Wait Times

All Canadians have access to emergency care when they need it, but some people do face longer than desirable waits for non-urgent services in Canada. Governments have collectively recognized the problem and in recent years have made significant progress in shortening wait times in priority areas (including non-emergency hip and knee, cataract surgery, cardiac surgeries, diagnostic imaging and cancer care).

Federal Wait Times Initiatives and Resources

Patient Wait Time Guarantees

10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care: Reducing Wait Times (2004)

Final Report of Federal Advisor on Wait Times

National Wait Times Initiative

Key Resources on Wait Times and Reporting

Provincial/Territorial wait times initiatives and reporting

Canadian Institute of Health Information – Wait Times Reporting

Additional Wait Times Resources

•  Canadian Institutes of Health Research (e.g. CIHR Helps Address Health Care Wait Times)
•  Health Council of Canada (e.g. Progress Report 2011: Health care renewal in Canada)
•  OECD (e.g. Health at a Glance, Measuring Disparities in Health Status and in Access and Use of Health Care in OECD Countries)
•  Taming of the Queue conference series (e.g. annual conference summary reports)
•  The Health Evidence Network of Canada (e.g. Waiting for Care)
•  The Commonwealth Fund (e.g. International Health Policy Survey)
•  Wait Time Alliance (e.g. WTA annual Report Cards)