"including the B.C. and federal governments, various health authorities and intervenors such as unions who oppose private clinics "


In Canada's two tiered health care system, what is ironic and outrageous about the above sentence is the sheer hypocrisy. The Government politicians, Lawyers and Union members ALL enjoy private VIP benefits and access to expeditated MRI's, CT's, Physio, Private Clinics, Psychologists, Dental.
In fact Federal Officials have rapid access to their own physicians and specialists. If the problem can't be dealt with in Canada, then immediate access to US Clinics such as the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have been known to be frequented by such 'egalitarian Canadians' as PM Chrétien.

Actually the Canadian health care system as it is, benefits private US companies and America the most because instead of spending $Billions in Canada, the many tens of thousands of wealthy Canadians spend their money in the US. Private US companies don't want Canada to change a thing