Canadians are proud of their universal health-care system, but new data shows the system is expensive and slow, leaving many people waiting months for treatment while spending a lot of money.
Health Care Costs Are High, but Access Is Poor
Canada spends a large share of its economy on health care, more than most other rich countries with universal systems. In 2023, Canada was third highest out of 31 countries in total health spending as a share of its economy after adjusting for population age.
Yet this big spending doesn’t seem to buy fast access or better care. Canada has fewer doctors and hospital beds than many of its peers, and it ranks low on key measures of access to medical services.
Wait Times Are Among the Longest
Long waits are one of the biggest problems. In 2023/2024 data, about 65 percent of patients waited more than one month to see a specialist, and 58 percent waited two months or more for non-emergency surgery, the worst result among nine comparable health-care countries in some surveys.
This means many people wait far longer than in countries like the Netherlands, where only about 20 percent waited two months or more for elective surgery.
Doctors and equipment are also limited. Canada ranked 27th out of 30 countries for doctors per person and low for MRI and CT scanners, important tools for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Patients Pay in Other Ways Too
Waiting for care also has hidden costs. A study found millions of weeks of lost work and wages because patients wait so long for treatment. Many workers lose income and productivity while waiting for medically necessary procedures.
These delays add stress and can affect quality of life, especially for people who need surgery or specialist care quickly.
Lessons From Other Countries
Some countries with strong universal health care also allow more private services alongside public care. Switzerland, for example, spends a similar share of its economy but has better access to doctors and shorter wait times than Canada.
Proponents of mixed systems say giving patients more options, including private care in certain areas, can help reduce queues. Critics argue the focus should instead be on improving public services and resources.
Canada’s health care costs a lot, but long waits and limited access remain major issues. Experts say improving medical resources, reducing wait times, and learning from better-performing systems could help Canadians get more value from their health care.
