January 15, 2025 from Second Street
A new report from SecondStreet.org has revealed a staggering number of patient deaths linked to long wait times for surgeries and diagnostic scans in Canada. In 2023-24 alone, at least 15,474 Canadians died while waiting for care—a number that is likely much higher due to incomplete data from several provinces.
Since 2018, nearly 75,000 Canadians have died while on waiting lists, highlighting the urgent need for health care reform in the country.
The Hidden Crisis of Health Care Waitlists
SecondStreet.org obtained these figures through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from provincial governments and health authorities. The report found:
- 15,474 recorded deaths of patients waiting for surgeries or diagnostic scans.
- Missing data from Quebec, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and most of Manitoba.
- Partial data from Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, which only included surgical waitlist deaths.
- Extrapolated estimates suggest the true number could be closer to 28,077 deaths nationwide.
- Ontario Health data revealed 378 cardiac patients died waiting for heart surgeries or procedures.
Shockingly, some patients waited anywhere from less than a week to over 14 years for treatment before dying.
A Lack of Transparency
Despite the severity of this issue, governments do not proactively disclose these waitlist-related deaths. SecondStreet.org President Colin Craig pointed out the contrast: “When a restaurant fails a health inspection, the government makes it public. But when tens of thousands of Canadians die waiting for health care, there’s no public disclosure.”
The report was inspired by cases like Laura Hillier, an 18-year-old Ontario patient who died waiting for cancer treatment. Without better tracking, transparency, and systemic reform, more Canadians will continue to face the same tragic fate.
The Call for Change
Legislative and Policy Director Harrison Fleming emphasized that Canada’s high-tax, publicly funded health care system is underperforming compared to European models. “Thousands of Canadians wait for years for treatment, only to die before ever being diagnosed or treated,” he said.
SecondStreet.org is calling on governments to track and report waitlist deaths with full transparency and initiate urgent reforms to improve patient access and reduce backlogs.They are also looking to hold the healthcare system accountable—just as they do with businesses and public safety violations.
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