Digital Transition and Access Equity: Canada’s X-ray Market Strengthens Under National Renewal

Rising cases of pulmonary and infectious diseases are increasing diagnostic demand across Canada, putting hospitals under pressure to deliver faster, more reliable imaging. In response, the X-ray market is expanding, with healthcare modernization reshaping diagnostic infrastructure. To meet the rising demand and replace outdated systems, federal and provincial governments are investing heavily in digital radiography (DR), mobile X-ray fleets, and teleradiology networks. Ontario Health’s USD 110.3 million. Community Diagnostic Centers plan, Alberta Health Services’ imaging equipment renewal projects , and British Columbia’s Infrastructure Program are key initiatives enhancing capacity and connectivity.

Despite these upgrades, access gaps persist. As per Hospital Intel Suite (HiS), Alberta operates nearly twice as many X-ray scanners as British Columbia, even though British Columbia has a larger population. Hospitals in northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the territories still rely on aging computed radiography (CR) systems, highlighting the ongoing need for equitable modernization. These uneven adoption trends are now shaping procurement priorities and creating targeted opportunities for system renewal.

As existing systems age and maintenance costs rise, the transition from CR to DR has become a strategic priority across Canada. This shift is generating strong opportunities for MedTech OEMs as hospitals look to improve imaging efficiency, speed, and interoperability. Approximately 60 percent of X-ray systems nationwide are now digitalized, although adoption remains uneven and is significantly higher in Ontario. Provincial investment programs in Alberta, British Columbia, and Atlantic Canada are accelerating this transition, while northern and rural regions continue to rely on older CR units. These differences are shaping renewal timelines and defining where demand for DR systems is most concentrated.