Pregnant brit in Canada with Canadian partner

[Caitlinmary]

I'm a British citizen on a two year working visa. I have one year left.
I am 8 weeks pregnant. My partner is Canadian and we have been together long enough to be common-law. I am in the process of sorting it out now which is difficult with no service canada.
Currently all service canada offices are closed due to Covid 19 or id go there for advice.

I had employment but have just been made redundant as it is seasonal work. My partner also.

I'd like to have the baby here as the covid situation is a lot less intense here in BC as it is in the UK right now. The health services are under a lot less pressure. Travel isn't a good idea right now. It just makes sense.
However, I'm not in a financial position to pay for the full price of the birth and check ups and have plenty to support our family. I'm wondering what I am entitled to? Can I get covered to have it here? The father of the child is a full Canadian citizen.

We are common-law and will be marrying in the near future.

I'm stressed about the situation and I'd just really like if someone could clarify what is available for people in my situation. Covid is making it hard to deal with.

I've found a place and will be getting a doctor as soon as I get there, I have insurance but I don't think it covers pregnancy.

Please help with advice,
Sincerely Caitlin

 

[canuck78]

Do you not have MSP already? What kind of visa are you on?

 

[Caitlinmary]

No I don't I didn't think I could get it, I may be incorrect. I'm on my two year working holiday visa from the UK.

 

[Caitlinmary]

Do you not have MSP already? What kind of visa are you on?

I wasn't aware I could apply as I was moving provinces and sightseeing before. I am now making BC my home for the next year but it says I must be working and I am currently signed off from seasonal work and looking for employment.

 

[Caitlinmary]

I will be looking for employment as soon as I'm settled in my new home. I was made redundant as the work I was doing was seasonal forestry work, do you know if this means I am eligible for a health card anyway. I work a lot of hours over this summer and last and have payed taxes in BC.

 

[Bs65]

Have you submitted the spouse sponsorship PR application yet given if you read the MSP page there is a possibility of cover if a PR application has been submitted, see the dependants section

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...ibility-and-enrolment/are-you-eligible#others

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...ible/applicants-for-permanent-resident-status

 

[canuck78]

I wasn't aware I could apply as I was moving provinces and sightseeing before. I am now making BC my home for the next year but it says I must be working and I am currently signed off from seasonal work and looking for employment.

If you were moving provinces frequently before it wasn’t a possibility to meet the residency requirements.

 

[Caitlinmary]

The issue is, I can't apply for the spouse sponsership for PR until I become common law with my partner, or we marry. We were advised last time we were in service canada (pre covid) that we should change status to commonlaw soon but I don't know how without going to the service desk.
I can also apply for the MSP alone as I am settling in BC but I don't have a job yet, this seems to be a requirement. I was working in the forestry sector all summer. but I am now redundant. Is it still possible to get coverage?

Thankyou for the help so far.

 

[canuck78]

Are you and your partner able to prove that you have been living together continuously for 1 continuous year? You’ll need stuff like both being on the lease. Proof of mail in both your names coming to the address starting at the beginning of the cohabitation period and throughout the 1 year? Have you or your partner filed your taxes as common law?

 

[Caitlinmary]

No we have not but last time we were in the tax office the member of staff said we would be able to in a couple of months. We lived together in both Scotland and Canada, and worked together but I don't think we have any evidence other that pictures of us together over the past two years. We had a lease together in nova scotia but the landlord was very unorganised and never got us an official lease so we left. Would a lease from Scotland work?

 

[scylla]

No we have not but last time we were in the tax office the member of staff said we would be able to in a couple of months. We lived together in both Scotland and Canada, and worked together but I don't think we have any evidence other that pictures of us together over the past two years. We had a lease together in nova scotia but the landlord was very unorganised and never got us an official lease so we left. Would a lease from Scotland work?

If the lease in Scotland covers a full year, then yes.