A new documentary, "Broken Country," is challenging Canada's image as a progressive model, with filmmakers presenting a critical look at the nation's struggles with healthcare, affordability, drug policy, immigration, and strained resources. The film, directed by Mira Metter and co-produced by her husband Mike Werry, is based on interviews with over 4,500 Canadians and 70 policy experts.
Metter told Fox News Digital that years of "bad policy" have left Canada facing significant challenges. One featured individual recounts a 15-hour wait in an emergency room following a spinal injury. By the time he saw a surgeon, he had lost feeling below the waist, resulting in permanent spinal cord damage. The film highlights that this individual was later offered Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) while seeking treatment for his chronic pain and disability, which he perceived as a betrayal by the system.
According to the BBC, Canada's MAID law, legalized in 2016, is now associated with one in every 20 deaths in the country. Additionally, a report from the Canadian advocacy organization SecondStreet.org found that approximately 23,000 patients died on medical waitlists in the past year.
The documentary also addresses the impact of immigration policies. Metter stated that Canada's parameters for temporary migrants, including students and workers, led to an influx of approximately 2.3 million people over two years in a country of 40 million. She argues that the country's infrastructure, particularly in cities like Toronto, was not equipped to handle such a rapid increase, leading to gridlock and strain on resources.
Regarding the drug epidemic, Metter noted that Canada's approach includes "safe injection, safe supply sites" where drug consumption is supervised. The film points to a controversy at an Ontario high school where safe snorting kits were reportedly distributed to students.
Metter emphasized that the struggles are widespread, affecting Canadians across the political spectrum. "No matter what their political stance is... people are experiencing the same hardships," she said. When asked simple questions about affordability, access to healthcare, and wait times, "across the board, people were struggling with these same things."
"Broken Country" is scheduled for a limited release in theaters across Canada and the U.S. on September 18, with a subsequent release on Amazon Prime on October 26.