Canadians want reforms because our system is going away from the British/French/European system and more towards the American one. A lot of people are pissed about the talk currently going on that says we are going to have start paying out of pocket for certain tests, procedures, etc.
Elective procedures for me here in the Toronto area are about 2 months. I have a small hernia, doesn't really bother me but I should get it fixed. My GP booked my specialist appointment in the middle of July, saw the specialist in the middle of August, surgery was scheduled for end of Sept., but I asked for it to be around Christmas as I didn't want to burn too many of my sick days that the school board gives us each year. Rural parts of Canada, 5 months would be a good guess.