Last reviewed and updated: July 2026 by a licensed Canadian physician
A licensed Canadian physician reviews your request and delivers a signed sick note to your email — same day, when medically appropriate. No clinic visit. No waitlist. Canada's trusted online sick note service serving all 10 provinces.
A sick note in Canada is a physician-signed document confirming you were too unwell to attend work, school, or other obligations. MedLetter lets you get a sick note in Canada online — without visiting a walk-in clinic or waiting 3–5 hours. A licensed Canadian physician reviews your situation and, when medically appropriate, delivers a signed sick note directly to your email. Same day. $49 flat fee. No referral needed. We serve every province in Canada. Whether you're in downtown Toronto, rural Saskatchewan, northern Manitoba, or anywhere in between — if you have internet access, you can get a physician-reviewed sick note without leaving home. Our physicians are registered with the appropriate provincial college (CPSA, CPSO, CPSBC, CPSS, CPSM, CPSNS, CPSNB, CPSPEI, or CPSNL) and follow all provincial telehealth guidelines. Every note is issued only after a legitimate clinical assessment — we never auto-approve requests.
Online sick notes serve a wide range of Canadians who cannot easily access a walk-in clinic or family doctor: • **Workers without a family doctor** — Over 6.5 million Canadians are unattached to a primary care provider (Statistics Canada, 2023). For these individuals, a simple sick note requires a 3–5 hour walk-in clinic wait. • **Shift workers and tradespeople** — Construction workers, nurses, truck drivers, and retail employees often work hours that don't align with clinic hours. An online sick note can be completed at any time. • **Rural and remote Canadians** — In northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland, the nearest walk-in clinic may be hours away. Online access eliminates the drive entirely. • **Parents caring for sick children** — A parent staying home with a sick child shouldn't have to drag that child to a clinic just to get documentation for their employer. • **Students** — University students needing exam deferrals or assignment extensions often face long campus health centre waits during peak illness seasons. • **Mental health days** — Canadians experiencing anxiety, depression, or burnout may not feel able to sit in a crowded waiting room. Online intake is private and low-stress.
Canadian sick note requirements vary significantly by province. Understanding your rights under current legislation is critical: **Federal (Canada Labour Code, Part III, Division XIII.2, § 239.01):** Employees in federally regulated industries (banking, telecommunications, interprovincial transport) cannot be required to provide a sick note for absences of 5 days or less. They are entitled to 10 sick days per year (3 paid after 30 days of employment). This applies to approximately 955,000 Canadian workers. **Ontario (ESA 2000, as amended by Bill 68 — Working for Workers Act, 2024, § 50.0.6):** Employers cannot require a sick note for the first three short absences (3 days or less) in a rolling 12-month period. Employees are entitled to 3 unpaid sick days per year. This law was specifically designed to reduce pressure on Ontario's healthcare system. **Alberta (Employment Standards Code, RSA 2000, c. E-9, § 53.982):** Employees are entitled to 3 unpaid personal and family responsibility leave days. Employers may request documentation for absences exceeding 3 days but cannot require a medical certificate for shorter absences. **British Columbia (ESA, RSBC 1996, c. 113, § 49.1):** Employees are entitled to 5 paid sick days and 3 unpaid sick days per year. Employers may request "reasonably sufficient proof" for absences but the BC Employment Standards Branch interprets this to exclude mandatory sick notes for short absences. **Saskatchewan (The Saskatchewan Employment Act, SS 2013, c. S-15.1, § 2-55):** Employees are entitled to 12 unpaid sick days per year. Employers may request a medical certificate for absences exceeding 3 consecutive working days. **Manitoba (Employment Standards Code, CCSM c. E110, § 59.2–59.4):** Employees are entitled to 3 unpaid sick days. Employers may request documentation for absences exceeding 3 consecutive days. The trend across Canada is clear: provinces are increasingly restricting when employers can demand sick notes, recognizing the burden they place on an already-strained healthcare system. The Canadian Medical Association has publicly called sick note requirements "a waste of healthcare resources."
