“British Columbians are being forced to wait for months – sometimes over a year – for medically necessary care. After seven years of NDP mismanagement, our health system is failing patients at every stage.”

– Anna Kindy, MLA for North Island, Critic for Health

VICTORIA, BC: National wait-time data confirms British Columbians are waiting longer than ever for critical medical care. The 2025 Fraser Institute report shows the average BC wait time from GP referral to treatment is 32.2 weeks. That is over triple the 10.4-week wait in 1993 and far above the province’s own wait time guidelines.

Statement from Anna Kindy, MLA for North Island and Conservative Health Critic:

“British Columbians are being forced to wait for months – sometimes over a year – for medically necessary care. After seven years of NDP mismanagement, our health system continues to deteriorate and is failing patients at every stage.

Last year, the wait to see a specialist ballooned from 15 to 19.7 weeks. Orthopaedic patients are now waiting over a year, on average 53.7 weeks, from referral to surgery. MRI waits have doubled to 24 weeks. Even cancer patients face the longest radiation oncology waits nationwide. Such outcomes are unacceptable in a province like BC. When patients wait, they not only suffer but get worse or even die waiting for timely care.

Patients are so desperate 2.9% of British Columbians sought care outside the country last year, including 7% of radiation oncology patients. Mental healthcare is equally dire: An average 24-week wait for treatment, and an appalling 76-week wait to access psychiatric-supported housing, nearly 20 times the reasonable benchmark.

Conservatives will restore transparency and accountability in our healthcare system. That is the only way to start expanding capacity, and ensure patients receive timely care. British Columbians deserve a healthcare system that works. Not one that forces them to suffer through some of the longest waits in all of Canada.”

-30-

Media Contact:
Robert Eales, Communications Officer
Robert.Eales@leg.bc.ca
+1 (778) 967-2818