David Elman, a 54-year-old father of two from Saint John, New Brunswick, says he is too sick to work but not sick enough to get additional financial support before open-heart surgery. Diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic root aneurysm, he was told in January to prepare for surgery by the end of February. But when surgeons finally called in late May, Elman had to decline-because he couldn't afford to take five to eight weeks off for recovery.
Elman had exhausted his federal Employment Insurance benefits after a previous illness and could not qualify for more without first accumulating 600 hours of work. He was working as a DoorDash driver despite his doctor's orders to rest. He also sold heirlooms to pay bills but has run out of options.
After contacting his local MP John Williamson, Elman was approved for an additional seven weeks of benefits. But he remains worried about the financial strain during recovery. Patient advocate Peter Phillips, founder of NB Broken HealthCare, warns that Canada is moving toward a U.S.-style system where treatment depends on ability to pay. Elman has launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking $10,000.