An increasing number of patients in Canada are opting for out-of-country medical services because of long waiting times in the country’s hospitals.

A study by Metroland said that Ontario’s government has tripled its spending to C$164.3m in the past five years on those seeking out-of-Canada medical services.

The Ontario government has committed $42.6bn toward healthcare costs in its 2009–2010 budget in a bid to reduce waiting times.