Over 50% of women say Canada’s health system fails them; 76% say it wasn’t built for them
More than half of Canadian women say the health care system fails to meet their needs, according to Maple’s 2025 report Closing the care gap: the state of women’s health care in Canada.
The findings raise concerns not only about access and responsiveness but also about the systemic disconnect between health services and the realities faced by women today.
As per the national survey of 1,505 women conducted by Maple through the Angus Reid Forum, 54 percent believe the health system does not serve them adequately, while 76 percent say it was not designed with their needs in mind.
The report found that 74 percent of women feel their health concerns are not taken seriously, and 35 percent reported being misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late.
Delays are not uncommon. According to Maple’s report, 62 percent of women have skipped or delayed care due to long wait times.
These delays have significant consequences: 43 percent reported not receiving timely treatment, and the average wait time to see a specialist exceeds 30 weeks for over half of respondents.
Cancer, mental health, and cardiovascular disease emerged as top concerns.
Maple’s findings on page 10 showed 67 percent of women identified cancer as a leading worry, followed by mental health (57 percent) and cardiovascular disease (48 percent).
Yet, as reported by the Menopause Foundation of Canada, unmanaged symptoms linked to menopause alone cost the economy $3.5bn annually, with $237m lost in productivity.
The issue of being dismissed or not taken seriously was especially prominent among younger women.
According to Maple, 63 percent of women aged 18 to 34 feel their concerns are ignored because of their gender.
This sentiment extends across the country — for example, 81 percent of women in Alberta say the system is not working for them, and 80 percent of women in Saskatchewan say navigating it is exhausting.
The burden intensifies for women balancing dual caregiving roles.
According to Maple, 93 percent of sandwich generation caregivers — those supporting both children and aging parents — say the dual responsibility has negatively affected their own health.
Of those aged 35 to 64, 31 percent delayed seeking care for themselves due to these pressures.
Workplaces are increasingly playing a role in bridging these care gaps.
As noted in Benefits and Pension Monitor, flexibility in job structure is crucial: 66 percent of working mothers now only consider roles offering flexible arrangements.
Robert Half’s workplace research found that 75 percent of working moms are more satisfied in their careers due to having that flexibility.
However, as workplace expert Tara Parry cautioned, flexibility varies greatly, from schedule control to remote work, depending on individual needs.
Meanwhile, the gender pension gap adds another layer.
According to research from the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), women receive 17 percent less income in retirement than men despite higher participation in registered plans.
The 2024 Canadian Retirement Survey found that nearly half of Canadian women had less than $5,000 in savings, with 28 percent reporting no savings at all.
These financial stressors also manifest in health outcomes.
HOOPP’s report The Health Impacts of a Pension noted that women are 7 percent more financially stressed than men and have 6 percent lower financial well-being.
This contributes to higher risks of anxiety, depression, and heart disease.
Shawna O’Hearn of Dalhousie University, co-founder of the Menopause Society of Nova Scotia, pointed out that menopause is still widely misunderstood in the workplace.
The lack of training and awareness often results in dismissive attitudes. O’Hearn advocated for training managers, updating internal policies, and adding support tools like Employee Resource Groups to address the challenges women face during this life stage.
There is also a perception gap between performance and symptoms.
As reported by Benefits and Pension Monitor, unmanaged menopause symptoms can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, and poor job evaluations if managers remain unaware.
O’Hearn recommended that coaching and lifestyle supports be extended beyond senior levels and embedded into broader benefit plans.
Technology could play a significant role in addressing these challenges. According to Maple, 31 percent of women surveyed have used virtual care, and over half of the remaining respondents are open to it.
As per the report findings on page 17, digital tools are valued for reducing wait times, expanding access to specialists, and improving care continuity.
For women, especially those managing complex conditions or responsibilities, proactive virtual models offer flexibility, agency, and control.
Brett Belchetz, Maple’s CEO, emphasized that the current care model requires more than minor updates. “We need a system that starts earlier, moves faster and delivers care with empathy, agency and trust.”
The data suggest that care delivery and support structures must evolve to reflect women’s experiences and responsibilities — not just in clinical settings, but across broader social and economic dimensions.
