Advice for New Fellows
Moving to a new city, indeed a new country, can be difficult. The information and advice provided here will hopefully aid the transition process.
Accommodation
Most fellows find accommodation in the downtown area. This is usually a condominium apartment. Those with children may want to stay in a house or accommodation with outside space. This does not necessarily mean living much further away as such accommodation is also available within 30 minutes travelling from the hospitals.
Rental accommodation can be found through the Toronto Star Classifieds. It is a good place to start looking, even before leaving for Toronto. Landlords or rental agencies will require two month's rent to cover the first and last month of the term at the time of signing the contract. They will then take post-dated cheques for each intervening month. You will need to have sufficient funds in Canadian dollars to cover two months rental. Some landlords or rental agencies will also require a deposit payment at the start.
Unfurnished accommodation is much more readily available than furnished accommodation. Furnished accommodation is available but the choice is limited and the rental costs are marginally more expensive. By contacting existing fellows, it is often possible to arrange to take over their rental accommodation. Rental agencies often have offices within condominium blocks so it can be worth going into individual blocks and asking for them. If you find unfurnished accommodation, check the notice boards within condominium/apartment blocks as vacating tenants are always trying to sell off furniture.
Most fellows manage to find accommodation close to work within the downtown area. You preferably want to stay (see map) west of Yonge, east of Bathurst and close to a subway. South of Dundas becomes more commercial with fewer apartment and condominium blocks. The exception to this is the waterfront on the lake, south of Lake Shore Boulevard. Apartments here can have a lovely view of the lake but you may feel a little isolated in the winter.
Travel
The downtown area of the city is compact and can be easily travelled on foot. The subway system is simple. The main subway line within the downtown area runs in a north-south direction along two limbs of a 'U' along University Avenue and Yonge Street.
Streetcars (trams) run in an east-west direction along most major roads. A single ticket currently costing $2.25 allows you to travel to any destination of the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission). Their site has a good map of the TTC system. Select the Full System map. The full system map on this site is a useful place to get an overview of the downtown geography and TTC network. A group of five or ten tokens is available from subway stations at a discount. Monthly metro passes are also available.
Mount Sinai, Princess Margaret, Toronto General and Toronto Sick Children's Hospitals are all located next to each other on University Avenue between College Street and Dundas Street. Toronto Western Hospital in on the northeast corner of Bathurst and Dundas Streets. The Sunnybrook Hospital campus is at 2075 Bayview Avenue at the Lawrence and Bayview intersection.
A shuttle bus service is available between Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital during office hours although the walk is less than 15 minutes.
If you prefer cycling, most places have cycle racks. Cyclists need to be careful of the streetcar tracks on the road as wheels can get stuck.
Cars can be rented relatively cheaply and most fellows choose to rent rather than buy. Parking in the downtown area usually requires renting a parking space in condominium car parks, currently costing around $150 per month. Insurance is expensive and can run into several thousand dollars so check insurance costs before buying. There are many rental car companies within the downtown area. Rental costs are comparable. The basic car rental cost usually includes third party insurance cover but does not include loss or collision damage insurance, which can start from around $20 a day. Check the facilities on your credit card as they often include this cover when the rental is charged to the card.
Money
All fellows are sent information regarding banking services in Toronto. There is a doctor's program administered by the TD Canada Trust Bank. Note that information about this is not available on their website. They have an established process for handling applications for bank accounts and credit cards for foreign medical graduates taking up positions with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Obtaining credit in Canada as a foreign worker can otherwise be difficult. The doctor's program is dealt with at the Bloor/Bay branch at 77 Bloor Street West and the person to contact would be Lead Customer Service Officer.
The fees for registration with CPSO, CMPA and UofT need to be paid by the fellow. Retain the receipts, as these fees will be reimbursed. Contact your fellowship advisor for advice on this. Your employer will reimburse the full CPSO and UofT registration fees and 15% of the CMPA membership fee. The Ministry of Health through their Malpractice Reimbursement Program will reimburse the remaining 85% of the CMPA membership. Contact them directly for an application form for the reimbursement.
Work permit
To apply for a work permit download the application form from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. Guidelines are available online which recommend contacting your local Canadian embassy/high commission to determine what method of fee payment they will accept, what additional documentation will be required and how the application material should be submitted. Currently the application fee is CAD $150.
You are likely to need to go through a medical exam as part of the application process. You will be informed of the process a few weeks after submitting the work permit application. Once the whole process is complete and the permit approved, this will be confirmed in writing. This letter confirming approval must be presented to the Canada Immigration Officer at your port of entry. The officer will issue you with your Work Permit.
