Canada's health-care system is "five to 10 years" from the breaking point -- even with cash injections from government, says the new president of the B.C. Medical Association.

"In the short term, more funding can solve problems," said Dr. Jack Burak, whose organization represents 8,500 B.C. doctors.

"I am not optimistic, however, that within 10 years we'll be able to have the publicly funded system we have now."

Additional money promised during the federal election isn't enough to sustain our health care system in the future, he said.

During the election, Prime Minister Paul Martin promised another $9 billion for health care, which included $4 billion to reduce waiting lists for surgeries.

While Burak welcomes this money, he expects B.C.'s share will only help half of the 75,000 to 80,000 British Columbians currently awaiting surgery.

A BCMA report released in June suggested it would take $300 million to cut wait lists in half over the next four years.

"The big question is whether just throwing more money at wait lists is going to solve the problem," Burak said. "That's the question I think we don't know the answer to."

Burak said reducing surgery wait times will require opening more operating rooms, hiring more nurses and support staff and creating more acute care beds -- all of which require more cash in a system that's already pushed to the limit.

An aging population, expensive treatments, medical technology and costly drugs are factors that are adding pressures to the health budget, he added.

Burak said it's a question of spending more or making fundamental changes to Canada's health care system.

"We have people who believe there should be more funding, but the countervailing point of view is that we're fast reaching a situation where our publicly funded system is no longer sustainable in its current form," he said.

Burak said Canadians are going to have to get more innovative -- even if it means following Alberta's lead by looking to the private sector to help provide future medical services.

One way, Burak suggested, could be creating a publicly funded system that guarantees basic medical services, but requires patients with the financial means to pay for extra services, which could be delivered privately.

"The BCMA is not necessarily advocating this but this is just one example of how we can be innovative," Burak said.

He doesn't believe this means adopting a "two-tier" medical system like the United States.

"One has to be careful about using 'two-tier,' it's a red herring," he said.

"Those people who want to continue to see the status quo to some extent fear-monger by expecting Canadians to believe it's going to automatically mean a U.S.-style system, but it certainly doesn't have to."

Burak also suggested public-private partnerships could help the province offset some of the costs of building new medical facilities.

Ultimately, Burak said, the future shape of Canada's health care system is something all Canadians have to weigh in on.

"That's a debate that we have to have as a society," he says. "It's not up to doctors to decide, and I don't think it's even up to governments to decide."

In the meantime, Burak said he expects the newly elected Liberal minority government will make good on its election promises to boost funding for health care.