As a Canadian, I have never considered healthcare being an obstacle for retirement. I can see why it can be so disheartening for young people trying to get into the job market. Is it a common thing for people to hold on to jobs they don't really need or care about just to get healthcare? Sorry is this is off topic this just wasn't something I have ever heard of before.

Where does this myth about wait times come from. If you critically need something you get it in minutes. There is no wait time in Canada for critical care. They always report wait time as averages, if you retired and have knee pain you can expect to wait a few months for an MRI. You can always pay for it yourself or if you don't need to take time of work you can go on the cancelation wait list. The cancelation wait list significantly moves you up the list for non critical issues. Everyone on the wait list is rated, children usually go first, what you do for a living impacts the list as well. I blew my knee and have a desk job and they told me right away your going to wait. If you have a physical job you get in quickly. I have had both appendicitis and kidney stones and of course when you go to the ER in pain the only wait is based on medical triage. You get everything you need as fast as possible.