Canada has a high quality health care system that is government funded.
In Peel Region, everyone has access to a wide variety of health resources and services. Your medical coverage through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) will begin after 90 days of your arrival in Ontario.
If you need medical care while you wait for OHIP coverage, it is better to buy a private health insurance before coming to Canada or within 5 days of arriving in Ontario. You may not be approved for coverage if you apply for private insurance 5 days or more after your arrival.
Live in Mississauga? The Newcomer Guide to Health and Social Services for the City of Mississauga provides information on local services, including resources for mental health and addictions, women’s health and wellness, early childhood, older adults’ and seniors’ health, 2SLGBTQ+ health, and more (employment, housing, income support, etc.). The Guide is available in multiple languages: English | French | Arabic | Urdu | Mandarin.
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911 Emergency |
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When you have an emergency, you can call 9-1-1 for free from any telephone. Examples of 9-1-1 emergencies are:
9-1-1 will connect you to an ambulance, police or fire services to help you. Translation servicesIf you do not speak English, translation services in over 140 languages are available. Ask for service in your language if you cannot explain the situation in English, or if you cannot understand the call-taker. Ambulance feeIf you have to take an ambulance to a hospital, you must pay a small fee. |
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Community health centres |
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Community Health Centres (CHCs) are non-profit organizations that provide health care to newcomers, refugees or anyone who might otherwise have difficulty getting the help they need. You may be eligible for services at a CHC even if you do not have a health card (OHIP). Services are free or provided at a very low cost by doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners. All services are confidential and some tests such as pregnancy and HIV/AIDS test may be anonymous. In addition to medical care CHCs may have:
CHC locations in Peel RegionMississaugaEast Mississauga Community Health Centre
BramptonBramalea Community Health Centre
Victorian Order of Nurses Peel also provides high-quality home care, personal support and community services to those living in Peel. |
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Dentists |
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The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover most dental services. It covers some dental surgery, including fractures or jaw reconstruction in a hospital. The government of Canada has implemented the interim Canada Dental Benefit, which is designed to provide some financial assistance to Canadian families seeking dental care. With this benefit, families can begin addressing some of their young children's basic dental care needs while the government works to develop a long-term Canadian dental care program. A factsheet about the Canada Dental Benefit is available in multiple languages. Dental plansMany employers offer dental plans as part of an employee benefits package. Dental plans help employees pay for dental procedures such as cleaning teeth and gums, x-rays, filling cavities and removing wisdom teeth. If you do not have an employee plan, you can buy an individual plan from a private insurance company. Dental services for families without insuranceDental services are available through the Region of Peel by appointment only to children 0 to 17 years of age whose families cannot afford dental insurance. Your child may qualify if he or she meets the following requirements:
To find out if your child qualifies for Region of Peel dental services or to book an appointment, contact Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. Screening appointmentOnce your child qualifies for free dental services, he or she goes to a "screening appointment." A Region of Peel dental hygienist will check your child's mouth to determine if he/she qualifies for dental services such as urgent dental treatment or preventive dental care. Other dental resources
Seniors' dental programThe Peel Region Seniors' Dental Program helps seniors who don't have dental insurance and can't afford to pay for dental care. The program provides basic dental services. To find out if you are eligible, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. |
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Family doctor |
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Finding a family doctor is important to make sure that you and your family get proper medical attention. Call 1-800-445-1822 or visit Health Care Connect to help you find a family doctor in and around the area you live, however, you also need to keep looking for a health care provider on your own as well. You can call your local hospital or ask your friends or relatives if their doctor is accepting new patients. When you look for a family doctor, think about the following:
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Hospitals |
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Peel Region is home to several excellent hospitals that provide comprehensive health care and emergency services for everyone in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon. MississaugaTrillium Health Partners has 2 hospitals in Mississauga.
BramptonWilliam Osler Health system as 1 hospital in Brampton.
Caledon
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Immunization |
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Your child must have an up-to-date immunization record to attend school in Ontario. Immunizations needed to attend school are free. If your child has been immunized outside of Ontario or Canada, he or she might need additional immunizations. Peel Public Health will translate immunization records from outside Canada for free and offer free immunization clinics for school-aged children, even without an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card. Call Peel Public Health 905-799-7700 for an appointment. Local immunization resources |
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Mental health |
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Often as a newcomer you face many challenges while settling down in a new country. You may be far away from family and friends, face financial difficulties, have to learn a new language, find a job and adapt to a brand new culture. Through all of this, it is important you take good care of you and your family's' mental health. Depression, anxiety, marital and relationship issues and other mental health problems can be common amongst newcomers to Canada. These mental health issues can affect anyone of any ethnicity, religion, occupation or level of education. CounsellingCounselling can help families and individuals who are struggling with problems such as:
Counselling servicesCounselling services are available in Peel at many locations including hospitals, places of worship and community health centres. Counseling in your own language and/or cultural setting may also be available. Many public agencies offer counseling services for free or depending on your income. Mental health resourcesIf you or a family member suffers from mental illness or just need someone to talk to, there are resources available to help you cope.
Getting immediate helpIf you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, go to the nearest hospital or call 9-1-1. Learn more about mental healthTo learn more about understanding mental health illness and finding help, visit: |
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Midwifery services |
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Midwives are health-care professionals who provide free, expert primary care to pregnant people and their newborns. Their services are covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and Ontario residents not covered by OHIP can also receive midwifery care free of charge. Finding a midwifeYou don't need a referral from a doctor to have a midwife. You can find a midwife by:
For more information
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Prevention early identification program or PEP-Start clinics |
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The PEP-Start Clinic is a free, drop-in clinic for Peel Region families with children who are newborn to 5 years old. You can contact PEP-Start Clinics at 905-568-8897 to get information on clinic locations and services. You can ask professionals from community agencies about:
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Special needs services |
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The Peel Inclusion Resource Services (PIRS) is a program that provides access to services that support the inclusion of young children with special needs in licensed child care. Parents and professionals seeking support or services for children aged birth to 6 years can call Child Care SNAP-Peel at 905-791-7800 ext. 7627. Coordinated Information Peel is a free service for people with developmental disabilities. It provides information on services funded by the provincial government under the Child and Family Services Act and the Developmental Services Act. This includes how to get services, where you can find agencies and costs. You can get the information in a variety of languages. To speak to an Information and Referral Specialist at Coordinated Info Peel call:
Assistance for travelers with disabilitiesTransHelp is a transit service for people living in Peel who regularly use a wheelchair due to functional mobility problems, or are physically unable to board public transit vehicles. |
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Walk-in clinics |
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Walk-in clinics provide health care if you are sick and do not have a family doctor or are unable to reach your family doctor. Generally, appointments are not needed. It is best to call before visiting in person to check the clinics hours and availability as they are subject to change. Some clinics are open on weekends and holidays. Finding a walk-in clinicSearch for a walk-in clinic near you or look in the yellow pages of your telephone book under "clinics - medical" or "walk-in clinics.” |
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