Getting a sick note in Canada shouldn't require spending half your sick day in a walk-in clinic. Several online services now offer medical documentation, but they differ significantly in price, speed, process, and availability. This guide compares every major option.
We've evaluated each service based on: price, speed of delivery, whether a video call is required, provincial availability, and user experience. Here's what we found.
Here's how the major online sick note services in Canada compare on the factors that matter most:
If you need a sick note as fast as possible without scheduling anything, MedLetter is the fastest option. Complete a 5-minute form anytime (24/7), and receive your note by email. No appointment booking, online review scheduling, no waiting for a callback.
Rush delivery (1-3 hours) is available for $35 extra. Standard delivery is same-day.
If you're in Ontario with OHIP coverage, Tia Health offers free virtual consultations that can result in a sick note. If your employer subscribes to Dialogue, you can get a note at no cost. The trade-off: longer wait times and video calls are required.
Note: 'Free' services often have longer wait times (1-5 days for Tia Health) and require video consultations. If you need documentation quickly, the $49 for MedLetter may be worth it.
If you want a full medical consultation AND a sick note, Maple is a solid choice. You'll have a video call with a physician who can also prescribe medications, order tests, or provide referrals. The downside: it's more expensive ($49-$79), requires scheduling, and the video call adds time.
If you specifically need medical documentation (sick note, return-to-work letter, accommodation letter) and don't need a general medical consultation, MedLetter is purpose-built for this. The entire process is optimized for documentation: form submission, physician review, email delivery.
This specialization means faster turnaround, a simpler process, and no risk of paying for a consultation that doesn't result in documentation.
Walk-in clinics remain an option, but the experience is poor: 2-5 hour waits, limited hours, capacity limits (many close by mid-morning), and a $20-$50 fee for the note itself. Factor in lost wages and transportation, and online services are often more cost-effective.
The one advantage of walk-in clinics: if you need a physical examination for your condition, an in-person visit is necessary. For common conditions (cold, flu, back pain, mental health), virtual assessment is clinically appropriate.
Tia Health (Ontario, OHIP-covered) and Dialogue (employer-sponsored) are free if you qualify. For direct-to-consumer services, MedLetter and Maple both start at $49. MedLetter is the best value when you specifically need documentation without a video call.
Yes. All provincial medical colleges (CPSA, CPSO, CPSBC) authorize physicians to issue medical documentation through virtual consultations. Online sick notes carry the same legal weight as in-person notes.
MedLetter with rush delivery (1-3 hours) is the fastest. Standard MedLetter delivery is same-day. Maple and Rocket Doctor can be same-day if appointments are available. Tia Health can take 1-5 days.
Not with MedLetter. Most other services (Maple, Telus Health, Rocket Doctor, Dialogue) require a video or phone consultation. MedLetter uses a form-based assessment reviewed by a physician.
No. Canadian employers cannot refuse medical documentation from a licensed physician based on the consultation method. Virtual sick notes are legally valid in all provinces.
This comparison is based on publicly available information as of August 2026. Pricing and availability may change. MedLetter provides medical documentation through licensed physicians registered with CPSA, CPSO, and CPSBC.
New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.