Border Crossing

I am a Canadian living in the US. I have dual citizenship. I usually visit Canada once a year and I drive across the border as to avoid any questions as I am under the impression that I will have to surrender my OHIP and it would cause a lot of other problems if immigration is to know I am living full time in the US. Usually I just say I've been visitng for a couple of weeks if I am asked when crossing. I would rather not have to do that. What should I be saying? I would like to just fly right into Canada and not have the inconvenience of driving. If anyone has any info to offer please let me know.

Are you still filing Canadian income tax returns? If so, you can usually keep your OHIP active for 5 years, but you have to request it. Immigration doesn't care about your OHIP, but Revenue Canada will because it's a significant residential tie. Do you still have an Ontario address? As far as what you should be saying, the truth has always worked for me and I highly recommend it. You're a dual citizen, so I'm not sure what your worry would be. Don't both sides have to let you in when you show up?

If you're a dual citizen you have to file a US tax return, so maintaining OHIP would simply make you resident for tax purposes and that comes with penalties obviously if you don't file a return.

CBSA don't talk to OHIP, if you just produce a Canadian passport that's it, pretty much. But the CRA will cotton on sooner or later regardless of where you are, I think the Ontario Revenue people do talk to OHIP so if you don't file a T1 for Ontario every year, that's going to come up. And if you do file a T1 you will end up being dual-taxed, because you are resident in the US but claiming you're also resident in Canada.

It is illegal to continue to use provincial healthcare services after you are no longer a resident of the province. Anyone could report you and you could be legally liable to pay for any medical services you have received since you left, and may serve jail time.

Just thought I'd point out that Canuck Abroad does not condone illegal behavior in any way shape or form.

From the OHIP website:

Who is eligible for Ontario health insurance?
Generally speaking, Canadian citizens, permanent residents or landed immigrants, convention refugees, or a person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act, or others listed in Regulation 552 who :

Make their permanent and principal home in Ontario, and
Are physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period.
In order to ensure that only eligible Ontario health card holders have access to publicly funded health services, eligibility assessments are conducted by the ministry on a routine basis under the authority of the
Health Insurance Act.

The ministry investigates each and every allegation it receives regarding health insurance abuse.

Ontario health insurance coverage is cancelled where health card holders are unable to prove entitlement to Ontario health insurance. Where fraud is suspected, cases are referred to the Ontario Provincial Police Anti-Rackets Health Fraud Investigation Unit for investigation and possible prosecution.

Under the Criminal Code of Canada Section 380, a person convicted of fraud exceeding $5,000 could be imprisoned up to 10 years. Restitution may also be ordered under the Criminal Code.

A person, who has been convicted of a provincial offence under the Health Insurance Act, is subject to a penalty of up to $25,000 and/or jail up to 12 months for a first offence. For a subsequent offence the penalty is a fine of up to $50,000 and/or jail up to 12 months. Under the Health Insurance Act, a court can also order a person convicted, to pay compensation or make restitution to a person who suffers a loss as a result of the offence.

I have an address in Canada still and was initially told that as long as I visit Canada at least every 6 months I would be ok.

What do you all tell Cdn customs when you cross back into Canada?

If you are a Canadian citizen, you have a right to enter Canada regardless of any status you may hold in another country. You should carry proof of your citizenship (passport or birth certificate) whenever you cross any border. Depending on your status in your current country of residence, there may be some conditions on importing goods.

I have an address in Canada still and was initially told that as long as I visit Canada at least every 6 months I would be ok.

Whoever told you that was incorrect. In order to keep your OHIP you actually have to reside in the country for 6 months per year, not just visit for a few days every 6 months.

I don't tell them anything they don't ask about. My permanent residence is in the US, I'm only going "home" to visit for a few days. I canceled my OHIP when I left.

There is a 5 year provision though for people being out of the country. I don't have time now, but I'll look it up and post tomorrow.

IIRC, I believe you have to write to OHIP and ask them for the extension before you leave the country though.