Free help with healthcare in Canada

Healthcare in Canada is run by each province and territory, so this page starts with the federal pages that point you to yours, then lists official federal help with costs, records, support lines and medicines. Every service here is run or funded by government and is free to use; none of it is medical advice.

Official and freeLast reviewed October 2026

Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Australia

Need help now?

In an emergency, call the national emergency number. In Canada, call 9-1-1 if you’re in immediate danger or need urgent medical help, as this Government of Canada page says. www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

Coverage and public health insurance

Health cards (Government of Canada)Explains health insurance cards and links to the health ministry and health plan of every province and territory, where you apply for a card or report a change.www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-cards.html
About Canada’s health care system (Health Canada)Explains how universal health care works and how eligible residents get publicly funded care through their province or territory.www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-health-care-system.html

Help with care that isn’t covered

Canadian Dental Care PlanA federal plan that helps make dental care more affordable for eligible residents. The page explains who can apply and how.www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html
Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations and InuitExplains the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program, how to access it and how to contact it.www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1572537161086/1572537234517
Interim Federal Health Program (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)Limited, temporary health coverage for some refugees and claimants until they qualify for provincial or territorial insurance.www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/interim-federal-health-program.html

Charges and complaints

How publicly funded health care coverage works (Health Canada)Explains what public plans cover and what they don’t, and says to contact your provincial or territorial ministry of health if you think you were charged for a medically necessary service.www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system/canada-health-care-system-medicare/canada-health-act/how-publicly-funded-coverage-works.html
About the Canada Health Act (Health Canada)The federal law under which eligible residents must have reasonable access to insured health services without patient charges.www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system/canada-health-care-system-medicare/canada-health-act.html

Your health records and privacy

Health information (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada)Explains who to contact about protecting your personal health information.www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/health-information-genetics-biometrics
Provincial and territorial privacy laws and oversight (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada)Lists the privacy commissioner or ombudsperson in each province and territory, which is often who to go to about health records.www.priv.gc.ca/en/about-the-opc/what-we-do/provincial-and-territorial-collaboration/provincial-and-territorial-privacy-laws-and-oversight

Getting help online and by phone

Mental health support: Get help (Government of Canada)Lists free support lines in each province and territory, including some 8-1-1 health lines, such as Alberta’s Health Link, where nurses give advice.www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis HelplineCanada’s national crisis line. Call or text 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.988.ca

Medicines and their costs

Drug Product Database (Health Canada)Search for drugs authorized for sale in Canada and check whether a drug is available here.www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html
Buying drugs online (Health Canada)Explains the risks of buying medicines online and how to tell a legitimate online pharmacy from an illegal seller.www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/buying-drugs-over-internet.html
Report a side effect (Health Canada)Anyone can report a side effect from a drug, health product or medical device to help make products safer.www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html
Recalls, advisories and safety alerts (Government of Canada)Search recalls and safety alerts, including for medicines and health products.recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en

Checked

Every link, opened.

Each page linked here was opened and checked on 19 October 2026. Services change: if a link no longer says what we describe, the official page is right. Tell us at hello@moraph.org.

Last reviewed October 2026

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