Does a power of attorney for personal care work if I am injured while travelling outside Ontario?

An Ontario power of attorney for personal care may not be automatically recognized in other provinces, countries, or jurisdictions — each place has its own rules about who can make health care decisions for an incapacitated person and what documents authorize them to do so.

Within Canada, most provinces have similar frameworks and will likely give weight to an Ontario personal care document, particularly if the attorney presents it clearly and works with the local health care team. There is no guarantee, but in practice Canadian health care providers generally cooperate with documented substitute decision-makers from other provinces.

Outside Canada, the situation is more uncertain. Many countries do not recognize Canadian powers of attorney at all, and health care decisions may be governed by local law, hospital policy, or in extreme cases by the Canadian consulate. If you travel internationally frequently or for extended periods, it may be worth speaking with a lawyer about whether additional documentation — such as a letter from your physician describing your substitute decision-maker — could help in an emergency.

In all cases, having a copy of your power of attorney for personal care readily accessible while travelling (digitally or in paper) is a practical step. Telling a travel companion who your attorney is, and ensuring they have your attorney's contact information, is equally important. Speedy notification of your attorney is what makes the system work in an emergency.