February 6, 2025
Dr. Rupert told True North that governments need to find the sweet spot when it comes to a mixed public and private healthcare system that plays on the strength of both models.

Nearly 75,000 Canadians died on healthcare wait lists since 2018, more to come: report

A think tank is calling on governments to act immediately as a shocking number of Canadians died waiting for healthcare in 2024.

At least 15,474 Canadians died last year while waiting for healthcare, but the actual number is probably double, a new study shows.

According to SecondStreet.Org, when the jurisdictions that provide no data are accounted for, the actual number of Canadians who died on wait lists is likely closer to 28,077.

The 15,474 Canadians who died while waiting for healthcare do not include those from Quebec, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and most of Manitoba. Additionally, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia only provided data on those who died waiting for surgeries, not diagnostic scans.

“These figures cover everything from cancer treatment and heart operations to cataract surgery and MRI scans,” reads SecondStreet.org’s release.

Since Apr. 2018, SecondStreet confirmed that 74,677 Canadians died while waiting for healthcare.

The organization said that patients died from waiting less than a week for treatment for up to over 14 years.

According to former physician and CEO of RCM Health Dr. Raymond Rupert, Canada’s healthcare system is not set up in such a way that it can meet current capacity needs.

“The system itself appears designed to limit growth and capacity, creating bottlenecks that worsen wait times. We’re seeing a concerning trend where fewer doctors are entering family practice, while existing physicians are taking on smaller patient loads due to burnout and administrative overload. All of this creates a perfect storm that leads to devastating wait times,” Dr. Rupert told True North.

Legislative and Policy Director of SecondStreet.org, Harrison Fleming, said that thousands of Canadians find themselves on waitlists nationwide, oftentimes for several years, with too many dying before ever seeing a doctor.

“Canadians pay really high taxes, and yet our healthcare system is failing when compared to better-performing universal systems in Europe,” said Fleming.

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BTDT
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BTDT
January 20, 2025 10:34 am

Why doesn’t the Canadian government send people out to the top 5 countries in the world who’s health care systems far surpass ours? Study what makes them better and copy them here? We’re not stealing state secrets, just seeking better health care. I’m confident they would happily share. Why is (what seems like) simple common sense so alien to our politicians? Maybe not enough socialism in those systems for our liking?

Last edited 17 days ago by BTDT