Do I have the right to copies of my medical record?

[AllisonVSC]

I'm an American PR and brought my own copies of my medical records with me from the states back in 2009. I am about to change family doctors and my Canadian partner says that I do not have the right to access or request copies of the files of my current doctor, but that the records will be transferred to my new physician.

Is it true, that I do not have the right to my own medical records?

[Leon]

You do have the right to see them, see http://www.google.ca/search?q=canada+right+to+see+medical+records but they can charge you fees for copying them for you.

They will however transfer them to another doctor for you without a problem.

I once needed a page out of my file at the GP's office and it was not a big problem to get it but they insisted that I go and see the doctor first.  It was a big clinic so it wasn't even my doctor that was on duty but instead of paying whatever fee to get this page copied, I had to wait for 40 minutes, get in to see this doc, ask if I can get a copy of this page, doc says yes, goes out with me following, tells the receptionists I can get this copy and that was it.  I didn't have to pay any fee for the copy that time but I am sure they charged AB health some $$$ for a doctors visit.

[AllisonVSC]

Thanks for the reply Leon. I bet that is exactly what my former GP will do when I ask for them.