That type of information can be collected in a way that keeps the names of patients confidential but is able to track how long wait times are. There are certainly programs in many of the provinces that are tracking wait times, keeping all of that information confidential from anybody other than the people giving the direct care. But you're able to know exactly when a patient accessed a system and how long it took them to get to surgery, without releasing their name or any personal information. So I don't think that protecting privacy would impede that kind of data collection.
On December 13th, 2006. See this statement in context.