Canada ranks near the bottom in OECD universal health care performance
A new Fraser Institute report ranks Canada 28th out of 30 high-income countries with universal health care. This comes as critics raise alarms over the federal government promoting the strained system
A new Fraser Institute report ranks Canada 28th out of 30 high-income countries with universal health care. This comes as critics raise alarms over the federal government promoting the strained system to prospective immigrants.
Despite being one of the highest spenders in the OECD, placing fifth in health spending as a share of GDP, Canada continues to underperform on access and outcomes.
The 2025 report shows Canada ranks 26th in physicians per 1,000 people, 25th in hospital beds and 29th in wait times for access to care. It also ranks last for timely access to elective surgeries and specialist appointments.
The report highlights Canada’s ongoing wait time crisis. The average time from referral to treatment has reached historic highs, with many patients waiting months for procedures such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and diagnostic imaging. The Fraser Institute has previously estimated billions in lost productivity due to delays in medically necessary care.
Concurrently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) faces criticism for promoting Canadian health care to potential migrants. A recent digital ad from the department invited migrants to “learn about health care in Canada,” linking to a government page outlining provincial coverage plans.
The ad was published as the health-care system continues to face pressure from staffing shortages, hospital backlogs and rising demand. According to the Fraser Institute, Canada has the fewest doctors and beds per capita among peer nations and performs poorly on wait times despite high spending.
Conservative MP Shuv Majumdar responded to the report on X, writing: “Canada spends among the most on healthcare in the developed world, yet ranks near the bottom for doctors, hospital beds, MRIs, and timely care. In Carney’s Canada, you pay more, wait longer, get less.”
The immigration department’s ad drew swift criticism, with opponents pointing to the contrast between the optimistic portrayal and the documented realities of the system. Critics also cited a 2018 policy change that loosened medical admissibility criteria, allowing more applicants with high-cost medical conditions to enter Canada.
The government has continued to expand family reunification programs and prioritize senior relatives of immigrants, further adding to the projected health system burden. Despite this, the IRCC’s online materials remain publicly accessible, outlining how newcomers can apply for provincial health coverage.
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Canada... Or what used to be Canada and the toilet flush are these days best of buddies.
Canada is at the bottom of a lot more than simple health care.
Pretty much everything has been or is in the process of being flushed down the drain.
For that... Thank the Liberals, NDP and faux CINO's (like in OntArWeOwe).