My children & I are returning to Ottawa, Ontario next year - we are all Canadian citizens & will be residents for at least a year. Are we able to get a health care card right away? Are there any recipricol rights with Australian medicare that can tide us over?

If you resided in Ontario before you left, then when you return you are automatically covered and your old health cards still apply. Once you have an OHIP number you have it for life.

The are no reciprocal rights with Australia medicare.