Health Coverage and Residential Ties

Hello there,

Hypothetical Situation:

Non Resident Canadian Citizen applied for BC MSP in April. (would this matter if the applicant was applying from another country?)

Obtained BC MSP in July.

No other significant ties to Canada aside from the BC MSP.

Is the resumption of Canadian residency date in April or in July? I would think July as that was when the coverage was obtained.

Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

I would think that as a non-resident you're not even eligible for provincial health care benefits.

Was a non resident when applying for health coverage in April. Do you became a resident when you get approval for coverage in July? No other ties in Canada. Thanks.

no, you become a resident by moving to and living in Canada. I'm surprised they even approved your application if you are a non-resident.

Sorry, I should specify by saying resident for tax purposes. Due to the three month wait, am I a resident when I arrived in Canada or when I got my health coverage? No other significant ties to Canada. Thanks.

Well are you actually resident in Canada or not? Your first post you said you are a NON resident. If you are a NON resident, you're not eligible for provincial health care AFAIK, so how did you get BC MSP? Did you lie on your application or ?

If you are physically IN Canada and a born citizen, then you are resident from when you enter the country. If you're NOT physically in Canada, then I don't know what CRA would consider as your "resident" date, because you're not actually resident.

"Non-resident" means different things, for example you can be a resident of Canada for tax purposes but not a resident of BC for healthcare purposes. There is a provision in the law about healthcare resuming if you previously lived there after a shorter period, but it depends on the Province.

Obviously you will have it by the later date but I think only the Province could tell you if it's an earlier date, depends when you left, where you previously lived in Canada, etc.