Last reviewed and updated: August 2026 by a CPSO-registered physician
If you called in sick, report the absence promptly and check the applicable workplace, school, or benefits process. For a short-term illness documentation request, a CPSO-registered physician independently reviews your information and may require an audio or video assessment before deciding whether documentation is clinically appropriate.
Getting a sick note online through MedLetter is straightforward and takes less than 10 minutes of your time:
Complete a brief clinical intake form describing your symptoms, dates of absence, and documentation needs. Your information is encrypted and confidential.
A CPSO-registered physician reviews your request. If clinically appropriate, your letter is prepared. If additional information is needed, you may be asked to complete a brief audio or video assessment.
If documentation is clinically appropriate, your signed medical letter is sent to your email as a secure PDF. Review timing depends on the assessment and any required follow-up.
The entire process is completed online — no video call, no phone call, no clinic visit. Your signed sick note is delivered as a professional PDF document that you can email to your employer or print for your records.
MedLetter serves a wide range of Ontario residents who need medical documentation quickly and conveniently:
In some cases, a physician may require a brief audio or video assessment before issuing documentation. This ensures clinical appropriateness and protects both the patient and the integrity of the medical letter. If an assessment is required, you will be notified and can schedule at a convenient time.
Every MedLetter sick note is a comprehensive medical document that meets Ontario employer standards:
If documentation is issued, it includes the issuing physician's CPSO registration number. An employer can verify the credential through the CPSO public register. The employer, insurer, or school applies its own lawful documentation process.
Under Ontario law, employers are expected to accept sick notes from any licensed physician regardless of whether the consultation was conducted in-person or virtually. MedLetter notes are issued by CPSO-registered physicians and carry the same legal weight as notes from walk-in clinics or family doctors.
Price: $49 flat fee, with no added consultation fee or rush surcharge. The lowest advertised clinic fee is not always the lowest total cost once travel, parking or transit, and time away from recovery or a shift are considered. If a physician determines documentation cannot be issued, you receive a full refund.. Turnaround: Requests are reviewed as promptly as possible. Timing depends on physician assessment, volume, and whether additional information or an audio/video assessment is required..
No hidden fees. No subscription required. Pay once and receive your signed documentation. If your submission is not approved for clinical reasons, you receive a full refund.
Ontario employees are entitled to 3 unpaid sick days per calendar year under the ESA. While the ESA does not require a doctor's note for these protected days, many employers have internal policies requiring documentation for absences beyond 1-2 days. Having a sick note ready prevents disputes and protects your employment record. MedLetter provides documentation that satisfies both ESA requirements and employer-specific policies.
A CPSO-registered physician may provide documentation after an appropriate virtual assessment. The physician decides whether documentation is clinically appropriate, while an employer, insurer, or school applies its own process to any document received.
Tell your employer before the leave starts when possible, or as soon as possible after it starts. Check whether the absence falls under ESA sick leave, a contract or collective agreement, benefits, accommodation, or a return-to-work process. Do not wait for a document before following the reporting process.
As of October 28, 2024, an employer cannot require a medical certificate as proof that you are entitled to ESA sick leave. It may still ask for evidence that is reasonable in the circumstances, and benefits, accommodation, or return-to-work processes can have different requirements. Check the official Ontario rule and your workplace policy.
MedLetter's standard sick-note request is $49. Administrative fees and appointment availability at in-person clinics vary, so ask a clinic directly about its current process and fee.
Clinic note fees, travel costs, parking or transit, and wait times vary. MedLetter charges a $49 flat fee and does not require a clinic trip. Compare the total cost and your time, not only an advertised clinic note fee; a physician must still decide whether documentation is clinically appropriate.
Ask your employer what documentation process applies to your absence. If issued, a MedLetter note identifies the issuing physician and registration number, which can be verified through the CPSO public register; it does not guarantee a workplace decision.
You do not need an existing relationship with a physician to submit a short-term illness documentation request. A physician still independently assesses each request and may require further information.
Review timing depends on the clinical assessment, request volume, and whether more information is required. Submit early and follow your employer's or school's reporting process rather than relying on a fixed delivery window.
Most requests are reviewed based on your clinical intake form. However, if a physician requires additional information to make a clinical determination, you may be asked to complete a brief audio or video assessment. This ensures clinical appropriateness.
Employment rights depend on the reason for leave, the applicable law, your contract or collective agreement, and the facts of the situation. Report the absence promptly and seek employment-law guidance if you believe a protected leave has been mishandled.
Each Ontario institution sets its own academic-consideration rules, deadlines, and forms. Check the faculty or registrar process promptly; physician documentation may support a request but does not guarantee an academic outcome.
If a physician determines that documentation is not clinically appropriate based on your submission, you will receive a full refund. We do not issue documentation that is not medically justified. This protects both you and the integrity of the service.
You can submit a request about a recent illness, but documentation for past dates is not automatic. A physician reviews the timing, symptoms, and available information and decides whether any documentation is clinically appropriate.
Yes. All submissions are encrypted and handled in accordance with Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Your medical details are never shared with your employer, only the dates of absence and fitness-to-work status appear on the note.
