Provincial Programs
Hope Air programs recognize the unique needs of specific communities and regions across the country. In collaboration with provincial health authorities, such as the Ministry of Health British Columbia, Health PEI and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Hope Air provides diverse programs to support the medical travel needs of patients who require care far from home. Hope Air programs and services may vary based upon province of residence.
For general information about Hope Air programs, please visit Travel Support and Services Page. To make a travel request click here.
British Columbia
Hope Air provides two programs in British Columbia to assist patients and their escorts for medical travel: BC Cancer Travel Support Program and BC General Travel Support Program for travel related to all health conditions covered by the provincial healthcare plan. These programs provide free airline and related programs to assist patients when travelling for medical diagnosis, treatment or care.
Hope Air provides free round trip airline travel, through national and regional commercial airlines. Our patients fly with airlines such as WestJet, Porter Airlines, Air Canada, Pacific Coastal, Central Mountain Air, Harbour Air among others.
Hope Air airline travel is available through over 35 commercial airports including those located in Prince Rupert, Terrace-Kitimat, Smithers, Prince George, Quesnel, Kamloops, Kelowna, Fort Nelson, Williams Lake, Campbell River, Comox, Bella Coola, Trail, Masset, Port Hardy, Williams Lake, Penticton, Victoria, Powell River, Nanaimo, Sechelt, Fort St. John, Castlegar among many others.
Hope Air also provides seasonal small aircraft services through our Volunteer Pilot Program for patients living far from commercial airports. In addition, Hope Air provides free accommodation, ground transportation from airport, and meal subsidies to support patient travel.
Hope Air airline travel is available through over 35 commercial airports including those located in Prince Rupert, Terrace-Kitimat, Smithers, Prince George, Quesnel, Kamloops, Kelowna, Fort Nelson, Williams Lake, Campbell River, Comox, Bella Coola, Trail, Masset, Port Hardy, Williams Lake, Penticton, Victoria, Powell River, Nanaimo, Sechelt, Fort St. John, Castlegar among many others.
Hope Air also provides seasonal small aircraft services through our Volunteer Pilot Program for patients living far from commercial airports. In addition, Hope Air provides free accommodation, ground transportation from airport, and meal subsidies to support patient travel.
What is the BC Cancer Travel Support Program?
This program provides cancer patients in need, living in rural, remote and smaller communities in British Columbia, with enhanced medical travel support programs, to reach diagnosis, treatment or care.
Does this program include an escort travelling with a patient?
Yes. Provided that patient qualifies for support, escorts are also supported with airline travel and hotel accommodation services.
How do I qualify?
Patients are eligible for support under this program provided that they are residents of British Columbia and need to travel long distances to reach cancer care. Patients must also have a confirmed medical appointment prior to completing an application for support. Patients must also disclose their gross annual household income for the previous year together with number of persons living in the household.
Do you provide travel support for patients not travelling for cancer care in BC?
Yes. Hope Air supports patients in need for other health conditions covered under their provincial plan. For more information, please see BC General Travel Support Program details below.
Does Hope Air provide private airflight services?
Hope Air operates a limited volunteer pilot program to assist patients living in more remote areas of the province. This program operates between the months of April-October each year, using smaller aircraft piloted by accredited Hope Air volunteer pilots. For more information on this program, please visit the Volunteer Pilot Program section on our Travel FAQ page or call us directly at 1.877.346.4673
Does Hope Air work with the Canadian Cancer Society?
Yes. Hope Air collaborates with the Canadian Cancer Society in supporting patients travelling for cancer care. The Canadian Cancer operates Cancer Lodges in select communities in British Columbia, including Vancouver, Kelowna, Prince George and Victoria. These lodges are available for Hope Air patients, subject to availability. The Canadian Cancer Society also operates a Travel Treatment Fund (TTF) that provides financial support for cancer patients relating to medical travel. Someone flying with Hope Air may have access to an additional air supplement. The application for that will be through the Canadian Cancer Society TTF form, on the form you will need to indicate that you are flying with Hope Air which will limit the amount you can receive from TTF.
Full details on these programs including eligibility and application process can be found at www.cancer.ca or by calling the Canadian Cancer Society at 1-888-939-3333 and pressing #3 for transportation services.
What if I am driving to my medical appointment? Can I receive support from Hope Air?
