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Moving to Ottawa, from Toronto

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  • Jan 24th, 2021 8:09 pm
Deal Fanatic
Jul 4, 2004
7430 posts
4677 upvotes
Ottawa
Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe your taxes are based on your place of residence, not your place of work. If you are working in Ontario, that employer will withhold taxes based on the rate for that province. When you do your taxes, you will get be credited for income taxes paid to another province (and I suspect behind the scenes the Provinces will exchange the amount) but you are charged the rate in your province of residence.

As far as which province is better, that's up to you to decide and I believe it's been discussed at length in the past. My personal opinion is that you will likely pay a bit more taxes in Quebec and IMO, the Ontario Health Care system is significantly better and more available (e.g. if you live in Quebec and need to see a specialist, you will likely have to go see a doctor in Montreal). And, although I am francophone, I do not agree with a some of the language laws in Quebec.
Last edited by michelb on Jun 26th, 2018 2:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jr. Member
Feb 23, 2017
104 posts
25 upvotes
St-Lambert, QC
Chickinvic wrote: You will have to pay more income taxes if you live on the Quebec side. Everyone I know that has done it to try to cheap out gets tired of living there in a hurry (plus the commute sucks balls). I would not even consider it if it were me.

I also don't think Gatineau is anywhere near as nice as Ottawa. I think it might Taint your feelings about living here. Just my opinion.
Thanks for the input,

Are you confirming the answers to my tax questions?

Can you please elaborate more?

It's not about my feelings of not living in QC, I would like to do my calculations and try to balance it ultimately.

Thanks
Deal Fanatic
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Dec 27, 2009
7941 posts
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Victoria, BC
harith86 wrote: Thanks for the input,

Are you confirming the answers to my tax questions?

Can you please elaborate more?

It's not about my feelings of not living in QC, I would like to do my calculations and try to balance it ultimately.

Thanks
Yes I am confirming that income taxes are higher if you live in Quebec. Medical care availability sucks in Quebec also. Many drive to Ontario side for treatment.
Jr. Member
Feb 23, 2017
104 posts
25 upvotes
St-Lambert, QC
michelb wrote: Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe your taxes are based on your place of residence, not your place of work. If you are working in Ontario, that employer will withhold taxes based on the rate for that province. When you do your taxes, you will get be credited for income taxes paid to another province (and I suspect behind the scenes the Provinces will exchange the amount) but you are charged the rate in your province of residence.

As far as which province is better, that's up to you to decide and I believe it's been discussed at length in the past. My personal opinion is that you will likely pay a bit more taxes in Quebec and IMO, the Ontario Health Care system is significantly better and more available (e.g. if you live in Canada and need to see a specialist, you will likely have to go see a doctor in Montreal). And, although I am francophone, I do not agree with a some of the language laws in Quebec.
Thanks for the clarification,

That means the employer will deduct Ontario taxes, but when I file my taxes while I am residing in Quebec, I would be a Quebecois and I would owe taxes to the government of Quebec after I have paid my taxes to the government of Ontario... correct me if I got this wrong..

Also, how would Quebecois residents get treatment from the Ontario health care system if they have Quebec health card?

Thanks,,,,,
Deal Fanatic
Jul 4, 2004
7430 posts
4677 upvotes
Ottawa
harith86 wrote: Thanks for the clarification,

That means the employer will deduct Ontario taxes, but when I file my taxes while I am residing in Quebec, I would be a Quebecois and I would owe taxes to the government of Quebec after I have paid my taxes to the government of Ontario... correct me if I got this wrong..

Also, how would Quebecois residents get treatment from the Ontario health care system if they have Quebec health card?

Thanks,,,,,
For the taxes, if you are living in Quebec, working in Ontario, your Ontario employer will withhold taxes based on the Ontario rate. At the end of the year (and I believe it's literally that; your province of residence on Dec. 31st), you will owe taxes to the province you reside in.

E.g. (numbers picked randomly, no idea if they are valid)

$70k / year salary. Ontario employer has withheld $30k of taxes ($10k for federal, $20k for provincial)
Quebec resident owes $33k in taxes ($10k for federal, $23k for provincial) so will get credit for the $20k paid but will still owe $3k in taxes to Quebec.