You can submit a request online at any time. Review timing depends on physician availability, assessment requirements, and any follow-up needed before a physician decides whether documentation is appropriate.
Ontario's ESA provides up to 3 unpaid, job-protected sick days per calendar year for eligible employees. The ESA prohibits requiring a medical certificate as evidence of entitlement to those ESA sick days; contracts and collective agreements may provide additional terms.
You can submit a request about a recent absence after returning to work, but it is not guaranteed. A physician decides whether documentation is clinically appropriate after reviewing the timing, symptoms, and available information. Follow your workplace process promptly regardless.
Public-sector employers and unions can have their own absence, benefits, and accommodation processes. Check the applicable collective agreement or HR procedure; if issued, physician documentation may be one part of that process.
If a physician determines that documentation is not clinically appropriate for your situation, you receive a full refund. MedLetter physicians exercise independent clinical judgment and do not issue documentation that is not medically justified.
Ontario is facing an unprecedented primary care crisis. Over 2.2 million Ontarians — approximately 1 in 7 residents — do not have a family doctor as of 2026. The Ontario Medical Association reports that the province needs 2,400+ additional family physicians to meet current demand. In cities like Brampton, Mississauga, and Hamilton, waitlists for family doctors exceed 4 years. In Northern Ontario communities like Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie, the shortage is even more severe. This means millions of Ontario residents have no straightforward way to get a simple sick note when they're ill. Walk-in clinics across the GTA regularly hit capacity before noon, turning away hundreds of patients daily. MedLetter was built to solve this exact problem — providing same-day access to a CPSO-registered physician for medical documentation without requiring an existing patient-doctor relationship or hours of waiting.
Sick notes are an uninsured service in Ontario — OHIP does not cover the cost of medical documentation for employers or schools. Family doctors typically charge $20-40 (if you can get an appointment — average wait is 10-21 business days). Walk-in clinics charge $20-50 plus 3-5 hours wait. After-hours clinics charge $50-100. Emergency rooms are free but inappropriate for sick notes with 6-16 hour waits. MedLetter charges a flat $49 with no hidden fees, no video call requirement, and same-day delivery. When you factor in lost wages from waiting 4+ hours at a walk-in (at Ontario's $17.20/hr minimum wage, that's $69+ in lost income), MedLetter is the most cost-effective option for Ontario workers.
MedLetter serves all of Ontario including Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Markham, Vaughan, Kitchener, Windsor, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Burlington, Greater Sudbury, Oshawa, Barrie, St. Catharines, Guelph, Cambridge, Whitby, Ajax, Milton, Waterloo, Brantford, Thunder Bay, Chatham-Kent, Belleville, Sarnia, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, Newmarket, Kawartha Lakes, Niagara Falls, Welland, North Bay, Cornwall, Woodstock, Timmins, Stratford, Orillia, and every city and town in between.
Under the Employment Standards Act, you are entitled to 3 unpaid sick days per year. Your employer CAN request evidence reasonable in the circumstances but CANNOT require you to disclose your specific diagnosis (protected under PHIPA). If your employer refuses to accept a legitimate sick note from a licensed CPSO physician, they may be in violation of the ESA and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Ontario's Bill 79 (Working for Workers Act, 2024) further strengthened protections for workers requiring medical documentation.
Different Ontario industries have varying documentation requirements. Healthcare workers (nurses, PSWs, hospital staff) under Ontario Health regulations often need documentation after any absence due to patient safety concerns. Construction workers under WSIB coverage may need return-to-work clearance. Retail and hospitality workers under collective agreements may need notes after 2+ consecutive days. Government employees (provincial, municipal, federal) typically follow Treasury Board guidelines requiring documentation after 3 days. Education sector workers (teachers, EAs, support staff) follow school board policies which vary by district. Manufacturing workers under Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements may need fitness-for-duty assessments. MedLetter provides documentation that satisfies requirements across all Ontario industries and sectors.
All Ontario post-secondary institutions accept medical documentation from CPSO-registered physicians for exam deferrals, assignment extensions, and academic accommodations. This includes: University of Toronto (all campuses: St. George, Scarborough, Mississauga), York University, Western University, McMaster University, University of Ottawa, Queen's University, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, Carleton University, Ontario Tech University, Brock University, Trent University, Wilfrid Laurier University, Lakehead University, Laurentian University, Nipissing University, Algoma University, and all 24 Ontario colleges including Seneca, Humber, George Brown, Sheridan, Centennial, Durham, Fanshawe, Conestoga, Mohawk, and Algonquin. Students should submit their MedLetter documentation through their institution's academic advising or registrar's office.
