Canadians have had plenty to say about health care this week — and a string of new surveys have given us a clearer look at what they really think about the system.
A new survey found that two-thirds of Canadians think that health care in their province is in a state of crisis — with physician shortages and long wait times among the biggest concerns, according to the National Post. So, are we really in a state of crisis?
CIHI reported in June that thousands of sick and injured Canadians are spending 48 hours or more waiting in packed emergency departments. While 180,000 Canadians spent at least two days waiting for a hospital bed or operating room in 2024-25, 1.2 million left without ever seeing a doctor.
All of this has left 91 per cent of Canadians concerned about public health care. Yet only 11 per cent are interested in purchasing private insurance for medically necessary services outside the public system.
Despite widespread concern that Canada's health care system is in crisis, the same Abacus Data survey found that most Canadians remain opposed to privatization —particularly when it comes to Alberta's approach.
The Hill Times reports that Alberta's Bill 11 allows some doctors in the province to provide both public care and private care. Nearly 30 per cent of Canadians strongly oppose this bill, while 74 per cent are concerned that similar policies could be adopted elsewhere in Canada. Only 7 per cent support it.
That said, Canadians outside of Alberta don't seem to know much about the bill. At the time of the survey, only 33 per cent of Canadians heard about the legislation, compared to 70 per cent of Albertans.
Another survey in Ontario found that the number of youth experiencing psychological distress has dropped back to pre-COVID levels, according to the Toronto Star.
In 2025, 46 per cent of students in grades 7 to 12 reported moderate to serious psychological distress, down from 51 per cent in 2023. That’s an improvement — but it still means nearly half of Ontario students are struggling.
While students are becoming increasingly aware of how to access school-based mental health support services, only 14 per cent of students are actually using those services.
Moderna and Merck say their experimental mRNA melanoma vaccine showed promising results in a late-stage trial, reducing the chances of the cancer returning or spreading.
CBC reports that the Phase 3 trial is ongoing, so doctors are cautious but optimistic. If results hold up, the treatment could eventually offer a new option for the 11,300 Canadians who are likely to be diagnosed with melanoma this year.
The treatment is personalized to each patient’s tumour, using mRNA vaccine technology and immunotherapy to train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
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