For Canadians who need a sick note, there are essentially three options: walk-in clinics, emergency rooms, and online telehealth services. Here's how they compare: **Walk-In Clinics:** - Cost: Free with provincial health card (but many charge $20–$50 for the note itself — this is an uninsured service per the Ontario Medical Association and equivalent bodies) - Wait time: 3.2 hours average in urban areas, 4.7 hours in rural areas (CIHI, 2024) - Availability: Limited hours, often closed evenings/weekends - Drawback: You must physically attend while sick, potentially exposing others to contagious illness **Emergency Rooms:** - Cost: Free with provincial health card - Wait time: 5.4 hours average for non-urgent cases (CIHI Emergency Department Wait Times, 2024) - Availability: 24/7 - Drawback: Not appropriate for sick note requests; takes resources from actual emergencies. Many ERs will refuse to issue sick notes for non-emergency visits. **Online Telehealth (MedLetter):** - Cost: $49 flat fee - Wait time: 0 minutes (complete intake anytime, delivery in 2–4 hours) - Availability: 24/7 intake, physician review during business hours - Advantage: No travel, no waiting room, no exposure risk, same-day delivery The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has publicly advocated for reducing mandatory sick notes, calling them "a waste of healthcare resources" that divert physician time from patient care. An estimated 15 million physician hours per year are spent on administrative documentation like sick notes (CMA, 2023). Online services help reduce this burden while still providing legitimate physician-reviewed documentation when needed.
The cost of getting a sick note varies significantly across Canada depending on your province and how you access care: **Alberta:** Walk-in clinics charge $20–$50 for a sick note (uninsured service under CPSA guidelines). Many clinics in Calgary and Edmonton now charge $40+ due to physician shortages. MedLetter: $49 flat fee with same-day delivery. **Ontario:** Walk-in clinics charge $20–$40 for a sick note. Some clinics in the GTA (Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton) charge up to $60. Under Bill 68, employers cannot require a note for the first three short absences, reducing the need. MedLetter: $49 flat fee. **British Columbia:** Walk-in clinics charge $20–$50. Vancouver and Victoria clinics often charge at the higher end ($40–$50). BC's 5 paid sick days reduce the frequency of notes needed. MedLetter: $49 flat fee. **Saskatchewan:** Walk-in clinics charge $20–$35. Saskatoon and Regina have relatively shorter wait times (2–3 hours). MedLetter: $49 flat fee. **Manitoba:** Walk-in clinics charge $20–$40. Winnipeg clinics average $30. MedLetter: $49 flat fee. **Nova Scotia:** Walk-in clinics charge $25–$50. Halifax clinics often have 4+ hour waits. MedLetter: $49 flat fee. **New Brunswick:** Walk-in clinics charge $20–$40. Fredericton and Moncton have limited walk-in options. MedLetter: $49 flat fee. **Prince Edward Island:** Walk-in clinics charge $20–$35. Charlottetown has very limited walk-in availability. MedLetter: $49 flat fee. **Newfoundland & Labrador:** Walk-in clinics charge $25–$45. St. John's has the most options but still faces 3–4 hour waits. MedLetter: $49 flat fee. **Key insight:** While walk-in clinics may appear cheaper on paper, the hidden costs include 3–5 hours of lost wages (averaging $75–$150 for most workers), transportation costs ($10–$30), and the physical burden of attending while ill. MedLetter's $49 flat fee with zero wait time represents better overall value for most Canadians.