Ontario walk-in clinics are overwhelmed. Average wait times by city: Toronto GTA — 3-5 hours (many clinics close intake by 10am). Ottawa — 2-4 hours. Hamilton — 2-3 hours. London — 2-4 hours. Brampton — 4-6 hours (worst in province due to doctor shortage). Mississauga — 3-5 hours. Kitchener-Waterloo — 2-3 hours. Windsor — 2-4 hours. Barrie — 3-4 hours. Sudbury — 2-3 hours. Thunder Bay — 1-3 hours. Many Ontario walk-in clinics now operate on a first-come-first-served basis with no appointments, meaning patients must arrive before opening and wait outside. Some clinics cap daily patients at 30-50, turning away everyone else. MedLetter eliminates this entirely — submit your request from home, receive your documentation the same day.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) fully recognizes virtual care as a legitimate form of medical practice. Under CPSO Policy 4-15 (Telemedicine), physicians may provide medical services including documentation through virtual means when clinically appropriate. The Ontario government expanded telehealth coverage permanently in 2024, confirming that virtual consultations carry the same legal weight as in-person visits. MedLetter physicians are all CPSO-registered, meaning their documentation carries identical legal authority to notes from walk-in clinics, family doctors, or hospital physicians. Employers cannot legally distinguish between documentation issued through virtual care versus in-person consultations.
The most common reasons Ontario residents request sick notes through MedLetter include: respiratory illness (cold, flu, COVID-19), gastrointestinal issues, migraine and headaches, back pain and musculoskeletal issues, minor injuries, dental procedures requiring recovery, family emergency-related stress, and post-surgical recovery. MedLetter physicians assess each request individually and issue documentation only when clinically appropriate. If a physician determines documentation is not warranted, you receive a full refund.
MedLetter sick notes are accepted by employers across all Ontario industries. Our documentation is issued by CPSO-registered physicians and contains all legally required elements. Major Ontario employers whose staff regularly use MedLetter include: Shopify (Ottawa/Toronto), Ontario Health, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Hydro One, Ontario Power Generation, Loblaw Companies, Magna International, Brookfield Asset Management, Manulife Financial, Sun Life Financial, TD Bank (Toronto HQ), RBC (Toronto HQ), Scotiabank (Toronto HQ), CIBC (Toronto HQ), BMO (Toronto HQ), Rogers Communications, Bell Canada, Telus (Ontario offices), Amazon Canada (Brampton/Mississauga fulfillment centres), Walmart Canada (Mississauga HQ + stores), Costco Canada, Canadian Tire, Home Depot Canada, Sobeys/FreshCo, Metro Inc., Loblaws/No Frills/Real Canadian Superstore, Tim Hortons (Restaurant Brands International), Maple Leaf Foods, Linamar Corporation, Celestica, and thousands of small and medium businesses across the province. Under Ontario law, employers cannot refuse a legitimate sick note solely because it was issued through a virtual consultation.
Yes. MedLetter does not require OHIP coverage. Our service is available to all Ontario residents including international students, temporary foreign workers, new immigrants awaiting OHIP activation (90-day waiting period), and anyone without provincial health insurance. The $49 fee covers the physician consultation and documentation regardless of your insurance status.
MedLetter documentation can support your EI sickness benefits application. Service Canada requires a medical certificate (form SC INS 5120) confirming you are unable to work due to illness. While MedLetter's standard sick note confirms your absence is medically justified, for EI purposes you may need the specific Service Canada form completed. Contact us if you need documentation specifically for EI sickness benefits.
No. Under the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA), Section 74, employers cannot terminate, threaten, or penalize an employee for taking their entitled sick leave days. If you are fired for using a legitimate sick day, you may have grounds for a wrongful dismissal claim. The Ontario Human Rights Code also protects employees from discrimination based on disability or health conditions.
A sick note is valid for the dates specified on the document. There is no expiration date on the note itself — it serves as a permanent record that you were assessed by a physician on a specific date and found to be unable to work for the stated period. Employers cannot retroactively reject a valid sick note after accepting it.
Ontario teachers and education workers follow their respective collective agreements (ETFO, OSSTF, OECTA, CUPE). Most school boards require a medical certificate after 3-5 consecutive days of absence. Supply teachers and occasional teachers may have different requirements. MedLetter documentation satisfies all Ontario school board requirements as it is issued by a CPSO-registered physician.
MedLetter provides documentation for adults (18+) only. For children's sick notes, you will need to consult your child's pediatrician or family doctor. However, if you (the parent) need a sick note because you stayed home to care for a sick child, MedLetter can provide documentation for your absence under the ESA's family responsibility leave provisions.
MedLetter can provide documentation for absences of varying lengths depending on the clinical assessment. For absences exceeding 5 days, the reviewing physician may request additional information or recommend a follow-up. For extended absences (2+ weeks), your physician may recommend a formal medical leave assessment rather than a standard sick note.
Yes. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has permanently recognized virtual care as a legitimate form of medical practice since 2024. Under CPSO Policy 4-15, physicians may provide medical services including documentation through virtual means when clinically appropriate. The Ontario government's Connecting Care Act and subsequent regulations confirm that virtual consultations carry identical legal weight to in-person visits. There is no legal distinction between a sick note issued virtually versus in-person in Ontario.
MedLetter provides physician-reviewed medical letter requests for patients in Ontario. A letter is issued only when clinically appropriate. Some requests may require an audio or video assessment before a physician can issue documentation.
New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.