Hope Air support under this program is reserved for patients requiring travel by airline through Hope Air to reach their medical appointment.
Cancer patients travelling by car or other ground transportation to reach cancer care, and require accommodation, meals and other services, will be supported by the Canadian Cancer Society through their Lodges, Wheels of Hope and Travel Treatment Fund. You can find out more about these programs by contacting the Canadian Cancer Society directly at 1-888-939-3333 and press #3 for transportation or visit cancer.ca
How is this program funded?
Funding for The BC cancer travel support program is generously provided by the government of British Columbia together with corporate, foundation and individual donations.
This program provides cancer patients in need, living in rural, remote and smaller communities in British Columbia, with enhanced medical travel support programs, to reach diagnosis, treatment or care.
Does this program include an escort travelling with a patient?
Yes. Provided that patient qualifies for support, escorts are also supported with airline travel and hotel accommodation services.
How do I qualify?
Patients are eligible for support under this program provided that they are residents of British Columbia and need to travel long distances to reach cancer care. Patients must also have a confirmed medical appointment prior to completing an application for support. Patients must also disclose their gross annual household income for the previous year together with number of persons living in the household.
Do you provide travel support for patients not travelling for cancer care in BC?
Yes. Hope Air supports patients in need for other health conditions covered under their provincial plan. For more information, please see BC General Travel Support Program details below.
Does Hope Air provide private airflight services?
Hope Air operates a limited volunteer pilot program to assist patients living in more remote areas of the province. This program operates between the months of April-October each year, using smaller aircraft piloted by accredited Hope Air volunteer pilots. For more information on this program, please visit the Volunteer Pilot Program section on our Travel FAQ page or call us directly at 1.877.346.4673
Does Hope Air work with the Canadian Cancer Society?
Yes. Hope Air collaborates with the Canadian Cancer Society in supporting patients travelling for cancer care. The Canadian Cancer operates Cancer Lodges in select communities in British Columbia, including Vancouver, Kelowna, Prince George and Victoria. These lodges are available for Hope Air patients, subject to availability. The Canadian Cancer Society also operates a Travel Treatment Fund (TTF) that provides financial support for cancer patients relating to medical travel. Someone flying with Hope Air may have access to an additional air supplement. The application for that will be through the Canadian Cancer Society TTF form, on the form you will need to indicate that you are flying with Hope Air which will limit the amount you can receive from TTF.
Full details on these programs including eligibility and application process can be found at www.cancer.ca or by calling the Canadian Cancer Society at 1-888-939-3333 and pressing #3 for transportation services.
What if I am driving to my medical appointment? Can I receive support from Hope Air?
Hope Air support under this program is reserved for patients requiring travel by airline through Hope Air to reach their medical appointment.
Cancer patients travelling by car or other ground transportation to reach cancer care, and require accommodation, meals and other services, will be supported by the Canadian Cancer Society through their Lodges, Wheels of Hope and Travel Treatment Fund. You can find out more about these programs by contacting the Canadian Cancer Society directly at 1-888-939-3333 and press #3 for transportation or visit cancer.ca
How is this program funded?
Funding for The BC cancer travel support program is generously provided by the government of British Columbia together with corporate, foundation and individual donations.
How do I qualify?
Patients are eligible for support under this program provided that they are residents of British Columbia and need to travel long distances to reach medical care. Patients must also have a confirmed medical appointment prior to completing an application for support. Patients must also disclose their gross annual household income for the previous year together with number of persons living in the household.
Does this program include an escort travelling with a patient?
Yes. Provided that patient qualifies for support, one escort will be approved if requested by the patient or social worker and confirmed by the referring doctor. Escorts are supported with airline travel and hotel accommodation, sharing the same room. Escorts must be 19 years of age or older. Children will be automatically approved for one escort.
What are your eligibility criteria for free travel?
To be eligible to receive free travel services, you must:
- Be in financial need and have a confirmed medical appointment that is covered by your provincial healthcare plan
- Have a credit card for a security deposit upon check-in at the hotel
- Have a valid form of government ID for travel on commercial flights
What is the maximum number of accommodation nights?
Hope Air will offer up to 3 accommodation nights.
Where does Hope Air book my accommodations?
Hope Air has partnerships with select hotels in the cities where our patients travel. We will always try to book a convenient location near your treatment centre.
What is the value of my Uber Rides voucher and how can it be used?