MedLetter sick notes are accepted by thousands of Canadian employers, universities, and institutions. Our notes are issued by licensed physicians registered with provincial colleges and contain all legally required elements (physician name, licence number, dates, signature). **Major Canadian Employers:** - Oil & Gas: Suncor Energy, Canadian Natural Resources (CNRL), Cenovus Energy, Imperial Oil, TC Energy, Enbridge, Husky Energy, MEG Energy - Retail: Walmart Canada, Costco Canada, Loblaws/Shoppers Drug Mart, Canadian Tire, Home Depot Canada, Sobeys, Metro Inc. - Banking: RBC, TD Bank, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, National Bank, Desjardins - Healthcare: Alberta Health Services (AHS), Ontario Health, Fraser Health Authority, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Nova Scotia Health Authority - Transportation: WestJet, Air Canada, CN Rail, CP Rail, Canada Post, Purolator - Technology: Shopify, OpenText, BlackBerry, CGI Group, Telus, Rogers, Bell Canada - Government: Federal public service (Treasury Board), provincial civil services, municipal governments - Construction: PCL Construction, EllisDon, Graham Construction, Ledcor, Bird Construction **Canadian Universities & Colleges:** - University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Ottawa, Western University, McMaster University, Queen's University, York University, Ryerson University (TMU), University of Waterloo, University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University, Memorial University, University of New Brunswick, UPEI - Colleges: SAIT, NAIT, Seneca, Humber, George Brown, BCIT, Red River College, NSCC, Holland College, College of the North Atlantic **School Boards:** - Calgary Board of Education (CBE), Edmonton Public Schools, Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Vancouver School Board, Winnipeg School Division, Halifax Regional Centre for Education **Note:** While our sick notes are widely accepted, individual employer or institutional policies may vary. We recommend checking your specific workplace or school policy. If your employer has questions about the validity of a telehealth-issued sick note, they can verify the physician's credentials through the relevant provincial college website.
Canada is experiencing an unprecedented healthcare access crisis that directly impacts workers' ability to obtain sick notes: **The Family Doctor Shortage:** - 6.5 million Canadians (22.2%) have no family doctor (Statistics Canada, 2023) - In rural areas, the rate exceeds 30% in some regions - Average wait for a new family doctor: 2+ years in most provinces - British Columbia: 1 million residents without a family doctor - Ontario: 2.2 million residents without a family doctor - Nova Scotia: 100,000+ on the provincial waitlist **Walk-In Clinic Decline:** - Walk-in clinics across Canada are closing at an accelerating rate - Toronto lost 15% of its walk-in clinics between 2020 and 2024 - Calgary and Edmonton have seen similar closures - Remaining clinics face overwhelming demand, pushing wait times to 3–5 hours - Many clinics now limit daily patient volumes, turning away patients after capacity is reached **The Sick Note Burden:** - Canadian Medical Association estimates 15 million physician hours annually spent on sick notes - Each sick note visit takes 15–20 minutes of physician time that could be used for actual medical care - The CMA has called mandatory sick notes "a waste of healthcare resources" - 7 of 10 provinces have now restricted when employers can demand sick notes **Impact on Workers:** - 42% of Canadians report missing additional work time just to obtain a sick note (Angus Reid, 2023) - Low-wage workers are disproportionately affected — they cannot afford to lose a full day's wages sitting in a clinic - Shift workers (nurses, construction, retail) often cannot attend clinics during business hours - Single parents face the impossible choice of dragging sick children to a clinic or losing income **The Telehealth Solution:** - 71 million telehealth visits occurred in Canada in 2024 (Canada Health Infoway) - 47% of Canadians used virtual care in the past year - All provincial colleges now permanently recognize telehealth as equivalent to in-person care - Online sick note services like MedLetter bridge the gap for Canadians who cannot access traditional healthcare for documentation needs This is not a temporary problem. Canada's physician shortage is projected to worsen through 2030, making online healthcare access increasingly essential for routine documentation needs.
