Illness Doesn't Follow Business Hours
You start feeling sick at 7 PM. By 9 PM, you know you can't work tomorrow. But every clinic closed hours ago. What do you do?
This is one of the most common healthcare access problems in Canada:
| Time | Clinic Availability | Your Options |
|------|--------------------|--------------|
| 6 PM - 9 PM | 95% closed | ER (inappropriate), online |
| 9 PM - 6 AM | 99% closed | ER only, online |
| Saturday | 30% open, limited hours | Limited clinics, online |
| Sunday | 5% open | Almost none, online |
The After-Hours Gap
Canadian walk-in clinics typically operate:
- Weekdays: 8 AM - 5 PM (some until 7 PM)
- Saturdays: 9 AM - 2 PM (if open at all)
- Sundays: Closed (95%+)
- Evenings/Nights: Closed
But illness peaks don't align with these hours. In fact, many people:
- Don't realize they're too sick to work until evening
- Get sick overnight and need documentation by morning
- Work evening/night shifts and get sick during "off hours"
- Can't leave work during the day to visit a clinic
The Traditional After-Hours Options
Emergency Room
- Wait time: 4-12+ hours for non-urgent
- Appropriate? No — ERs are for emergencies
- Will they write a sick note? Often refuse for minor illness
- Cost: Free (covered by provincial health insurance) but wastes ER resources
Telehealth Lines (811)
- Wait time: 30 minutes - 2 hours
- Can they issue sick notes? No — advisory only
- Useful for: Medical advice, not documentation
After-Hours Clinics (rare)
- Availability: Only in largest cities, very few locations
- Wait time: 2-4 hours
- Hours: Usually only until 9-10 PM
MedLetter: True 24/7 Availability
Our online platform accepts submissions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here's what that means practically:
Evening Submissions (6 PM - 11 PM)
Submit your request after dinner. Physician review happens same evening or first thing next morning. Note delivered well before your employer needs it.
Late Night Submissions (11 PM - 6 AM)
Submit overnight. Physician review begins early morning. Note delivered by the time your workplace opens.
Weekend Submissions
Submit anytime Saturday or Sunday. Same-day delivery for most requests.
Who Needs After-Hours Sick Notes?
Shift Workers
- Healthcare workers — Nurses, PSWs, paramedics working 12-hour shifts
- Oil & gas workers — Rotation schedules that include nights and weekends
- Hospitality — Restaurant, hotel, and bar staff working evenings
- Retail — Evening and weekend shift workers
- Manufacturing — Night shift factory and warehouse workers
- Transportation — Truck drivers, transit operators
People Who Get Sick at Night
- Food poisoning from dinner
- Migraine that develops in the evening
- Flu symptoms that worsen overnight
- Anxiety/panic attacks that peak at night
- Injuries from evening activities
People Who Can't Leave Work During the Day
- Single parents who work during clinic hours
- Workers without paid time off for medical appointments
- Remote workers in different time zones
- People whose only "free time" is after hours
How After-Hours Submissions Work
| Step | What You Do | When |
|------|-------------|------|
| 1 | Complete online questionnaire | Anytime (even 2 AM) |
| 2 | Physician reviews your case | Next available review window |
| 3 | Note delivered to your email | Within 6 hours of review |
| 4 | Forward to employer | Before your shift |
Pricing — No After-Hours Surcharge
Unlike some telehealth services that charge premiums for evening/weekend access:
- Sick Note: $49 CAD — same price at 2 AM as 2 PM
- Return to Work: $49 CAD
- Stress Leave: $79 CAD
- No surcharges, no hidden fees
Your Illness Doesn't Wait for Business Hours
Neither should your documentation. MedLetter is available when you need it — not just when clinics decide to be open.
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This service is for documentation purposes only and does not constitute medical treatment. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.
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Related: [Sick Note on Saturday](/blog/sick-note-on-saturday-canada) | [Sunday Sick Note](/blog/sunday-sick-note-canada) | [How to Get Sick Note on Weekend](/blog/how-to-get-sick-note-on-weekend-canada) | [All Services](/services)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sick note online in Canada?
Yes. Licensed Canadian physicians can assess patients through virtual consultations and issue legally valid sick notes accepted by employers across all provinces.
How much does an online sick note cost?
MedLetter charges a flat $49 for a sick note with same-day delivery. No hidden fees, no clinic wait times.
Will my employer accept an online sick note?
Yes. All Canadian provincial medical colleges recognize virtual care. Online sick notes are legally equivalent to in-person notes.
How long does it take to get a sick note from MedLetter?
Most sick notes are delivered within 2-6 hours of submission. Same-day delivery is standard.