A different perspective: my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2006. Even though his prognosis was very bad, he got top notch care, got MRI/PET/CAT scans whenever they were needed, got put into an experimental chemo program, and generally received fantastic care. Although it wasn't enough, and from a financial POV was probably a Poor investment, I cannot in any way fault the care he received. There are certainly problems with the Canadian system, but every experience I've had with it (even and perhaps even especially the unsuccessful ones) has been fantastic.