Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained by independent researchers shows that thousands of British Columbians have died while still on waitlists for diagnostic imaging (such as PET scans, CT, MRI, and X‑rays) or surgeries they never received. These are not abstract statistics—they represent real patients who were in the system, waiting.
In the Interior Health region alone (Kelowna and surrounding communities), FOI data show:
This is just one health authority—province‑wide totals are significantly higher.
FOI‑based reports indicate that, in recent years, several thousand British Columbians per year have died while on waitlists for:
These figures include both potentially life‑saving procedures and tests that could have improved quality of life or guided earlier treatment decisions.
Nationally, FOI data show that in a single recent fiscal year, over 15,000 Canadians died while waiting for surgeries or diagnostic scans. When researchers project for provinces that refuse to release full data, the estimate rises to tens of thousands of deaths across Canada in just a few years.
British Columbia is not the only province where patients die on waitlists—but it is one of the provinces where at least some data can be pried loose through FOI requests. Other major provinces, including Quebec, Alberta, and parts of Manitoba and Newfoundland & Labrador, have refused to provide complete wait‑list death figures or have released only partial data.
When governments withhold basic information about how many patients die before receiving care, it becomes impossible for the public to fully understand the human cost of current policies.
Independent analysts warn that, without major reform, wait‑list deaths are likely to increase.
Put simply: if nothing changes, more British Columbians will die waiting for tests and treatments that were ordered but never delivered in time.
The figures and statements on this page are based on publicly reported information, including:
Exact numbers may vary slightly between reports and fiscal years, but the overall pattern is consistent: large and growing numbers of patients are dying while still on waitlists.
This page is for general information and public discussion only. It is not medical advice, legal advice, or financial advice. The statistics presented here are drawn from third‑party sources (including FOI responses and media reports) that may contain errors, omissions, or updates that are not reflected in this summary.
No guarantee is made as to the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information. Any opinions expressed about health‑care policy, government transparency, or future projections are interpretive in nature and should not be taken as statements of fact about any individual case.
If you have concerns about your own health or access to care, you should consult a qualified health‑care professional and, where appropriate, seek independent legal or advocacy support.