Brian Day

Dr Brian Day speech at the CMA

Brian Day is a Canadian orthopedic surgeon and a prominent advocate for private healthcare in Canada. He is best known for his role as the founder and medical director of the Cambie Surgery Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. Day has been a controversial figure in the Canadian healthcare debate, often clashing with proponents of the public healthcare system.

Early Life and Education

Brian Day was born in Liverpool, England. He completed his medical degree at the University of Manchester before moving to Canada. In Canada, he completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of British Columbia.

Career

Day began his medical career as an orthopedic surgeon, specializing in sports medicine and joint replacement surgery. He has held various academic positions, including a professorship at the University of British Columbia.

Cambie Surgery Centre

In 1996, Day founded the Cambie Surgery Centre, a private surgical facility in Vancouver. The center offers a range of surgical services, including orthopedic, plastic, and general surgery. The establishment of the Cambie Surgery Centre marked a significant moment in the debate over private versus public healthcare in Canada.

Advocacy and Legal Challenges

Brian Day has been a vocal advocate for the expansion of private healthcare options in Canada. He argues that the public healthcare system is unable to meet the demand for timely medical services, leading to long wait times and suffering for patients.

In 2009, Day launched a legal challenge against the British Columbia government, arguing that restrictions on private healthcare violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The case, known as the Cambie Surgeries Corporation v. British Columbia (Attorney General), has been a focal point in the ongoing debate over healthcare in Canada.

Controversies

Day's advocacy for private healthcare has made him a controversial figure. Critics argue that the expansion of private healthcare could undermine the public system and lead to a two-tiered healthcare system where only those who can afford to pay receive timely care.

Personal Life

Brian Day is married and has children. He continues to practice medicine and remains active in the debate over healthcare policy in Canada.

See Also

• Cambie Surgery Centre
• Public healthcare system
• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• Cambie Surgeries Corporation v. British Columbia (Attorney General)
• University of British Columbia