Canada
MRI wait times in Canada by province (2025)
Across the provinces that report, half of patients had a publicly funded MRI within 59 days in 2025, and one in ten waited 207 days or more. The wait depends heavily on where you live.
MRI wait time by province
Days from the date the order was received to the date of the scan, for publicly funded MRI scans done from April to September 2025. All priority levels are included, so urgent scans pull the median down.
| Province | Half waited up to | 1 in 10 waited at least | Scans counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 47 days | 187 days | 462,898 |
| British Columbia | 89 days | 240 days | 107,811 |
| Alberta | 72 days | 220 days | 78,689 |
| Manitoba | 151 days | 360 days | 17,169 |
| Nova Scotia | 68 days | 294 days | 16,179 |
| Saskatchewan | 51 days | 178 days | 14,358 |
| Prince Edward Island | 42 days | 528 days | 2,311 |
| Reporting provinces togetherCIHI's volume-weighted estimate | 59 days | 207 days |
Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador did not report MRI wait times for 2025. Provinces may differ slightly in method.
Why you may have seen a longer figure
The Fraser Institute reports a median MRI wait of 18.1 weeks for 2025. That figure comes from a survey of physicians. CIHI's figures come from provincial wait-time registries and count scans that were actually done. The two measure different things, so they are not directly comparable. CIHI's national median of 59 days is about 8.4 weeks.
Your options if the wait is long
1. Ask about your place on the list
Ask your referring doctor whether your priority can be reviewed, and whether another site in your province has a shorter list. Urgent cases are seen first.
2. Private MRI in Canada
Private clinics operate in some provinces and publish their own prices. Two published price lists, in Canadian dollars:
- Canada Diagnostic Centres, Calgary, Alberta
- C$695 for one area. Each additional area C$347.50; contrast C$250 if required.
- Canada Diagnostic Centres, British Columbia
- C$950 for one area. Most single-area routine exams; exams with contrast from C$1,600.
3. An MRI in China
With us, an MRI of one body area starts from $250 US dollars all-in, and once your booking is confirmed the scan is typically done within 24–48 hours, depending on hospital availability.
From $250 USD, all-in
One body area, without contrast: the hospital fee, booking, the English report and your DICOM files. Contrast and extra areas are quoted on top.
The hospital part is capped by Beijing's official price schedule at ¥470 (about $70). Official fees →
Private MRI cost in Canada, and the full cost of going to China
Compare totals, not scan prices. The China side has to include flights, accommodation and your time, and those usually cost more than the scan.
- It can make sense when
- You are travelling to China anyway, you need several scans in one trip, or your wait at home is long and a private scan near you is not available.
- It usually does not when
- You need one routine MRI and would fly only for that. A private clinic in Canada is likely to cost less in total.
- It is the wrong choice when
- The problem is urgent. Use local emergency care.
- Check first
- Whether your own doctor will work from a scan and report made abroad, and which exam they want.
MRI wait times in Canada: common questions
How long is the wait for an MRI in Canada?
It depends on the province. In 2025, across the provinces that report to CIHI, half of patients had their MRI within 59 days and one in ten waited 207 days or more. Provincial medians ranged from 42 to 151 days.
How long is the MRI wait time in Ontario?
In 2025, half of Ontario patients had their MRI within 47 days, and one in ten waited 187 days or more (CIHI).
How long is the MRI wait time in British Columbia?
In 2025, half of British Columbia patients had their MRI within 89 days, and one in ten waited 240 days or more (CIHI).
How long is the MRI wait time in Alberta?
In 2025, half of Alberta patients had their MRI within 72 days, and one in ten waited 220 days or more (CIHI).
How much does a private MRI cost in Canada?
Private clinics publish their own prices. Two published examples: Canada Diagnostic Centres in Calgary, Alberta lists C$695 for one area; Canada Diagnostic Centres in British Columbia lists C$950 for one area. Contrast and additional areas cost more.