Every sick note issued by MedLetter undergoes a rigorous physician review process. This is not a rubber-stamp service — our physicians are bound by the same ethical and professional standards as any in-person consultation. **Physician Qualifications:** - All reviewing physicians hold active, unrestricted licences with their provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons - Each physician maintains current registration in the province where the patient resides - Our physicians have a minimum of 5 years post-residency clinical experience - All physicians complete annual continuing medical education (CME) requirements - Physicians are subject to the same regulatory oversight, complaints process, and disciplinary mechanisms as any physician in Canada **Clinical Assessment Process:** 1. Patient completes a detailed intake form describing symptoms, duration, functional limitations, and absence dates 2. Physician reviews the submission against clinical guidelines and their professional judgment 3. If additional information is needed, the physician contacts the patient directly 4. If the clinical picture supports the need for time off work/school, the physician issues a signed note 5. If the physician determines a sick note is not appropriate, the patient receives a full refund **Refusal Rate:** - MedLetter physicians decline approximately 8-12% of requests where clinical justification is insufficient - This refusal rate demonstrates that our service maintains genuine clinical standards - Common reasons for refusal: insufficient symptom description, dates that don't align with reported illness, requests for extended periods without adequate justification **Regulatory Compliance:** - CPSA (Alberta) Standard of Practice: Virtual Care - CPSO (Ontario) Policy: Telemedicine - CPSBC (British Columbia) Practice Standard: Telehealth - CMA Code of Ethics and Professionalism - PIPEDA and provincial health privacy legislation
Understanding your legal rights regarding sick notes is essential. Here is what the law actually says in each major province: **Alberta — Employment Standards Code:** - Employers cannot require a sick note for absences of 3 days or fewer (as of January 1, 2024) - For absences exceeding 3 days, employers may request medical documentation - Employers must bear the cost if they require a note (Alberta Employment Standards interpretation) - Workers are entitled to 5 paid sick days per year under the Canada Labour Code (federally regulated) **Ontario — Employment Standards Act (ESA):** - Employers cannot require a medical certificate for the first 3 days of personal emergency leave - The Protecting Workers Health Act (2024) further restricts when employers can demand notes - Employers who require notes must reimburse the cost - Ontario workers get 3 unpaid sick days per year under the ESA **British Columbia — Employment Standards Act:** - BC Paid Sick Leave legislation (2022) provides 5 paid sick days - Employers cannot require a note for the first 3 days of paid sick leave - For absences exceeding 3 days, employers may request reasonably sufficient proof - WorkSafeBC has separate documentation requirements for workplace injuries **Saskatchewan — Employment Act:** - Employers may request medical documentation for absences exceeding 3 consecutive days - 5 paid sick days for federally regulated workers - Provincial workers get unpaid sick leave protections **Key Legal Principle Across All Provinces:** A sick note from a licensed physician — whether obtained in-person or through telehealth — carries the same legal weight. No Canadian employment statute distinguishes between virtual and in-person medical assessments for documentation purposes. The Canadian Medical Association, all provincial Colleges, and Employment Standards branches have confirmed this equivalence.
Transparency builds trust. Here are real statistics from our service: **Volume and Speed:** - 50,000+ sick notes issued to date across all provinces - Average delivery time: 2.1 hours from form submission - 94% of notes delivered within 4 hours - 99.2% delivered same business day - Available 7 days a week including holidays **Geographic Distribution:** - Alberta: 35% of orders - Ontario: 30% of orders - British Columbia: 20% of orders - Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Atlantic provinces: 15% of orders - Served patients in 847 unique Canadian postal codes **Clinical Standards:** - 8-12% refusal rate (requests declined on clinical grounds) - 100% of notes signed by physicians with active provincial licences - Zero regulatory complaints upheld against our service - Full refund issued for every declined request **Customer Satisfaction:** - 4.8/5 average rating across all review platforms - 96% would recommend to a friend or colleague - Most common positive feedback: speed, professionalism, ease of process - Most common constructive feedback: wish we offered more documentation types (we now offer 9) **Employer Acceptance:** - 99.7% employer acceptance rate (based on follow-up surveys) - Used by employees at 2,000+ Canadian companies - Accepted by all major Canadian universities for exam deferrals - Accepted by Service Canada for EI Sickness Benefit claims
Every sick note issued through MedLetter is reviewed by a physician registered with the appropriate provincial college. Our physicians hold active licences and follow all provincial telehealth guidelines, college standards of practice, and Canadian privacy legislation. No note is issued without a legitimate clinical assessment.
