2 B.C. cities have the longest average wait times for walk-in clinics in Canada
The average wait time for walk-in clinics in British Columbia is more than double the national average, according to online clinic tracker Medimap.
British Columbians had to wait an average of 79 minutes before they could see a doctor at a walk-in clinic in 2022.
That total is more than double the national average of 37 minutes last year.
In 2022, B.C.'s average wait time to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic rose 21 minutes compared to the 2021, and 37 minutes compared to 2020.
"The drastic increase in average wait times at walk-in clinics provides further evidence that healthcare systems across the country are struggling to provide adequate care," said Medimap CEO Thomas Jankowski in a release Wednesday.
In two B.C. cities, the average wait time to meet with a doctor at a walk-in clinic was over two hours.
The longest wait time is in North Vancouver, where residents have to wait an average of 160 minutes, or two hours and 40 minutes, to speak with a doctor.
The second longest wait time is in Victoria, where patients have to wait 137 minutes, or two hours and 17 minutes, according to Medimap.
Average walk-in clinic wait times for 2022 are shown. (Medimap)Comparatively, Ontario is the province with the shortest wait time to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic.
In 2022, the average wait time was 25 minutes in Ontario, which still marked an increase of about 10 minutes compared to 2021.
The shortest wait time to access a doctor at a walk-in clinic in B.C. is in Richmond, according to Medimap, where the average wait time is about 31 minutes.
Nova Scotia was the province with the highest average wait time in Canada for 2022, with residents having to wait an average of 83 minutes to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic.
However, B.C. is still home to the top two cities with the longest average wait times in all of Canada in North Vancouver and Victoria.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec police officer stabbed and killed during arrest, second wounded
A Quebec provincial police officer was fatally stabbed Monday night while performing an arrest in Louiseville, west of Trois-Rivieres, Que. The Surete du Quebec (SQ) has confirmed the identity of the officer, Sgt. Maureen Breau, who had been on the force for over 20 years. She was assigned to the post of the MRC de Maskinonge. Another officer was injured during the incident, but their life is not in danger.

Liberals to go after predatory lending in today's budget, invest in dental care plan
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to table a federal budget in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, which a federal source says will include plans to go after predatory lending and more details on dental care as part of a pitch to make life more affordable.
Nashville shooter was ex-student with detailed plan to kill
The former student who shot through the doors of a Christian elementary school in Nashville and killed three children and three adults had drawn a detailed map of the school, including potential entry points, and conducted surveillance of the building before carrying out the massacre.
What we know about the Nashville Christian school shooting
Six people were killed at a small, private Christian school just south of downtown Nashville on Monday after a shooter opened fire inside the building containing about 200 students, police said.
Russian whose daughter drew anti-war picture gets two years' jail but flees
A Russian who was investigated by police after his daughter drew an anti-war picture at school was sentenced on Tuesday to two years in a penal colony on charges of discrediting the armed forces.
Here's why advocates want 'femicide' in Canada's Criminal Code
Advocates against women's violence are urging the government to add femicide to the Criminal Code, saying it would bring further awareness to the term and the tragedies it describes.
Teen girl shot and killed in northeast Calgary
A teenage girl was shot and killed in northeast Calgary community of Martindale on Tuesday.
Security, support services needed to tackle violence on Canadian transit: analyst
Cities across Canada need greater security on transit and improved access to mental health and addiction services in order to help Canadians feel safe, one public safety analyst says.
Canada heading into 'mild recession' as tight monetary policy squeezes growth: report
New research says Canada is heading into a mild recession as elevated borrowing costs, a downturn in the U.S. and persistent inflation dial up the country's economic uncertainty.