Moving from one Canadian province to another can be an exciting new chapter, filled with new job opportunities and experiences. Still, it also comes with important legal and administrative steps. As a law firm, we know better than most that changing your province of residence isn’t just about packing boxes – it triggers obligations under provincial laws and some federal rules. To make the transition smoother, keep these key obligations in mind.

Provincial vs. Federal Authority Over Changing Residency Within Canada

Under Canadian law, you have the right to move and live in any province or territory. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees mobility rights: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can “move, take up residence and work in all Canadian provinces”. In other words, no province can legally restrict your freedom to relocate or require special permission to become a resident.

That said, most aspects of changing your residence are governed by provincial laws and regulations, not federal. Canada does not have a single national system for things like health insurance or driver licensing. Instead, each province or territory runs its own programs.

The federal government sets certain standards or provides coordination (for example, the Canada Health Act sets baseline rules, and the Canada Revenue Agency handles income tax for provinces). Still, the day-to-day processes of updating your health card, getting a new driver’s licence, or registering your car are handled at the provincial level. As you’ll see, when you move, you’ll be dealing mostly with provincial authorities in your old and new provinces. The federal role is primarily in areas such as taxation and ensuring the basic portability of benefits across provinces.

Key Obligations When Changing Province of Residence

Whenever you change your primary residence to a different province, there are several essential steps you need to take. Here are the key areas you must address, typically within specific timeframes, to stay on the right side of the law and maintain access to services.

Health Care Coverage

In Canada, each province runs its own public health care system. If you move to a new province, it is your responsibility to update your health insurance by notifying your current province that you are leaving and applying for coverage in your new province.

Because registration and activation may take a few weeks, there is a three-month health care transition period. During this time, your former province, often called your home province, will continue to cover your insured medical services, but only for up to three months after you move. For example, if you move from Ontario to Alberta, Ontario’s plan will cover you until your Alberta coverage begins, but not beyond the three-month limit.

This is why it is important to apply for your new provincial health card as soon as you arrive. In most provinces, you need to visit a government service centre or registry office with documents that prove your identity, legal status in Canada, and your new address. Once your application is approved, your new health card will be mailed to you.

If you do not have private insurance for prescription drugs, you may need to register for that insurance in the new province, as these do not transfer automatically.

Driver’s Licence

You are required to exchange your driver’s licence from your old province for a licence in your new province within a strict timeframe. Driving licences are issued by provinces, and you can only hold a valid licence in one province at a time. Most provinces give new residents a grace period of about 60 to 90 days to use an out-of-province licence before you must obtain a local one.

For example, Ontario requires new residents to get an Ontario licence within 60 days of moving (you can drive with your old licence for those first 60 days, but no longer). Alberta, by comparison, allows up to 90 days for you to exchange an out-of-province licence for an Alberta license. Regardless of the province, you will need to visit the local licensing office (e.g., Service Ontario, Service Alberta, ICBC in B.C., etc.) with identification and proof of your new address to apply for the new licence. Your old licence will be surrendered, and you will be given a temporary license before your new card comes in the mail.

The good news is, if you already hold a Canadian driver’s licence, you typically do not have to take any tests again when transferring within Canada. It’s a straight exchange of credentials in virtually all cases. Just be mindful of the deadline in your new province and make the swap in time to remain licensed.

Vehicle Registration and Licence Plates

If you own a vehicle, you must also register it in your new province and get new licence plates. This process is province-specific and often comes with a shorter grace period than the driver’s licence. Many provinces require you to re-register your vehicle within 30 days of becoming a resident. For instance, a new resident in British Columbia or Ontario has 30 days to register and plate their vehicle after moving. Alberta’s timeline is a bit more generous. As a new Alberta resident, you have up to 90 days to register an out-of-province vehicle, but it’s wise not to delay.

To register your car, you’ll need to show proof of ownership (such as the title or previous registration), proof of valid auto insurance in the new province, and often, you must pass a vehicle safety inspection. Out-of-province inspection requirements are common: provinces want to ensure that any vehicle coming from elsewhere meets local safety standards. For example, Alberta mandates a mechanical fitness inspection for vehicles brought in from other provinces before it will register them. Once you meet the requirements, you’ll pay the plate and registration fees and receive new plates.

Remember to update your insurance policy at the same time, as auto insurance does not automatically carry over when you move to a new province. In provinces with government insurance (like B.C., Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), you’ll have to purchase a policy from the government insurer. While in provinces with private insurance (like Alberta, Ontario), you’ll need to get a new policy from a licensed insurer in that province. It’s illegal to drive without registering and insuring your vehicle in your new home province, so handle this promptly within the allowed window.

Income Tax and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Records

Changing provinces can affect your income tax obligations and benefit payments, so it’s important to update your information with the federal government. For tax purposes, Canada uses a “province of residence” approach based on where you live on December 31 of the tax year. In practical terms, this means that even if you move from Province A to Province B halfway through the year, your income for that entire year will be taxed according to the tax rates and rules of the province where you resided on December 31.

