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You seem satisfied with the present system, and that's fine. However, you originally asked about choice & that's what's lacking.

If you're not aware about waiting lists -- or if you think that waiting lists for knee replacement surgeries are only two months long -- you haven't been paying attention.

There is no "no cost" health care in Canada. Part of the problem is that Canadians don't even know how much their care is costing -- or how well those costs compare with alternatives.

Those private clinics in Quebec aren't being allowed elsewhere. Why should we have to go to a foreign country to get health care. BTW -- you wouldn't need to use your credit card to get that care, if you were allowed to buy supplementary insurance (for items that purport to be covered by the public system). It's rather disingenuous of the supporters of the public monopoly to prevent us from buying competing insurance -- then to pretend that only the very rich could afford health care (because, it would not be covered by insurance).

Apparently I'm more aware than you. I know too many people with new hips , knees and eyes to buy into the notion that there are huge long waiting lists. I know two people, one got a new knee in 10 weeks, another a new hip , first appointment Dec 16, operation Feb 22 . You do the math.

I never said there is no "cost "insurance I pay taxes and the so called Ontario health premium. I said a no cost knee . I already paid for the insurance.

"if you were allowed to buy supplementary insurance (for items that purport to be covered by the public system)"

WHY would you want to ? You're already covered.

btw, Most Canadans going to the US use private insurance, but if I was desperate , which I'm not , I can go to States and get a MRI and pay out of my pocket.
Just like in Quebec or Alberta, or Nova Scotia.