Wait times in Canada - a comparison by province, 2011.

Ten years ago, Canada trailed internationally on access to health services, with “long waiting times for the type of care needed” specifically identified. In 2004, first ministers responded to the issue in the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care and agreed to reduce wait times for five priority areas: cancer, heart, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement and sight restoration. In the plan, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) was asked to assess progress toward this goal. As a result, this is the sixth report providing an overview of wait times, which continue to be the focus of intense media coverage and public debate. While much has been accomplished in 10 years, access is still a challenge. In a recent survey of 11 countries, respondents from Canada were more likely than those in the other countries to list waits to see a doctor or nurse, difficulty getting after-hours care and waits for elective surgery as access challenges.