Opposition says leaked document shows radiation waits may be longer than reported
A document leaked to the opposition party, B.C. United, shows radiation wait times may be even worse than previously reported by the health minister.
On Monday Adrian Dix announced some B.C. cancer patients would be given the option to travel to Washington state for treatment due to long waits here and increasing demand.
A series of graphs from a dashboard -- that appears to be from B.C. Cancer -- suggests fewer than 80 per cent of people are getting their radiation therapy in 28 days, the ideal amount of time.
On Monday, health minister Adrian Dix said the latest number he had was 82.9 per cent. It's unclear if he was referring to the leaked data.
At an unrelated event, Dix was asked whether the province waited too long to act.
"People will always say when you're taking action that it could've been taken a day sooner or a time sooner, but this is pretty decisive action, in addition to a massive cancer plan which focuses on research, health human resources and getting more care to patients," Dix said.
For health critic Shirley Bond, the key message from the leaked document is that the scenario is potentially worse than what's been described.
"Information is coming from cancer care providers, people who are very likely afraid to speak out, specifically, but the situation in terms of how many people are actually being seen within the benchmark wait times appears to be significantly lower than has been talked about publicly," Bond told CTV News.
The opposition is calling on the minister to release more data so British Columbians can know exactly what's going on. They're also flagging other long waits in the cancer care journey that they say also need to be addressed.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information has data which shows B.C. has the worst outcomes when it comes to waits for radiation therapy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.