Why UK GP’s Move to Canada
In This Issue:
- Why UK general practitioners move to Canada
- Featured opportunity to practice family medicine in Canada
- Dates for MCCQE1 examinations in 2021 and 2022
- Canada’s role in the success of delivering mRNA
British Columbia Legislative Buildings, May 2021
May is a wonderful time of the year in Canada. General Practitioners and their families who have moved to Canada marvel at the awe-inspiring sights. Flowers and flowering trees are blooming everywhere! The colours are magnificent! And, there are many stories about these flowers.
Tulips are now celebrated with their own festival in May in our capital city of Ottawa. In 1945, following the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian forces, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, with 100,000 tulip bulbs in appreciation for Canada’s offer of safe haven to exiled Dutch royalty and in recognition of the role Canada played in The Netherland’s future.
Since that time, tulips have become synonymous with Spring across Canada.
In 2022, Canadians hope that the celebration of Victoria Day will return.
Happy Birthday, Queen Victoria! Canada is one of the few countries that still celebrates the Queen’s birthday. Many think the celebration is in honour of Queen Elizabeth.
Victoria, the British queen was born on May 24, 1819. She was a reigning monarch (Queen) for 63 years.
Victoria Day was declared a Canadian holiday by the government in 1845.
At that time, it was celebrated with marching bands, picnics, parades, sporting tournaments, fireworks and cannon salutes.
In more recent years, the day has been celebrated as the official birthday of Canada’s sovereign although in some Canadian provinces it is celebrated by a different name. It is informally considered to be the beginning of the summer season in Canada.
Authentic Facebook Posting by Physician
A New Chapter in the Life of UK GP’s
As a physician recruiter, I heard many of the same complaints from the UK general practitioners who I speak with. So, I undertook to summarize their thoughts.
My question was: What prompted you to consider a move to Canada?
The keywords in their answers were: Anxiety, disillusion, sadness, lack of opportunity, 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.
What these 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.
In my role as a physician recruiter, I am pleased to help create an opportunity for a better Work-Life balance for the physicians I am recruiting to practice in Canada. If anyone is thinking about moving to Canada, I encourage you to contact a former colleague or friend who has made the move. I am not aware of any UK doctors who have returned to Canada.
– John Livingstone
Life in Ontario
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%.
CanadaMedicalCareers.ca has several outstanding openings for GP’s across Canada. Email [email protected] for more details.
Featured Opportunity near Toronto
One of our clients is a clinic in beautiful Waterloo, Ontario – about a one-hour drive from Toronto.
- They have an opportunity for a general practitioner to practice in a busy clinic that has a mix of walk-in patients and appointment patients.
- You do not need to write the MCCQE1 exam before being awarded a provisional licence in the province of Ontario. So, you can start a new life in Canada soon.
- Gross earnings are at least £235,000.
- The cost of living is far less than Toronto – at least 35-50% less for housing!
- The world-renowned University of Waterloo is known for its computer science program.
- Preference given to those speaking Urdu, Hindi, Pakistani, Arabic
To learn more about this great opportunity email [email protected]
Featured Opportunity in British Columbia
This very rare opportunity to practice in a beautiful seaside family practice clinic has just become available due to a retirement. The clinic is literally 100 steps to the ocean with nearby marinas.
- The clinic serves an area of 45,000 residents with a median age of 60.4. Household incomes are high and housing is affordable by local standards. Your family can enjoy a beautiful indoor community pool, hockey ice rinks, golf courses and more than 50 area beaches along with forests for hiking.
- Many physicians in the area ride their bikes to work along the seaside trail, kayak on their lunch breaks, and shop at the many nearby organic farms.
- You will make a substantial income and work eight hours a day. No home visits.
To learn more about this opportunity and see a special video contact John Livingstone: [email protected]
Canada’s Role in Developing mRNA
UBC Biochemist and Molecular Biology Professor
Canada has outstanding Life Sciences programs and Dr. Pieter Cullis is a scientist who, along with his team at the University of British Columbia (UBC), developed the method for delivering mRNA vaccine in the fight against Covid-19. Read more about Dr. Cullis and his team at the Life Sciences Institute.
MCCQE1 Dates for 2021 and 2022
2021
April 27 – June 16;
July 13- 28;
Sept 1 – 22
October 19 – November 9
2022
January 26 – February 23
April 13 – May 18
July 6 -27
August 31 – September 21
October 19 – November 9
Trouble Completing Your PhysiciansApply.ca Account?
As recruiters, we discovered that many physicians have difficulty supplying their information this online service. A simple error, like not scanning all four corners of a document can cause rejection. Which documents do you have notarized? How do you submit your documents?
We have created an explanatory video that is yours FREE, just by asking. Contact [email protected] to receive your link!
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.
MRCGP and Family Practice Exams in Canada
The College of Family Physicians of Canada is the recognized licensing authority for family physicians in Canada. Those physicians coming from the UK, Ireland, Australia, or the USA will usually not have to write the examination required to practice as a General Practitioner in Canada. Verification of your MRCGP, MICGP, FRACGP, FACRRM, or DABFM will be required. For more information on this certification visit CFPC.ca and check out the Education and Professional Development section. Members in good standing will use the CCFP certification.
We like questions!
It’s likely that you will have questions along your journey to practicing in Canada. Don’t hesitate to contact John Livingstone at: [email protected]
Or call WhatsApp +1 250-885-8802 (9 AM – 6 PM Pacific Time)