Notifying Government Agencies After a Death in Canada

After a death is registered, there is a list of organisations that need to be informed. Here is a systematic guide to who to contact and what to say — covering federal agencies, provincial services, and financial institutions. If you'd rather have a plan built around your situation, answer a few questions and we'll put one together →

Service Canada

Call 1-800-277-9914. Report the death to stop any Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Old Age Security (OAS) payments. Payments made after the date of death must be returned. At the same time, apply for the CPP Death Benefit and ask about the Survivor’s Pension and other entitlements.

Canada Revenue Agency

Call 1-800-959-8281 to notify the CRA of the death. You will need to file a final T1 return for the deceased. Once the estate is settled, apply to the CRA for a Clearance Certificate confirming all taxes have been paid — this protects the executor personally before distributing estate assets.

Provincial health insurance

Cancel the deceased’s provincial health card. Key contacts:

• Ontario (OHIP): 1-888-662-6613
• British Columbia (MSP): 1-800-663-7100
• Alberta (AHCIP): 1-780-427-1432
• Québec (RAMQ): 1-800-561-9749

Contact your provincial health ministry directly if not listed above.

Driver’s licence

Return or cancel the deceased’s driver’s licence through the provincial licensing authority — ServiceOntario, ICBC in BC, Alberta Registry agents, SAAQ in Québec, and so on. Also cancel vehicle registration if the vehicle is not being transferred.

Passport

Canadian passports should be cancelled to prevent misuse. Return the passport or contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to request cancellation.

Banks and financial institutions

Notify each bank, credit union, and investment institution. Accounts are typically frozen on notification until the executor provides death certificate and probate documentation (if required). A probate lawyer can advise on the process of accessing and distributing funds.

Insurance companies

Contact each life insurer promptly to initiate claims. Also notify home, auto, and health insurance providers to cancel or transfer policies. Premiums paid on cancelled policies may be partly refundable.

Canada Post

Apply to redirect or hold mail to ensure important correspondence reaches the executor. Visit canadapost.ca or contact your local post office.

Elections Canada

Elections Canada is typically notified through Vital Statistics, but you can contact them directly at 1-800-463-6868 to confirm removal from the National Register of Electors.

Telecommunications and subscriptions

Cancel or transfer mobile phone, internet, and cable contracts. Cancel digital subscriptions and memberships. Most providers have a bereavement process and will deal with you sensitively with a death certificate.

Veterans Affairs Canada

If the deceased was a veteran or receiving VAC benefits, call 1-866-522-2122. Stop any VAC payments and ask about funeral benefits and survivor entitlements.