All your dependents listed on your original application will be permitted entry to Canada for the duration of your work permit. Those wishing to work will need to obtain a work permit themselves. Children who will be attending school in Canada must have a study permit. These can be obtained before leaving or after arriving in Canada. Ensure that all school aged children travel with copies of their immunisation records. These are required for children enrolling in school in Ontario.
CPSO/PEAP
Before you commence your Clinical Fellowship, you must complete a Pre-entry Assessment Program (PEAP) at the University of Toronto. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) will issue a certificate of registration authorising enrolment in PEAP. After three months, and successful completion of PEAP, the College will issue a Clinical Fellowship certificate to cover the remainder of your term.
The College will send out an information pack with all the application material for the certificate of registration. The application material lists all the requirements and documentation required for a successful application. You must have received the letter approving your work permit before applying, as a copy of this is required. Your medical school will also have to certify your graduation and send an original medical school transcript directly to the CPSO. Forms for both of these processes are included in the application pack.
The application fee is currently CAD $115 and the membership fee is CAD $140. Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, money order or certified cheque.
After arriving in Toronto, you will need to present your original medical degree and passport at the College to complete the application process. You need to arrange an appointment with the Registration Department on (416) 967 2617 ext 221.
CMPA
You will need to become a member of the Canadian Medical Protection Association (CMPA). The application form is available online. Membership of the CMPA is expensive and the fees are published on their website. The payment can either be made by cheque in Canadian funds for the full annual amount or by monthly direct debit. There is no administration fee or interest charged for setting up a direct debit mandate and the method chosen makes no difference when it comes to claiming the reimbursement (explained further under the money section).
To set up a direct debit mandate, you will need to send a VOID cheque from the account to be debited. As this is usually the Canadian bank account into which your salary is deposited, you will need to open the account first. The CMPA website recommends completing the application form at least 3 to 4 weeks before starting work, but this is not possible for international fellows without a Canadian bank account. The registration process can be completed in a few days so this can all be done after arriving in Canada.
University of Toronto
You will receive confirmation from the University of Toronto (U of T), Faculty of Medicine, of your acceptance onto the training program. You will need to sign and return the letter of acceptance within 30 days of issue to the PGME Office. You will also need to complete and return an immunisation record with this letter. This needs to be completed by a clinic or health centre so allow time for this within the 30 day limit.
You will need CMPA and CPSO registration numbers before you can complete the registration with the PGME. This can be done online using the PIN number and password, which will be sent to you along with the letter of acceptance. The registration fee, currently CAD $300 for the year, can be paid online with Visa or Mastercard. Payment by cheque or cash must be completed in person at the PGME office.
When your online registration is complete, you should print off a copy of your Confirmation of Registration. This is an important document, which you should keep with you. It is the document required by your training facilities as proof of registration with the University of Toronto. It will also be required to obtain a University library card.
Health Cover - UHIP/OHIP
Individuals must arrange their own health cover under OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan). This must be done in person as they will take your photograph. The application form, details of their local offices and advice on supporting documentation are all provided on their website. You will need to show your work permit, confirmation of registration with the University of Toronto and proof of address (for example a tenancy agreement).
You should apply as soon as you have these documents. You will not be eligible for OHIP for the first three months but should still apply for it as soon as you have the necessary supporting documentation. As a condition of employment, you must purchase private health insurance for the three month waiting period. UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) is available and can be purchased from the University of Toronto Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) office to cover for the first three months.
Family and dependants accompanying you to Canada are not eligible for OHIP and will need private health cover for the duration of their stay. They will be able to purchase UHIP to provide for their private health cover. It is advised that before you leave home, you purchase health insurance to cover for your trip to Canada as well as your first few days there.
University of Toronto Library
Join by going in person to the Robarts Research Library and present your University of Toronto registration document. You will be issued with a library photo ID card (Tcard). The library services include access to an extensive collection of online journals, references and books.
Social Insurance Number
You will need to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This requires applying in person at a Social Services office. The local Human Resources Development Canada office is at Yonge and St Clair. The application form is available online and you will need to take your work permit and confirmation of registration with the University of Toronto.
Useful Contacts
John Kerr
Administrative Assistant, International Medical Graduates
Postgraduate Medical Education Office
500 University Avenue
2nd Floor
Toronto
Ontario
M5G 1V7
john.kerr@utoronto.ca