Canadians Increasingly Seek Cross-Border Healthcare as Domestic Wait Times Persist

The persistent challenge of timely healthcare access within Canada is driving a significant number of its citizens to seek medical treatment abroad. New analysis from the Fraser Institute indicates that over 105,000 Canadians pursued non-emergency medical interventions outside the country in 2025, highlighting a substantial demand for cross-border healthcare options. This trend offers critical insights into the state of Canada's health system and the expanding landscape of medical tourism.

The Growing Trend of Cross-Border Healthcare

Patients traveling for medical reasons often cite several motivations, including the inability to secure prompt, quality care domestically. Some individuals are directed by the public health system to international healthcare destinations due to a scarcity of resources or the unavailability of specific procedures and equipment within their home jurisdictions. Others proactively choose patient travel abroad, driven by concerns over the quality of care, a desire for access to advanced medical facilities, state-of-the-art medical technologies, or the pursuit of potentially better health outcomes. Furthermore, many aim to circumvent the adverse consequences associated with prolonged waiting periods, such as disease progression, diminished treatment efficacy, permanent disability, or even mortality, as noted by Esmail (2009), Barua et al. (2013), and Day (2013). A quicker return to normal life is also a strong motivator for these international patients.

Estimating International Patient Travel

To quantify the scope of Canadians engaging in medical tourism, researchers at the Fraser Institute employ a consistent methodology, leveraging data from their annual “Waiting Your Turn” survey alongside procedure counts from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The survey questions physicians across 12 key medical specialties about the percentage of their patients who received non-emergency treatment outside Canada in the preceding year.

In 2025, an estimated 2.1 percent of patients nationwide received non-emergency medical care internationally. Provincial variations were evident, with Alberta reporting the highest proportion at 3.0 percent, while Newfoundland and Labrador registered the lowest at 0.8 percent. Among specialties, urologists noted the highest proportion of patients undertaking cross-border healthcare at 3.7 percent, contrasting with cardiovascular surgery, which saw the lowest at 0.9 percent. By combining these percentages with the volume of procedures performed domestically, an estimate of Canadians seeking treatment abroad is derived.

Underlying Factors Driving International Patients

The estimated 105,529 Canadians who received treatment outside the country in 2025 represent a considerable segment whose medical needs could not be met within Canada's public system in a timely manner. For instance, approximately 10,320 Canadians traveled for general surgery, while about 477 sought radiation oncology treatment internationally.

A primary driver for this patient travel is the extended waiting times pervasive in Canada’s healthcare system. In 2025, patients faced an average wait of 13.3 weeks for medically necessary treatment following a specialist consultation. This duration significantly exceeds the 8.8 weeks physicians consider clinically reasonable and does not even account for the initial 15.3-week wait to see a specialist. Such delays can lead to deteriorating health conditions, inferior post-treatment results, and other severe health complications (Esmail, 2009; Barua et al., 2013; Day, 2013), compelling many to explore international options for faster, potentially higher quality of care. Concerns about the quality of care and seeking advanced facilities, as identified by Walker et al. (2009), also contribute to the decision to become international patients.

Bottom Line

The substantial number of Canadians seeking medical treatment beyond national borders underscores persistent challenges within the domestic healthcare system. This trend signifies a growing reliance on medical tourism to address unmet demand, access specialized care, or mitigate the risks associated with prolonged waiting lists.

1. Significant Outflow: Over 105,000 Canadians pursued non-emergency medical treatment abroad in 2025, indicating a notable migration of patients for care.

2. Wait Times as a Catalyst: Extended wait times for specialist consultations and subsequent treatment are a critical factor, often exceeding what medical professionals deem acceptable.

3. Quality and Access Drivers: Patients are motivated by a desire for quicker access, concerns about quality of care, and the pursuit of advanced medical technologies or better outcomes found in other healthcare destinations.

4. Implications for Policy: The ongoing need for cross-border healthcare highlights systemic gaps in resource availability and timely service provision within Canada.

Read the full article here: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/commentary/significant-number-canadians-travel-abroad-pay-health-care