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4.5 Million Canadians Are Stuck Waiting for a Specialist, New Report Shows
A Statistics Canada study of middle-aged and older adults finds some patients waiting up to two years for referrals, with British Columbia reporting the worst delays
Published: July 19, 2026
A new Statistics Canada report has found that 4.5 million Canadians aged 45 and older have had trouble accessing specialist care, with some waiting more than a year just for a first appointment. The 2024 survey data, representative of 17.2 million Canadians in that age group, found 6.6 million people sought specialist care, most often for skin conditions, urological or gynecological issues, or orthopedic concerns. British Columbia reported the highest rates of difficulty, with a neurologist there estimating 1.2 million people in the province are currently waiting to see a specialist. Experts point to a shortage of family doctors, aging demographics and inefficient referral systems, including faxed paperwork that sometimes never arrives, as key drivers behind the delays. One Calgary woman in her seventies says she was told she could wait up to two years for a hip and knee consultation, forcing her to consider paying out of pocket. Physicians say the long waits are taking a measurable toll on patients' physical and mental health, with many experiencing worsening pain and rising anxiety while they wait for care.
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