I phoned all 84 doctors who were listed as practising within 10 kilometres of my home. Some of their receptionists were polite. Some were surly. All rejected me.

...

Then I found another Web-based service called HealthAware.ca. It allows you to search for doctors who are accepting patients. Skeptical, I gave it a try. Lo and behold, there was a doctor listed at a clinic called ExecHealth located right behind my office. Hallelujah!

When I called I was directed to their marketing department. And yes, said the man on the other end of the line, they would be glad to take me as a patient. For $3,000 a year. I actually gave it some thought before declining the offer.

File this under "Health *insurance* is not the same thing as health *care*." Also file under "unintended consequences", "perverse incentives," and "price ceilings cause shortages." Via Price Controls Cause Doctor Shortage in Canada, David Henderson | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty.