I know of over 30 current cancer cases of people close to us at church and their kids who live in various parts of BC and their experience is very different from what you describe. The system is completely understaffed and underfunded and the training and skill level is way lower from our experience than what we have experienced before as expats in certain other countries. Here my impression is that many become nurse practitioners or doctors not because of a calling and passion to help but to make a quick buck (which is ironic as Canada, at least under the MSP system in BC, is probably underpaying its medical professionals more than any other advanced economy).
I'm in BC. From the time I was diagnosed to start of treatment for cancer was days.
Mother had a stroke a few years back. 29 days in hospital with excellent care, no cost.
I do know there are delays. Caused mainly by bureaucracy. (my opinion)