TORONTO, ON — November 12, 2026 Hope Air is on track to reach a record-breaking level of support in 2026, underscoring the critical need for travel assistance for Canadians who
must leave their communities to access essential healthcare. This year, over 10,000
patients and caregivers, living in over 720 rural communities across Canada, will rely upon
Hope Air to reach hospitals far from home. As families across the country face mounting
financial pressures, the cost of travelling for medical treatment represents an additional
burden that many patients simply cannot afford.
For Canadians living in rural and remote communities, specialized medical care can be
hundreds or thousands of kilometres from home. While Canada’s universal healthcare
system covers medically necessary hospital and physician services, the cost of reaching
that care often falls on patients and their families. Flights, accommodations, meals and
time away from work can quickly add up to thousands of dollars, creating significant
financial barriers to treatment.
Hope Air’s record level of service comes as economic pressures continue to affect
households across Canada. According to Statistics Canada, rural and small-town
communities experienced a decline of 119,800 employed people in August 2026 compared
with the same month a year earlier, a decrease of 4.4 per cent. At the same time, Food
Banks Canada reported nearly 2.35 million visits in a single month, nearly 9% higher
than 2025, highlighting the challenges many households face in meeting basic needs.
For families already struggling with the cost of housing, groceries and other necessities, an
unexpected medical diagnosis can create an overwhelming financial burden. When
treatment requires travel far from home, the additional expenses can make accessing
essential healthcare financially impossible without assistance.
Hope Air’s 2026 National Patient Survey, which gathered responses from 1,183 patients
across Canada, reveals just how vulnerable patients are to these costs. Among surveyed
patients, whose average annual household income was less than $40,000 before taxes,
58 per cent said they would delay or cancel a medical appointment if travel expenses
exceeded $500. With a single medical trip costing approximately $2,600 without
assistance, the financial consequences can be substantial.
By making essential medical travel possible, Hope Air helps patients access timely
treatment, protects families from additional financial hardship and supports healthier,
stronger communities across Canada.
Universal healthcare must include the journey to care. Where someone lives, or what
they can afford, should never determine their ability to reach the medical treatment
they need.
About Hope Air
For 40 years, Hope Air has been Canada’s national charity dedicated to removing financial
barriers to medical travel. Since 1986, Hope Air has helped patients living in rural, remote
and underserved communities reach specialized medical care through free flights,
accommodations, meals, ground transportation and other travel assistance.
For more information, visit www.hopeair.ca.
Research Sources
1. Statistics Canada: Labour Force Survey, September 2026 (October 9, 2026).
2. Statistics Canada:Employment by industry in rural Canada: Interactive dashboard
(September 10, 2026 update)
3. Food Banks Canada: HungerCount 2026.
4. Hope Air: 2026 National Patient Survey (July 2026)
