leisure activities. From exploring the Thousand Islands National Park to visiting the iconic CN Tower, there’s always something to do. The province also offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, boating, and fishing.
In and around the GTA, your general supermarket chains such as Walmart & No Frills. LobLaws are dotted throughout as well as specialty supermarkets such as Nav’s Supermarkets (Asian Grocery Chain). Prices can vary depending on how close to downtown you are and much like everywhere else in the first world, UberEats is always on hand should you not feel like venturing out (albeit at a premium).
A great resource for living costs is numbeo to compare general living costs across Canada.
Rental and Property prices can be relatively high depending on how close to downtown you live. Expect a loose 50% reduction when comparing Barry to Toronto for example. On average the property prices start from the CAD$7-800k mark however there are significant financial incentives on offer for Doctors purchasing their first property (in terms of preferential tax and mortgage rates as well as reduced deposits with some banks even offering mortgages with as little as 10-15%)
Average utility bills (gas, electric, broadband and mobile) run around $300 to $500 per month.
Ontario is a cultural melting pot, hosting numerous events throughout the year that celebrate its rich diversity. These include Caribana, a vibrant Caribbean festival in Toronto, and Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrated by the Hindu community. The province also supports cultural tourism through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.
Should you wish to, we can put you in touch with similar GPs who are working and just enjoying life.
School
Ontario’s education system is among the best in the world, consistently ranking high in international assessments. The province offers a variety of public schools, including English public, English Catholic, French public, and French Catholic. There are of course several well established private school foundations which can easily be found via google.
Your child’s education: a parent guide to our school system.
Healthcare
Healthcare – Like most nations this side of the Atlantic, there is a basic public funded healthcare system in place in Canada. You will find detailed information