Your health information is protected by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial health privacy legislation (HIA in Alberta, PHIPA in Ontario, PIPA in BC, PHIA in Manitoba/NL, HIPA in Saskatchewan, PIIDPA in Nova Scotia, PHIPAA in New Brunswick, HIPMA in PEI). All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256). We never share your information with employers, schools, or third parties.
College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). Sick leave: 3 days (no note required for first 3 days under Alberta Employment Standards). Employer may request after 3+ days.
Sick Note Calgary Sick Note Edmonton Sick Note Red Deer Sick Note Lethbridge Sick Note Medicine Hat Sick Note Grande Prairie Sick Note Fort McMurray Sick Note AirdrieCollege of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Sick leave: 3 days (ESA 2000 — no note for first 3 absences of ≤3 days in 12 months). Employer cannot require for first 3 short absences (Bill 68).
Sick Note Toronto Sick Note Ottawa Sick Note Mississauga Sick Note Brampton Sick Note Hamilton Sick Note London Sick Note Markham Sick Note VaughanCollege of Physicians & Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). Sick leave: 5 days (BC ESA — 5 paid sick days, no note for first 3). Employer may request after reasonable period.
Sick Note Vancouver Sick Note Surrey Sick Note Burnaby Sick Note Victoria Sick Note Kelowna Sick Note NanaimoCollege of Physicians & Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS). Sick leave: 12 days (Saskatchewan Employment Act — unpaid, no note for short absences). Employer may request for absences over 3 consecutive days.
Sick Note Saskatoon Sick Note Regina Sick Note Prince Albert Sick Note Moose JawCollege of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM). Sick leave: 3 days (Manitoba Employment Standards — unpaid, no note for ≤3 days). Employer may request after 3+ consecutive days.
Sick Note Winnipeg Sick Note Brandon Sick Note Steinbach Sick Note Thompson Sick Note WinklerCollege of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS). Sick leave: 3 days (Nova Scotia Labour Standards — unpaid sick leave). Employer may request for absences exceeding 3 days.
Sick Note Halifax Sick Note Dartmouth Sick Note SydneyCollege of Physicians & Surgeons of New Brunswick (CPSNB). Sick leave: 5 days (NB Employment Standards Act — unpaid). Employer may request after reasonable absence period.
Sick Note Moncton Sick Note Saint John Sick Note FrederictonCollege of Physicians & Surgeons of PEI (CPSPEI). Sick leave: 3 days (PEI Employment Standards Act — unpaid). Employer may request for extended absences.
Sick Note Charlottetown Sick Note SummersideCollege of Physicians & Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador (CPSNL). Sick leave: 7 days (NL Labour Standards — unpaid sick leave). Employer may request after 3+ consecutive days.
Sick Note St. John's Sick Note Corner BrookYes. Online sick notes issued by licensed Canadian physicians are legally valid across all provinces. Each provincial college of physicians (CPSA, CPSO, CPSBC, etc.) recognizes telehealth consultations as equivalent to in-person visits for the purpose of issuing medical documentation. The Canada Health Act does not distinguish between virtual and in-person medical assessments.
Costs vary by provider. Walk-in clinics may charge $20–$50 for a sick note (this is not covered by provincial health insurance in most provinces). Online services like MedLetter charge a flat $49 fee with same-day delivery. Some telehealth platforms charge $49–$99 depending on the service level. Emergency rooms do not typically issue sick notes.
It depends on your province and the length of your absence. In Ontario (Bill 68), employers cannot require a note for the first three short absences (3 days or less) in a 12-month period. In Alberta, no note is required for the first 3 days. Federally regulated employees cannot be asked for a note for absences of 5 days or less under the Canada Labour Code § 239.01. Check your province's specific employment standards legislation.
With MedLetter, most sick notes are delivered within 2–4 hours of completing the intake form. The process involves completing a secure online form (3–5 minutes), physician review, and email delivery. If the physician needs additional information, they may contact you by phone or video, which could extend the timeline slightly.
Online sick notes from licensed Canadian physicians are commonly accepted by employers across Canada. The note includes the physician's name, licence number, provincial college registration, and signature — the same elements as an in-person note. However, individual employer and school policies may vary. We recommend checking your specific workplace policy.
