Free healthcare for everyone
Canada scores well with Medicare, its universal healthcare system—more or less modeled on the British NHS (National Health Service). While the principle is commendable, the implementation leaves much to be desired, especially over the last ten years.
The system is struggling under financial pressure and a shortage of skilled workers. There are long waiting lists for many procedures, effectively increasing the pressure on patients and staff.
It's also striking that many medical procedures remain uncovered. This varies, more or less, from province to province. Dental care, medication, and mental health services are often not covered. Even ambulances sometimes require you to pay out-of-pocket.
A waiting list for the GP and a hospital that is suddenly closed for a weekend.
And more of that kind of stuff.
Millions of Canadians don't have a family doctor. Those who move are screwed. Those who immigrate can't find a doctor. But even if you do have a family doctor and they retire, there's simply no one else to take over.
There are some day clinics, but they are generally full as soon as they open their doors.
The emergency department at the hospital cannot cope with the pressure and sometimes keeps patients waiting for 12 hours.
Many emergency services remain unmanned and simply have to close down for a while.
Specialist help is usually a long time coming. Even an initial consultation with a specialist can take months or even years.
Even relatively simple procedures like MRI scans are being rationed. There's a severe shortage of equipment, as well as skilled personnel. Wait times can be months, or even longer if the issue isn't urgent.
Anyone who needs surgery is put on a waiting list. It can take years before your turn comes.
Mopping with the tap open
Attracting skilled workers from abroad
While Canada is already trying to attract trained nurses, doctors and other professionals from other countries (for example, the Philippines), far too few study places are being made available to ever solve the shortage locally.
It is more cost-effective to hire already trained professionals than to develop expensive training courses yourself.
It's notable that quite a few Canadian doctors and nurses are now moving to other countries (particularly the US). They can earn more there, and the workload is lighter.
Many professionals are put off by Canada's old and dirty hospitals. Read more about it here (link).