Average time for a patient from referral by a general practitioner to a specialist and from there to the start of treatment was 28.6 weeks.<\/p>\n
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Published Mar 10, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 1\u00a0day ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s long wait times for medical treatment<\/a> last year cost almost 1.4 million Canadians $4.2 billion \u2014 an average of $3,043 per patient \u2014 because of lost hours of work and reduced productivity, according to a new study by the Fraser Institute.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The report by the fiscally conservative think tank, \u201cThe Private Cost of Public Queues for Medically Necessary Care,\u201d reported the average wait time for a patient from referral by a general practitioner to a specialist and from there to the start of treatment was 28.6 weeks in 2025.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n These costs are slightly down from 2024, when 1.5 million patients paid a total of $5.2 billion out-of-pocket \u2014 or an average of $3,364 per patient in lost wages and productivity \u2014 while waiting 30 weeks from the time they were referred to a specialist by a general practitioner, to when treatment actually began.<\/p>\n But this year\u2019s report noted all of its estimates are conservative because they only include work-related costs to the patient waiting for treatment, not their reduced quality of life, increased risk of death or complications resulting from delayed treatment, or costs borne by family members caring for a patient waiting for medical care.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cValuing all hours of the week, including evenings and weekends but excluding eight hours of sleep per night would increase the estimated cost of waiting to $12.9 billion or $9,336 per patient,\u201d according to the report.<\/p>\n International studies show Canada lagging on wait times<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0415-sm-a1-sah-recruit.SM_-e1773080104102.jpg\")
Canada\u2019s long wait times for medical treatment last year cost almost 1.4 million Canadians $4.2 billion \u2014 an average of $3,043 per patient \u2014 because of lost hours of work and reduced productivity, according to a new study by the Fraser Institute. Photo by Postmedia Network filesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.7.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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