A valid Canadian sick note includes: the physician's full name and licence number, the date of assessment, the dates the patient was/is unable to work or attend school, a statement that the absence is medically justified, and the physician's signature. It does NOT include your diagnosis — Canadian privacy legislation (PIPEDA and provincial health privacy laws like PHIPA, HIA, PIPA, HIPA, PHIA) protects this information.
Yes. Over 6.5 million Canadians (22.2% of the population, per Statistics Canada 2023) do not have a family doctor. Online services like MedLetter exist specifically for this situation — you do not need a referral or existing patient relationship. Any licensed Canadian physician can issue a sick note after conducting an appropriate clinical assessment.
MedLetter serves all 10 Canadian provinces: Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador. We also serve federally regulated employees regardless of province. Our physicians are registered with the appropriate provincial college for your location.
In Canada, 'sick note' and 'doctor's note' refer to the same document — a medical certificate confirming that a patient was seen by a physician and that their absence from work or school is medically justified. Other terms include 'medical note,' 'medical certificate,' and 'fit note.' All refer to the same type of documentation.
Yes. Mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, stress, burnout) are legitimate medical reasons for a sick note in Canada. Canadian human rights legislation (including the Canadian Human Rights Act and provincial codes) protects employees from discrimination based on mental health. A physician can issue a sick note confirming you are unable to work due to a health condition without specifying the diagnosis.
Several provinces have restricted when employers can demand sick notes. Ontario's Bill 68 (Working for Workers Act, 2024) prohibits requiring notes for the first three short absences. British Columbia provides 5 paid sick days without requiring documentation for short absences under ESA § 49.1. Federal legislation (Canada Labour Code § 239.01) prohibits requiring notes for absences of 5 days or less. The trend across Canada is toward reducing sick note requirements.
If your employer questions the validity of an online sick note from a licensed Canadian physician, you can point them to the relevant provincial college's telehealth guidelines, which confirm that virtual assessments are equivalent to in-person visits. If issues persist, contact your provincial employment standards office or consult with an employment lawyer. MedLetter notes include full physician credentials for verification.
Yes. Telehealth is fully legal and regulated across all Canadian provinces. Each provincial college of physicians has published guidelines recognizing virtual care as an appropriate modality for clinical assessments. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption, and all provinces have since made virtual care a permanent part of their healthcare frameworks. A sick note issued via telehealth carries the same legal weight as one issued in person.
MedLetter complies with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and all applicable provincial health privacy legislation — including HIA (Alberta), PHIPA (Ontario), PIPA (BC), HIPA (Saskatchewan), PHIA (Manitoba & Newfoundland), PIIDPA (Nova Scotia), PHIPAA (New Brunswick), and HIPMA (PEI). All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256). We never share your health information with employers, schools, or third parties.
Yes. MedLetter sick notes are commonly accepted by Canadian universities and colleges for medical absence documentation, exam deferrals, and assignment extensions. The note confirms that a physician assessed you and determined your absence was medically justified — without disclosing your diagnosis. Check your institution's specific requirements, as some schools have their own medical certificate forms.
If the reviewing physician determines that a sick note is not clinically appropriate based on the information provided, you will receive a full refund. MedLetter physicians exercise independent clinical judgment — we never pressure physicians to issue documentation. Not all requests result in a note being issued, and all such cases receive a complete refund.
A MedLetter sick note is a legitimate medical document issued by a licensed Canadian physician after a clinical assessment. It includes the physician's real name, provincial college licence number, and verifiable credentials. Fake or forged sick notes are illegal in Canada and can result in termination and criminal fraud charges. MedLetter notes can be verified by contacting the issuing physician's provincial college.
You can request a sick note for a recent illness (retroactive) or a current illness. Many Canadians need documentation after recovering from an illness because their employer requested it upon return. MedLetter physicians can assess whether your reported symptoms and absence dates are consistent with a medical condition that would have prevented you from working. Notes are only issued when medically appropriate.