Canada’s universal healthcare is challenged by overcrowded hospitals, long waits, and preventable deaths. Business leader Op-ed argues Canada’s health system is failing, citing long waits, ER overcrowding, and calling for reforms to allow private options alongside public care.
Concerns over wait times in Canada’s public health system are growing, as recent reports highlight overcrowded emergency rooms and delays in access to critical procedures. A May 2025 study found some ERs operating at more than 200 per cent capacity, forcing patients into hallways and prompting over 1.3 million Canadians to leave without being treated in 2023.
The delays extend beyond emergency departments. Research by the think tank Second Street estimated that 15,474 Canadians died in 2023–24 while waiting for diagnostic scans or surgeries. Because not all provinces release complete data, the group suggested the true figure may be closer to 28,000. International comparisons reinforce the picture: Canada ranked last among 31 high-income nations for timely access in a Commonwealth Fund survey.
Critics say these outcomes reflect structural issues in the system rather than funding alone. They argue that the Canada Health Act, which restricts private delivery of care, has contributed to rationing and long queues. Supporters of reform point to countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, where private and public care operate side by side, as models that help reduce waits and improve patient access.
