Hey there... I'm Canadian so yes I agree with what you've said re how our system works. Let me share a trick with you.. Push. You can most certainly ask for a second opinion, there are ways of jumping the system to move faster I've done it myself and done the same for my father in law,
If you want to see someone else then find the name of a dr. (Someone tops in their field - when my father in law was diagnosed in sept/Oct with esophageal cancer I told the referring dr I didn't want him treated locally. I found out the type of dr. he was going to be referred to and looked up the top thoracic cardiologist in Toronto. I asked my family dr. For a referral to her (she is affiliated with PMH here) I called her office gave them a heads up, and my dr sent the referral - she booked him in within a week and set him up for his ct the next day. Because of this he has gone through treatment and is two weeks out of rads already - they moved crazy fast because rather than being referred to the hospital /cancer center we were referred to a specific dr. (Minimal wait time - it's a bit like a back door) Plus I made a bit of a pain of myself by calling ahead to make sure they were organized getting him set up for things.
Make phone calls, ask to be put on waiting lists, and ask your dr. for a second opinion at a top hospital to a specific dr. (Most drs will refer only within their group of associates. If you request someone else specifically - this will get you to where you want to be - most people don't realize what you have access to.
I did the same thing with my dr. When I was diagnosed. Being proactive makes a big difference in your care. Also remember to be polite, instead if being demanding explain you're worried and just want to ... Get in as soon as possible - make sure you're making the right decision etc...
Most people simply do what their drs tell them without asking questions - knowledge is power. Hugs