Canada enjoys a stable political and economic environment, and is perceived as a safe country in comparison to most of the rest of the world. Also, with a globally recognized post-secondary education system, many foreigners see Canada as an ideal place to raise and / or educate their children in order to provide them with the best possible opportunities for future success.
As a result, and with the increased ease of global mobility in recent years, “birth tourism” (or “maternity tourism”) in Canada has been on the rise. Under the Canadian Citizenship Act, all babies born on Canadian soil are automatically granted Canadian citizenship (except for children of foreign diplomats). Canada and the United States are the only G7 countries that still have birthright citizenship.
However, generally speaking, Canadian obstetricians are not interested in accepting patients from outside the country (unless they are Canadian citizens living abroad). Taking on foreign patients complicates liability and insurance coverage issues for Canadian hospitals, and that makes it difficult for doctors to accept them as patients
There are some exceptions to this rule, and in recent years, an industry of immigration consultants has developed to help and support foreigners who are looking to deliver a baby in Canada. Their services include immigration consulting, finding temporary accommodations in Canada and referrals to Canadian doctors who are willing to see foreign patients. The cost for a foreigner to deliver a baby in Canada can range anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000.
While birth tourism is still legal in Canada, recently there have been petitions (as well as reports from immigration officials) urging the government to restrict granting citizenship by birth on Canadian soil to children with at least one parent who is a citizen or permanent resident. The United States is also considering changes to their birthright citizenship laws. It’s hard to say how much longer this opportunity will last.
For anyone seriously considering delivering a baby in Canada, here are some tips to help you plan:
-Large cities (like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver) will usually offer a wider range of medical services to foreigners in comparison to smaller cities.
-According to statistics Canada, February is the least popular month for baby deliveries in Canada. Specifically, between the years 2010 and 2014 (inclusive), there were on average 16% less birth in February than the highest month (July). This means that planning to deliver in a baby in February will translate into more readily available medical care and other related services.
-According to skyviewsuites.com (a leading Canadian furnished rentals company), temporary furnished accommodations are significantly less expensive (by as much as 20% – 30%) during the winter. Of course, the downside is that you will have to brave the infamous Canadian winter!