Plan the Canadian side of your family move

Create one timeline for destination visas, tax residence, the Canadian home, registered accounts, pensions, provincial healthcare, schools and family records. It will show which decisions control the moving date.

No. The CRA looks at significant residential ties, the family's circumstances and any applicable treaty. Citizenship and a plane ticket do not decide the answer alone.

Canada can treat certain assets as sold at fair market value when residence ends. This deemed disposition may create a gain even without a cash sale, while registered plans and Canadian real property follow different rules.

Often yes, subject to provider restrictions. Non-resident RRSP withdrawals can face withholding, and non-resident TFSA contributions generally attract 1% tax per month. The destination may not recognise either account's Canadian tax treatment.

CPP can generally be paid abroad when the person qualifies. OAS usually requires 20 years of Canadian residence after age 18 for payment outside Canada, unless an international agreement or special rule helps.

Provincial and territorial plans are residence-based and use different rules. A permanent move normally ends eligibility, so confirm the date and activate international cover without a gap.

Compare after-tax sale proceeds with conservative net rent, management, non-resident withholding, insurance, mortgage and return flexibility. The home's availability can also affect the tax-residency analysis.

Six to twelve months is useful where the move includes property, investments, complex tax, pensions, health underwriting, school admissions, pets or a business.