For example, if you moved permanently from Alberta to Ontario during the year, when you file your tax return, you will file as an Ontario resident. You’ll pay Ontario’s provincial tax on your income and be eligible only for Ontario-specific credits or benefits, not Alberta’s. Of course, you would still include any T4 or income slips from an Alberta employer, but the provincial part of the tax return would be Ontario in this scenario.

Notify the CRA of your address change as soon as you move so that your CRA file is updated. This ensures that any correspondence, tax refunds, or benefit payments (like the GST/HST credit or Canada Child Benefit) go to your new address and are calculated correctly for your new province. The easiest way is to use CRA’s online “My Account” service or to call them directly.

Note that you generally do not need to file anything special to inform a province that you moved out for tax purposes; it’s all handled through your federal tax return. One exception is Quebec, which requires a separate provincial tax return to be filed with Revenu Québec, but even in that case, your residency is determined by the same year-end rule.

Elections and Other Records

Federally, if you’re a Canadian citizen, your voter information for federal elections is often updated via your provincial driver’s licence (thanks to data sharing with Elections Canada). It’s still a good idea to check that you’re on the electoral list at your new address when an election rolls around, but you usually won’t have to do a separate update.

Similarly, if you receive federal mail (such as for passport renewal notices or other communications), you should update your new mailing address directly with any federal departments you deal with. For instance, if you have a Nexus card or other federal travel program, update those online. None of these are legal obligations per se, but they are practical to ensure you remain informed and able to exercise your rights.

Wills and Estate Planning Documents

Your will and other estate planning documents, like powers of attorney or personal directives, may remain formally valid after you move provinces, but that doesn’t mean they’ll operate as intended under the laws of your new home.

Your primary residence (domicile) determines which province’s estate laws apply when you die. If you move and settle permanently in a new province, local laws on matters like dependants’ relief, matrimonial property, and probate may apply even if your will was signed elsewhere. This means your will could produce unintended consequences if you don’t review it in light of new laws.

Likewise, if your executor or guardian lives in a different province, this can create complications. Some provinces require non-resident executors to post a bond or appoint a local agent, so reviewing your appointments after a move is a smart precaution.

Unlike wills, powers of attorney and personal directives often depend on specific provincial laws and may not be enforceable or may require new wording after you relocate, so drafting fresh documents in your new province is usually the best approach. A move is the ideal time to review your estate plan with a local wills and estate planning lawyer. Doing so helps ensure your documents remain valid, enforceable, and aligned with the legal rules of your new province.

Family Law Agreements

When relocating to a different province in Canada or even another country, it’s important to review any family law agreements or court orders you have, such as separation agreements, parenting arrangements, or support obligations. While valid agreements and court orders generally remain enforceable nationwide, the procedural rules for enforcement often vary from province to province. You may need to register your court orders, particularly support or parenting orders, with the courts or enforcement agencies in your new province to ensure they can be enforced locally.

If you rely on provincial enforcement programs for child or spousal support, transferring your file between provincial agencies is usually required and is not automatic. Most agreements and the federal Divorce Act require formal notice of a change in residence, especially if children are involved. Failure to provide proper notice could have legal consequences.

Each situation is different, so consulting a family lawyer in your new province is advisable to protect your legal interests and ensure compliance with local requirements.

Professional Licences and Regulatory Bodies

If you hold a professional designation or licence (such as lawyer, doctor, nurse, engineer, accountant, or tradesperson), moving provinces involves more than just updating your address. Since most professional regulators operate at the provincial level, you often need to transfer, reapply, or obtain approval to practise in your new province.

While the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) allow most licensed professionals to transfer between provinces with minimal barriers, this typically still involves paperwork, fees, and proof of good standing. Some provinces impose additional requirements, such as ethics or jurisprudence exams, or mandate registration with a local regulatory body. For instance, Alberta’s Law Society requires incoming lawyers to register under its mobility rules before practising.

Before relocating or continuing work, always check with the regulatory body in your destination province about licensing requirements and application timelines. Since practising without proper authorization can lead to disciplinary action.

Can You Be a Resident in Two Provinces?

Generally, no, you can not be a resident in two provinces. For most legal, tax, and administrative purposes in Canada, you are considered a resident of one province at a time.

However, there are grey areas for people who split time between two provinces or who are temporarily relocated, such as seasonal workers, students, or those with multiple properties. In such cases, you are still expected to declare one province as your primary residence. Legally, this is known as your domicile, or permanent home. It is a single location usually based on where you spend the most time, keep your family home, or have significant residential ties like employment, a driver’s licence, and health care. You may have multiple addresses, but only one is your true legal domicile at a given time.

If you are planning a move into or out of Alberta and want to ensure your legal affairs are handled properly, whether it’s updating your will, reviewing family law agreements, or understanding jurisdictions, we encourage you to get in touch with our team at DLegal Law Office.

Our experienced lawyers can provide tailored advice and support to help make your transition seamless and compliant with Alberta law. Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you before, during, or after your move.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be considered legal or other professional advice. To get detailed information regarding your specific circumstances, please discuss your situation with a lawyer or other professional. Refer to our Legal Notice  for more details.