Health Coverage

Canada's universal health coverage doesn't start immediately in most provinces, even if you are already a permanent resident or citizen - any supplemental insurance you purchase during the time you aren't covered must be bought within 5 days of arriving in Ontario, or the insurance companies will not provide coverage for you.

• Paying for health insurance prior to health coverage eligibility
• Private health insurance for new immigrants
• Applying for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan
• Canadian Health Centres (CHCs) - Some of these offer health services to people who do not yet have their health card (OHIP).
  

I'm still researching this, but one source shows roughly $167/month for coverage for Nickie, supposing 1 year coverage, and if we chose to cover me, about $126/month for 3 months. My dad, should he come with, would pay about $277/month for 3 months (assuming he is allowed to retain his PR status). Any pre-existing conditions in the preceding 3 months would not be covered, nor would any treatments that could be safely performed in the U.S. if we were to return there. This looks like basic emergency-related coverage, so that if you have a medical emergency and are too sick to travel back to the U.S. for treatment, you can at least get enough treatment to get stabilized.

This is only one insurer, so more research to follow. Obviously, some comparison shopping is in order.