As far as medical care, I've also heard that some Quebec residents get treatment in Ontario but I'm not sure how easy / common it is. I've seen some Ontario doctors with extra fees for Quebec residents (it's likely that Quebec may not pay the same amount as Ontario does for some services) or signs saying Quebec residents must pay upfront for any services (i.e. that doctor will not process the payment from the province of Quebec so you have to pay in advance (and then I'm guessing you can apply to the province of Quebec for refund)). I also know that some Ontario doctors will not take patients from Quebec (when my in-laws moved from Montreal to Ottawa, this was a bit of an issue as it can take about 3 months to get an Ontario Health Card so we had to find an Ontario Doctor that would accept Quebec patients (some do) (They both have health issues so couldn't go 3 months without access to health care)
Jr. Member
Feb 23, 2017
104 posts
25 upvotes
St-Lambert, QC
fourcylinder wrote: I have lived in both cities. Ottawa is better if you're a boring introvert like I am who spends most weekends playing games.
Lol I am not a boring introvert....
Deal Fanatic
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Dec 27, 2009
7941 posts
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Victoria, BC
harith86 wrote: Lol I am not a boring introvert....
Don't worry about that comment. There is lots to do here in Ottawa.
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2011
41797 posts
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Center of Universe
fourcylinder wrote: I have lived in both cities. Ottawa is better if you're a boring introvert like I am who spends most weekends playing games.

Cost of living is noticeably lower (though the cost of buying a home is rising steadily). Gas and groceries are generally cheaper. I rented an inlaw suite for $700/month in 2012 in Kanata. However the Ottawa area is not very transit friendly compared to Toronto. If you don't own a car life will suck real hard. Car insurance rates are lower overall (paid about $1600/year for full coverage on a Ford Fusion).

If you live in Quebec you pay Quebec income tax and general purchases are hit with a 15% sales tax (I guess you can avoid this by just shopping in ON). Don't do it if you're a single renter, but if you're married with kids, there are high net savings (cheaper daycare, cheaper houses). Commuting sucks though.
Please share...as we were paying just shy of $1800 a month from 1yr-3yr?
Jr. Member
Feb 23, 2017
104 posts
25 upvotes
St-Lambert, QC
Chickinvic wrote: Don't worry about that comment. There is lots to do here in Ottawa.
Thank you :)

Everyone has a different experience. At this point I cannot even change my mind as I have to start my job on July 3rd, and there's no turning back even if Ottawa would be boring for me lol (but I know it won't).

I am a very social person and cannot even stay home after having my dinner when I come back from work. So, hoping Ottawa/Gatineau would offer a good social life.

Thanks again for the inputs.
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Dec 27, 2009
7941 posts
5483 upvotes
Victoria, BC
harith86 wrote: Thank you :)

Everyone has a different experience. At this point I cannot even change my mind as I have to start my job on July 3rd, and there's no turning back even if Ottawa would be boring for me lol (but I know it won't).

I am a very social person and cannot even stay home after having my dinner when I come back from work. So, hoping Ottawa/Gatineau would offer a good social life.

Thanks again for the inputs.
Between the two cities you'll find something to do. There's lots of music festivals, plenty of events, etc. Try to find local Facebook groups with your interests.
Newbie
Nov 19, 2019
1 posts
I am not sure that Ottawa is boaring .if you are student or working here there are alot to do and discover here.
Like I am student here in Ottawa and there are alot to do in Ottawa in terms of events and sport activities to do. If you have a car or a bicycle you can discover here easier . Like there are lots of parks(safari, gatineau,...),spas,shopping centers, outlet, great local resturants for brunch and breakfast (kettleman's bagel) and sport activities.
Like my husband and his colleagues have plan to go somewhere every friday. Last week they went archery.
Also , many music activities happens in downtown.
Banned
Dec 4, 2019
68 posts
6 upvotes
Hello
I am planning to move to ottawa from toronto in March 2020 just wanted to know how has been your experience so far? Are you enjoying your time? Did you find a good property and how is the cost of living
Newbie
Jan 10, 2019
3 posts
doomhammer wrote: Nah. I certainly did. Bayshore area. Yeah I did mention parts of the city are OK. Bridlewood is fine.

Oh did I mention Canadian Tire took 3 weeks to my order where normally it takes 1 week.

What did I do? oh .. working! There was an open position and I transferred. But I didnt like Ottawa. When a new opportunity opened up in Toronto, I moved back. Never going to NCR again! Visits Ok. Relo - NOPE!

What area did you move to in the gta after Bayshore??
Deal Addict
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Aug 11, 2003
1715 posts
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C-53
ChrisJ42487 wrote: What area did you move to in the gta after Bayshore??
I returned home. Central/West Mississauga.
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