23,000 Canadians Died Waiting for Care It’s Time to Fix Our Health System

Last year, more than 23,000 Canadians lost their lives while waiting for medical care. That’s mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends who never made it because our healthcare system is under strain. And yes, Canada’s healthcare system is supposed to be free.

We all appreciate that relief the freedom to walk into a doctor’s office, get tests done, and not worry about a $30,000 bill or collections knocking at your door, or being turned away due to no health insurance as it is in the US. That’s priceless. But the truth is, “free” doesn’t mean “available.”

The biggest bottleneck? Shortages of doctors and nurses. Our hospitals are stretched thin. Clinics are overwhelmed. And the people who are supposed to save lives can barely keep up with demand. Meanwhile, Canadians are being forced to cross the border to the U.S., paying out-of-pocket for care that should have been accessible here. That’s dangerous and morally unacceptable.

Part of the solution is staring us in the face: foreign-trained doctors. Canada has the talent. People who are fully trained, experienced, and ready to work yet they face months, sometimes years, of certification hurdles before they can practice.

Streamlining this process would bring hundreds, even thousands, of doctors and nurses into the system where they’re desperately needed. Why make Canadians die waiting when there’s qualified help sitting on the sidelines?

We love our healthcare system because it protects us from financial ruin and gives us peace of mind. But that system is only valuable if it actually works. Free care should not mean “wait until it’s too late.”

Canadians deserve timely access to doctors, nurses, and specialists without being forced to go to the U.S. for urgent treatment.

It’s time for government policy to match the value we place on life. More doctors. More nurses. Faster certification for foreign-trained medical professionals. And a healthcare system that truly delivers on its promise: care for everyone, when they need it, without compromise.

Because no one should have to die while waiting for the care they were promised.