Over 23,000 Canadians Died Waiting for Medical Care in 2024

A recent report has uncovered that more than 23,746 Canadians lost their lives while waiting for surgeries or diagnostic scans in the past year, highlighting a critical health-care crisis in the country. Conducted by SecondStreet.org, a non-profit think tank focused on government policies, the analysis covers the period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. This figure reflects a concerning three percent increase in waitlist-related deaths compared to prior years and underscores the prolonged suffering of patients awaiting necessary medical care.

The report reveals that patients are enduring waits that can range from less than a week to nearly nine years. Since April 2018, a staggering 100,876 Canadians have died while on waiting lists for medical attention, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the current health-care system. The report states, “The situation is unacceptable and unbecoming for a developed nation,” stressing the need for accountability regarding these deaths.

System in Crisis

While the numbers are alarming, the true scale of the crisis may be even greater, as the data does not include figures from Alberta and parts of Manitoba. Additionally, it does not account for patients who died while waiting for specialist appointments. According to information obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, almost six million Canadians are currently on waiting lists.

The length of these waits has increased dramatically; in 1993, the average wait time to see a specialist was just 9.3 weeks, while by 2024, that average had ballooned to 30 weeks. In contrast, countries with universal public health care, such as Sweden, France, and Japan, do not experience this phenomenon, as deaths on waiting lists remain a foreign concept there.

Patients who died while awaiting procedures were on the list for various life-saving operations, including heart surgeries and cancer treatments. However, the report notes that many of these deaths were linked to procedures that could have significantly improved quality of life, rather than being strictly life-saving.

Urgent Need for Reform

While the report suggests that it would be inappropriate to assign blame solely to the government for these fatalities, it emphasizes that the documented suffering of patients indicates a system in distress. The authors argue that immediate reform is essential to address these issues.

To tackle the crisis, the report outlines several recommendations. First, it calls for increased transparency in tracking and reporting waitlist deaths annually. It proposes an “activity-based funding” model, where hospitals receive funding based on the number of patients they treat.

Additionally, the report suggests that the government consider partnerships with the private sector for publicly funded procedures, a strategy that has reportedly reduced costs and wait times in Saskatchewan and Ontario. Another potential solution could involve reimbursing patients who travel abroad for medical procedures, aligning with practices seen in the European Union.

The report warns that without significant reform measures, Canadians should expect the waitlist crisis to persist in the coming years. The findings serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life in the health-care system.