Chronic Underinvestment in Medical Imaging is Stalling Canada's Economic Growth and Compromising Health Outcomes

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 19, 2026 /CNW/ -- Modernizing Canada's medical imaging fleet is one of the highest-yield investments the federal government can make to unlock economic capacity and address  a $64 billion GDP loss in GDP caused by healthcare delays.

A striking report from Deloitte and the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) underscores how years of oversight have led to widespread congestion in the healthcare system, which continues to hinder Canada's economic development and put Canadians' health and wellbeing at risk.

Patients in Canada are forced to wait an average of 84 days for an MRI and 66 days for a CT scan – lagging weeks behind most OECD countries. Across Canada, prolonged wait times for MRI, CT, ultrasound, and other medical imaging services are delaying diagnosis and treatment for millions of Canadians.

"Radiology is the gateway to modern healthcare." said Dr. Alison Harris, President of the CAR. "When imaging capacity is constrained, every part of the healthcare system feels the impact, from cancer care and cardiac treatment to emergency medicine and surgery. "

Nearly 2 million Canadians are forced to stop working or reduce work hours while awaiting diagnostic imaging and subsequent treatment, resulting in an $18 billion loss in employment income. Every day that patients wait longer for diagnostic imaging contributes to lost productivity, workforce absences, and delayed treatment.

"The reality is that the system as it stands is both under-resourced and under-staffed," explained Dr. Harris. "Modernizing our diagnostic imaging fleet allows us to better meet the demands of a 21^st-century healthcare system – shortening scan times, reducing equipment downtime lost to costly maintenance on older machines, and seamlessly integrating emerging technologies like AI. However, demand for imaging has dramatically outpaced workforce growth, and we cannot expand access without skilled professionals operating scanners and interpret images. Investing in people protects the return on every healthcare infrastructure dollar."

The CAR is urgently calling on the federal government to modernize Canada's diagnostic imaging fleet and fill critical workforce gaps to meet escalating need.

Investment in diagnostic imaging will deliver measurable returns in improved productivity, better health outcomes, and reduced long-term costs.

"Radiology is not just healthcare spending," emphasized Dr. Harris. "It is a strategic national investment opportunity to secure a healthy workforce and a prosperous future."

As the CAR continues to sound the alarm, Canada's diagnostic crisis calls for Federal leadership to not only address a health access issue, but also a considerable economic drain.

About: Founded in 1937, the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) is a national specialty society for radiologists in Canada, dedicated to imaging excellence and advocating for the highest standard of patient care across the country. CAR is a recognized leader in education, research and innovation in radiology, providing world class resources that empower our members to be more successful in their profession.

SOURCE Canadian Association of Radiologists

Media Contact: Simone Flannery, [email protected], 289 707 4969