Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is facing sharp criticism over a social media campaign promoting Canada’s universal health care to potential newcomers, as the country grapples with record wait times and deepening pressure on hospitals and medical staff.

The digital post, published on X earlier this week, invited those “thinking about moving to Canada” to learn about the nation’s health-care system. The message linked to an IRCC webpage outlining provincial coverage for residents. Observers quickly noted the contrast between the upbeat tone of the ad and the mounting crisis inside Canadian hospitals. 

The Fraser Institute’s Waiting Your Turn 2024 report showed the median wait time from referral by a general practitioner to treatment reached 30 weeks last year — the longest in the survey’s history and more than triple the average from 1993. Lost wages and productivity related to these delays totalled roughly $5.2 billion, according to the think tank. 

At the same time, Ottawa has moved ahead with plans to invite nearly 18,000 Canadians to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency, a process expected to bring up to 10,000 elderly newcomers in 2025 alone. The government says the effort supports family reunification, but critics argue it risks deepening strain on a system already under severe stress.

Under current policy, family-sponsored seniors qualify for provincial health coverage after settling in Canada. With hospitals facing capacity limits, staffing shortages and extensive surgical delays, policy experts warn that welcoming thousands of older immigrants — many with higher medical needs — could further stretch resources.

In provinces like Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, wait times for orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures now exceed 50 weeks. Diagnostic imaging delays also continue to climb, with patients waiting an average of 16 weeks for MRI scans. 

The debate underscores a broader dilemma: balancing Canada’s humanitarian and family reunification goals with a health-care system struggling to meet demand. While IRCC’s ad highlighted access and equity, many Canadians questioned the timing — and whether Ottawa’s optimistic message reflects the reality experienced by patients across the country.

As wait times rise and the country’s population grows through both natural and planned immigration, the government faces increasing calls to reconcile its public messaging with the lived experience of those waiting for care.