A new report card on arthritis care in Canada paints a grim picture: no province or territory has made meaningful progress in the past three years, and two have seen their grades drop.
The 2026 State of Arthritis in Canada Report Card, commissioned by Arthritis Society Canada, shows that not a single jurisdiction has surpassed a “C” grade since the last report in 2023. Alberta dropped from a C to a D, and Newfoundland and Labrador fell from a D to an F.
“There’s years that people are losing their lives waiting for the right treatment,” said Calgary rheumatologist Dr. Cheryl Barnabe.
The report found that despite recommendations from the 2023 edition, “jurisdictions have made little to no progress.” Research into arthritis remains “chronically underfunded,” even though the disease affects more than six million Canadians and is the country’s leading cause of disability. Half of those affected are under 65.
“Arthritis is not an older person’s disease,” said Trish Barbato of Arthritis Society Canada. “It is not wear and tear. It’s not inevitable.”
Access to community programs and long wait times for joint replacement surgery were cited as the biggest issues. The report urges a national plan to improve data, access, and research funding.