Canadians deserve timely access to healthcare

A teenager forced to leave Canada for healthcare

Government delays left one family with $200,000 in expenses

Vienna Pedatella was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis at age 13. This meant her spine was curved like an S. Vienna followed her doctor’s recommendations but her condition continued to worsen. After waiting more than two years for surgery in Canada’s healthcare system – well beyond the generally recommended six-month timeframe for pediatric spinal surgery – the Pedatellas sought other options.

When the Pedatellas found a surgeon in the United States who could operate within weeks, they applied to Alberta’s Out-of-Country Health Services Program, which is designed to provide healthcare when it is unavailable in Canada, including because of excessive wait times.

The committee refused funding. The family was told Vienna could continue waiting.

Faced with deteriorating health and no realistic alternative, the Pedatellas paid nearly $200,000 out of pocket so their daughter could get the surgery she urgently needed.

Vienna and her mother, Janene, who never misses an opportunity to express how proud she is of her daughter's grace and resilience — Vienna and her mother, Janene, who never misses an opportunity to express how proud she is of her daughter’s grace and resilience

Before and after Anterior Scoliosis Correction surgery

Canadians need options when government healthcare isn’t delivering

The good news: Vienna received the surgery in August 2025 and it was a success. She made a full recovery and even returned to the sports she loved within weeks. She was cured of her condition in a matter of months thanks to the procedure she had to leave Canada to undertake.

After the surgery, Vienna quickly returned to full activity including weightlifting and skiing

Now, with the help of the Canadian Constitution Foundation and its donors, the Pedatellas have filed for judicial review. Vienna will ask the Court to overturn the decision and reimburse her family for the cost of her surgery. The CCF also seeks a finding that the province violated Vienna’s rights to life, liberty and security of the person as protected by section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms because of the excessive wait.

Canadian families should not be forced into financial ruin when medically necessary care is not available in the system.

We deserve meaningful alternatives when government healthcare cannot provide treatment.

The CCF’s application for judicial review can be read here.

Just 79 days post-surgery, Vienna was trying on dresses for her graduation and recently graduated high school with honours

For more on Vienna’s story, watch this short documentary from SecondStreet.org

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No family should have to watch their loved one’s health worsen while waiting years for treatment

Vienna’s story is not an isolated case. Across Canada, patients are left to suffer because government healthcare systems cannot deliver timely care. And too often, they’re denied the freedom to seek better options.

Your donation will help the Canadian Constitution Foundation fund the Pedatella family’s legal challenge and set a precedent.

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