A recent poll reveals that long wait times are causing approximately half of Canadians to refrain from seeking medical attention, either from doctors or hospitals. The survey was conducted by Léger and commissioned by several right-leaning think tanks, including the Montreal Economic Institute, SecondStreet.org, and the Canadian Constitution Foundation. This points to a growing concern about accessibility and efficiency within the Canadian healthcare system.
The poll, which took place from October 16 to October 19, 2026, surveyed an online panel of 1,510 Canadians. It highlighted that the fear of long wait times was particularly pronounced among specific demographics. The highest percentages of individuals avoiding consultations with doctors due to wait times were observed among women, people aged over 55, and residents of Quebec. These findings suggest that certain groups are more affected by systemic inefficiencies in healthcare delivery.
Interestingly, the data does not clarify whether the individuals who chose to avoid seeing a doctor opted for alternative services such as consulting nurses or visiting pharmacists instead. Moreover, it remains ambiguous if the respondents' avoidance of hospitals due to wait times was a recent development or a longer-standing issue. This lack of specificity complicates the understanding of the healthcare landscape as experienced by Canadians.
In addition to avoidance behavior, the survey found that just over a quarter of respondents reported having paid for private healthcare services to circumvent long wait times or dissatisfaction with public services. This raises questions about the equity and availability of care across different sectors of the healthcare system.
The survey results also revealed significant public sentiment regarding the possibility of dual systems of healthcare in Canada. Approximately 61% of respondents expressed support for the option to pay out of pocket or use insurance to access private care when timely treatment in the public system is not available. Conversely, around 25% of respondents opposed the coexistence of public and private health-care options, reflecting a division in opinions on how to improve the system.
Additionally, an overwhelming 84% of participants in the poll agreed that the healthcare system in their area requires change, indicating a widespread acknowledgment of the deficiencies within the current framework. These sentiments may serve as a catalyst for policy discussions and reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare services in Canada.
The Canadian Research Insights Council, the professional body for the polling industry, noted that online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error due to their non-random sampling methods. This highlights the complexities and limitations associated with interpreting survey data, particularly in the context of public opinion on critical issues like healthcare.
