• Canadians pick their own doctors.
• Doctors run their own private practices; they don't work for the government.
• The government is the sole insurance agency, or the only (single) "payer" to pay doctors.
• Per capita costs for health care in Canada, according to the OECD, is 46% lower than in the U.S. (And in the U.S. lack of health insurances causes about 18,000 deaths a year.)

Further reading:

• Single Payer FAQ
• 10 myths about Canadian Health Care, Busted
• Top 5 health care lies and how to fight back
• Reality check on for profit health care facilities