Imagine living with severe back pain and being told by Canada’s health care system that it would take at least two years before you could receive surgery. That’s what Canadian patient John Massing faced.

Should you be allowed to use your own money to try to improve your health? A quarter century ago, it was a controversial decision for the Alberta government to say “yes” to that question when it came to allowing private MRI scans.

With Christmas just around the corner, SecondStreet.org, a new Canadian think tank, released a report that examines which provinces allow Canadians to purchase a private MRI scan for themselves or for a loved one.

SecondStreet.org has been doing research into natural resource development and climate change. One interesting story we came across involves Berg Chilling Systems, an Ontario company that has developed technology that helps oil and gas companies reduce their emissions.