Fraser Institute News Release: Medical wait times cost Canadian patients almost $5.2 billion in lost wages last year
VANCOUVER, BC, May 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Long waits for surgery and medical treatment cost Canadians almost $5.2 billion in lost wages and productivity last year, finds a new study released by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.
An estimated 1.5 million patients waited for medically necessary treatment last year, and each lost an estimated $3,364 (on average) due to lost wages and reduced productivity during working hours.
"Waiting for medically necessary treatment remains a hallmark of the Canadian health-care system, and in addition to increased pain and suffering—and potentially worse medical outcomes—these long waits also cost Canadians time at work and with family and friends," said Nadeem Esmail, a senior fellow with the Fraser Institute.
The study, The Private Cost of Public Queues for Medically Necessary Care, 2025, draws upon data from the Fraser Institute's annual Waiting Your Turn survey of Canadian physicians who, in 2024, reported the national median waiting time from specialist appointment to treatment was 15 weeks.
Crucially, the $5.2 billion in lost wages is likely a conservative estimate because it doesn't account for the additional 15 week wait to see a specialist after receiving a referral from a general practitioner.
Taken together, the total median wait time in Canada for medical treatment was 30 weeks in 2024.
"As long as lengthy wait times define Canada's health-care system, patients will continue to pay a price in lost wages and reduced quality of life," said Esmail.
Because wait times and incomes vary by province, so does the cost of waiting for health care. Residents of Prince Edward Island in 2024 faced the highest per-patient cost of waiting ($6,592), followed by New Brunswick ($6,210) and Quebec ($4,261).
Average value of time lost during the work week in 2024 for patients waiting for medically necessary treatment (by province):
Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter, Like us on Facebook
About The Fraser Institute
The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institute's independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org
SOURCE The Fraser Institute
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
New Book Addresses Mental Health Crisis Among Men with Honest, Practical Approach
"Mental Health for Men: Daily Reminders to Stop Being So Hard On Yourself" Offers Real Solutions for Modern Masculine Challenges VANCOUVER, BC, June 11, 2025 /CNW/ - Author James R.C. Smith releases his groundbreaking new book, " Mental Health for Men: Daily Reminders to Stop Being So Hard on Yourself," addressing the largely overlooked mental health crisis affecting millions of men worldwide. Available now on Amazon, this 86-page fillable journal and handbook offers a no-nonsense approach to male mental wellness that breaks through traditional barriers and outdated expectations. The Silent Struggle The statistics are sobering: nearly one in three men experience moderate to high anxiety, and one in five face depression, yet men remain the demographic least likely to seek help or discuss their mental health openly. Smith's book directly confronts this crisis, offering practical tools and honest insights for men exhausted by society's impossible standards. "We've been handed an outdated manual that tells us never to show weakness, figure it out ourselves, and just 'man up,'" says Smith. "But how's that working out for us? The strongest thing you can do as a man is ask for help. Just because you CAN do it alone doesn't mean you SHOULD." A Different Kind of Self-Help Unlike traditional self-help books that promise transformation into a "zen master," Smith's approach is refreshingly realistic. The book acknowledges the unique challenges modern men face—from remote work pressures to digital parenting demands, constant connectivity, and the impossible expectation to be both traditionally masculine and emotionally available. The handbook includes: Research-backed strategies that fit into busy lifestyles Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques presented in accessible language Permission-giving exercises for imperfection in work, parenting, and relationships Practical guidance on asking for help without feeling like a failure Honest reflection exercises from someone who's "been there" Breaking the Stigma "Your mental health isn't a luxury—it's essential," Smith emphasizes. "And taking care of it isn't soft—it's as crucial as changing your oil, eating your veggies, or getting enough sleep." The book's direct, unfiltered tone resonates with men who are tired of being told to suppress their struggles while simultaneously being expected to be emotionally available. Smith's approach combines vulnerability with practicality, offering tools that actually work for real men living real lives. About the Author brings personal experience and research-backed insights to the conversation about men's mental health. Writing from the perspective of someone who has faced the same challenges as his readers, Smith offers authentic guidance rather than distant expertise. Availability "Mental Health for Men: Daily Reminders to Stop Being So Hard on Yourself" is available now on Amazon in hardcover format. The book features 86 pages of practical content designed for busy men who need real solutions, not empty promises. Book Details: Title: Mental Health for Men: Daily Reminders to Stop Being So Hard On Yourself Author: James R.C. Smith Publisher: IngramSpark Publication Date: June 6, 2025 Format: Hardcover, 86 pages ISBN-13: 978-1069562708 Available: Amazon and other major retailers
Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
Cost of living has half of Canadian pet owners skipping vet visits: survey
Half of Canadian pet owners are skipping visits to the veterinarian's office because of financial concerns, a new survey shows. According to a survey conducted by PetSmart Charities of Canada and Gallup, half (50 per cent) of Canadian pet parents have either skipped or declined necessary veterinary care for their pets. Financial pressure was the leading cause of people skipping the vet's office, the survey of 2,033 dog and cat owners from the 10 provinces in Canada found. Of those who said they were declining or skipping those visits, 67 per cent said they did so because it was not affordable, they did not believe the services were worth the cost or a combination of both. 0:59 Global Okanagan Adopt A Pet: Diesel The rate of pet parents skipping the vet was higher among younger Canadians (59 per cent). Story continues below advertisement Even higher-income Canadians were facing financial pressures in dealing with pet care, with 27 per cent of pet owners who make more than $90,000 a year saying they have skipped vet visits. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Of the Canadians who declined pet care, 21 per cent said their veterinarian offered them a payment plan and 66 per cent said an interest-free plan could double what they are able to spend on life-saving care for their furry friends. Another major reason for Canadians skipping pet care is that their vet is simply too far away. Just under half (46 per cent) of those who travel under 10 kilometres to the veterinarian report skipping or declining care, but that figure rises to 54 per cent for those who travel more than 10 kilometres. 2:48 Global Peterborough's Shelter Pet Project June 6 Nearly one in five (18 per cent) pet owners said they rely on non-vets when their pet is sick. This includes consulting the internet, friends or pet professionals, such as trainers and groomers. Story continues below advertisement Four in 10 pet owners said they would be open to services like telemedicine or home visits by vets. 'These data suggest that services like community clinics and telemedicine — where permitted and available — could help make care more accessible, and many pet parents would use them if they could. But awareness and regulation of these services still vary across regions, pointing to opportunities for expanded infrastructure and support,' said Julie Ray, Gallup's managing editor for world news. A recent Ipsos poll showed that inflation and cost of living was the top issue for Canadians. That issue was considered the top domestic news story in Canada by 71 per cent of Canadians, according to the polling conducted exclusively for Global News on what people considered the biggest stories of this year. 4:44 Adopt a Pet: New Hope Dog Rescue fostering dogs for wildfire evacuees Results for the PetSmart Charities of Canada-Gallup State of Pet Care study are based on a combined web- and phone-based survey conducted with 2,033 dog and cat owners from the 10 provinces in Canada. Gallup surveyed 1,804 Canadian adults who indicated they currently owned at least one dog or cat via a web-based survey Nov. 28-Dec. 31, 2024. Gallup also surveyed an additional 229 dog and cat owners via a telephone survey Dec. 5-23, 2024, to reach pet owners who may not have access to the internet. For results based on the total sample of 2,033 Canadian dog and cat owners, the margin of sampling error is ±2.3 percentage points at the 95 per cent confidence level. Margins of error for subgroups are larger.
Cision Canada
4 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Cutting more than 40 front-line registered nurses at University Health Network will harm patient care, say nurses
TORONTO, June 11, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) is sounding the alarm as the University Health Network (UHN) cuts more than 40 registered nurses (RN) from front-line patient care, amidst an ongoing severe nursing shortage. In what UHN calls "system efficiency," RN cuts are happening on several units across Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital including its hemodialysis unit and coronary intensive care unit. UHN is rejigging its general internal medicine unit to make a 28-bed alternate level of care (ALC) unit, with only one RN onsite to support registered practical nurses and personal support workers. "These cuts will be catastrophic for patients. At a time when we desperately need more registered nurses, not fewer, UHN has made the decision to cut the expert care provided by front-line RNs," says Erin Ariss, RN, and ONA Provincial President. "While UHN claims this is to improve the model of care, I think we all know that this is really about dollars and cents. There is no scenario where fewer RNs means better or more timely care for patients." Ontario has the lowest number of RNs per capita in the country, requiring more than 25,000 RNs just to reach the national average. Adds Ariss: "We can expect more RNs to leave due to understaffing, impossible workloads and mental distress because they can't provide the care that they know patients need and deserve." "The Ford government must step up and fully fund our public health-care system so such foolish RN cuts can be avoided. Employers must stop trying to balance the books at the expense of the expert, front-line care Ontarians need." ONA is the union representing more than 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