The value of the Uber Rides voucher is $120.00 total for the patient/escort staying in a city for medical treatment. The voucher can be used for as many trips between airport and hospital, or hospital to accommodation and back, up to the maximum limit. The voucher would continue to be limited for use only on the days of medical travel/treatment.
What is the value of my taxi voucher?
Hope Air can provide vouchers for local taxi companies in Prince George and Kelowna instead of an Uber voucher. These vouchers can be used for trips between airport and hospital, or hospital to accommodation and back.
What is the value of the meal voucher that will be provided?
The value of the meal voucher is $50.00 per day, for each day of travel related to their medical care.
Does Hope Air provide private airflight services?
Hope Air operates a limited volunteer pilot program to assist patients living in more remote areas of the province. This program operates between the months of April-October each year, using smaller aircraft piloted by accredited Hope Air volunteer pilots. For more information on this program, please visit the Volunteer Pilot Program section on our Travel FAQ page or call us directly at 1.877.346.4673
What if I am driving to my medical appointment? Can I receive support from Hope Air?
Hope Air support under this program is reserved for patients requiring travel by airline through Hope Air to reach their medical appointment.
Prince Edward Island
In partnership with the PEI government and Health PEI, Hope Air provides the following services for eligible PEI residents: Bridge pass, ferry pass, gas card, flights, hotel accommodations, and meal vouchers.
Hope Air provides the following services for eligible PEI residents:
- Confederation Bridge Toll Pass
- Northumberland Ferry Pass
- Esso Gas Card for patients who receive the bridge or ferry pass
- Hotel Accommodations
- Flights
- Uber eats (offered to patients who are receiving a hotel stay through Hope Air)
How do I qualify?
PEI residents who have an out of province medical appointment which is confirmed and covered by Health PEI. Health PEI requires you to have an out of province approval letter (more information in “how do I apply for a bridge/ferry pass?”
How do I apply for a bridge/ferry pass?
You can submit a request on our website here. On the application, you’ll be asked to provide your out of province approval letter from Health PEI. If you do not have this letter to attach to your application, please contact Health PEI after you submit your request: 902-368-5918. This is a requirement of Health PEI before Hope Air can continue processing your application. Health PEI will email Hope Air with your approval letter directly, after you request your letter from them.
*If you are applying for hotel only (i.e. no bridge/ferry). You do not need an approval letter*
Once your request has been reviewed/approved, we need to process your request by confirming your appointment with your appointment Dr.’s office. Once we confirm your appointment, we’ll email you your documents.
How is the bridge/ferry pass received?
After your request has been approved and processed, your bridge pass will be emailed to you to either print or download onto your phone. Unlike the bridge pass, the ferry pass needs to be picked up in person, in Charlottetown. You will receive an email with the instructions on how/where to pick it up.
Do you offer gas mileage?
If you have applied for and been approved for a bridge or ferry pass with us, you will automatically receive the gas card along with your bridge pass/ferry email. It will be emailed for you to print or download. Gas cards are not provided on a standalone basis, or if you are requesting hotel only.
Do you offer hotel accommodation?
If you are scheduled for surgery in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, you may qualify for the Out-of-Province Liaison Program (OOPLP). This is not a Hope Air program and is offered through partnership between Health PEI and Nova Scotia Health Authority/Horizon Health. For more information on the OOPLP: www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/out-of-province-liaison-program
If you find out you are not covered through the above program, you can apply for accommodation on its own, or in addition to your bridge/ferry pass, on our online application.
How does your accommodations program work?
Hope Air offers up to a 5-night hotel stay for patients travelling alone/with their escorts to their medical appointments. The patient must be staying in the room. We do not cover the room for escort only. We only book one room, up to two beds. The patient or escort is required (as per hotel policy) to have a credit card to provide as a security deposit when they check in.
What hotels do you book?
Subject to availability and cost, we select hotels closest to the appointment medical facility.
Do you offer meals?
Patients eligible for our hotel program will receive an Uber Eats voucher in the amount of $40/night, up to two nights (i.e. $80 is the most one will receive). Meal vouchers are provided via the Uber Eats platform, in which patients will receive an email with instructions on how to redeem the voucher. A credit card is required to provide on the uber app.
What if I don’t have email?
