More than 105,000 Canadians sought medical care outside the country in 2025
Canadians are increasingly seeking healthcare solutions outside of Canada as long wait times continue to impact patients.
According to Leaving Canada for Medical Care, 2025, by the Fraser Institute, an estimated 105,529 Canadians travelled abroad last year to pay for non-emergency medical treatment.
The analysis by senior policy analyst Mackenzie Moir, health policy director Nadeem Esmail, and senior fellow Yanick Labrie, uses national physician surveys and procedure data and suggests long wait times within Canada’s universal healthcare system are a key driver.
Last year’s median wait between doctor referral and treatment was 28.6 weeks, the second-longest ever recorded.
The most common procedures sought abroad included general surgery (about 10,320 patients), urology (12,697), internal medicine procedures such as colonoscopies and angiographies (8,304), and ophthalmology treatments (6,482).
Province-by-province data showed Ontario had the largest number of residents leave the country (26,513) for care, with British Columbia having the highest proportion relative to its population.
The authors argue that many Canadians are choosing or feel compelled to pay out of pocket for care outside the country because timely care isn’t available at home.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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