You can indicate to have your documents emailed to your closest Access PEI location, and we will coordinate with you once your request has been processed, of when to pick them up.
PEI residents who have an out of province medical appointment which is confirmed and covered by Health PEI. Health PEI requires you to have an out of province approval letter (more information in “how do I apply for a bridge/ferry pass?”
How do I apply for a bridge/ferry pass?
You can submit a request on our website here. On the application, you’ll be asked to provide your out of province approval letter from Health PEI. If you do not have this letter to attach to your application, please contact Health PEI after you submit your request: 902-368-5918. This is a requirement of Health PEI before Hope Air can continue processing your application. Health PEI will email Hope Air with your approval letter directly, after you request your letter from them.
*If you are applying for hotel only (i.e. no bridge/ferry). You do not need an approval letter*
Once your request has been reviewed/approved, we need to process your request by confirming your appointment with your appointment Dr.’s office. Once we confirm your appointment, we’ll email you your documents.
How is the bridge/ferry pass received?
After your request has been approved and processed, your bridge pass will be emailed to you to either print or download onto your phone. Unlike the bridge pass, the ferry pass needs to be picked up in person, in Charlottetown. You will receive an email with the instructions on how/where to pick it up.
Do you offer gas mileage?
If you have applied for and been approved for a bridge or ferry pass with us, you will automatically receive the gas card along with your bridge pass/ferry email. It will be emailed for you to print or download. Gas cards are not provided on a standalone basis, or if you are requesting hotel only.
Do you offer hotel accommodation?
If you are scheduled for surgery in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, you may qualify for the Out-of-Province Liaison Program (OOPLP). This is not a Hope Air program and is offered through partnership between Health PEI and Nova Scotia Health Authority/Horizon Health. For more information on the OOPLP: www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/out-of-province-liaison-program
If you find out you are not covered through the above program, you can apply for accommodation on its own, or in addition to your bridge/ferry pass, on our online application.
How does your accommodations program work?
Hope Air offers up to a 5-night hotel stay for patients travelling alone/with their escorts to their medical appointments. The patient must be staying in the room. We do not cover the room for escort only. We only book one room, up to two beds. The patient or escort is required (as per hotel policy) to have a credit card to provide as a security deposit when they check in.
What hotels do you book?
Subject to availability and cost, we select hotels closest to the appointment medical facility.
Do you offer meals?
Patients eligible for our hotel program will receive an Uber Eats voucher in the amount of $40/night, up to two nights (i.e. $80 is the most one will receive). Meal vouchers are provided via the Uber Eats platform, in which patients will receive an email with instructions on how to redeem the voucher. A credit card is required to provide on the uber app.
What if I don’t have email?
You can indicate to have your documents emailed to your closest Access PEI location, and we will coordinate with you once your request has been processed, of when to pick them up.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Hope Air provides medical travel support for patients living in rural, remote and smaller communities for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Eligibility for Hope Air programs can be found HERE.
Patients who reside in the Labrador/Grenfell health zone are now eligible for enhanced medical travel support through the Medical Travel Assistance Program (MTAP). The MTAP program, provided by the government of Newfoundland & Labrador, includes a new In-Province Flight Voucher Program with PAL airlines, and out of province prepayment options for airfares.
Residents in the Labrador/Grenfell health zone are encouraged to make application to the MTAP program for support. More information on the MTAP program can be found online at: https://www.gov.nl.ca/exec/las/medical-transportation-assistance-program-mtap/ or by calling the MTAP office at 1-877-475-2412
Hope Air programs are generously supported through funding provided by the government of Newfoundland & Labrador and through the generous support of Corporate, Foundation and Individual donors.
Saskatchewan
Through the generous support of Donors and the government of Saskatchewan, Hope Air provides comprehensive free travel support for residents in need who must travel long distance to reach medical care. Program support includes both inter-province and out of province travel. For more information on services and eligibility, please click HERE.
Alberta
Through the generous support of Donors and the government of Alberta, Hope Air provides comprehensive free travel support for residents in need who must travel long distance to reach medical care. Program support includes both inter-province and out of province travel. For more information on services and eligibility, please click HERE.
Nova Scotia
Through the generous support of Donors and the government of Nova Scotia, Hope Air provides comprehensive free travel support for residents in need who must travel long distance to reach medical care. Program support includes both inter-province and out of province travel. For more information on services and eligibility, please click HERE.