jakedduck1 and all: I am in Ontario. Am not sure what the wait times are for different municipalities. I am in mid-north and we have one hospital that does not have a neurologist. (nor rheumatologist and several other "ists") Closest about 1.5 to 2 hours away.
What I have found for myself is when family doctor (I no longer have one) or doctor through a Clinic (I use GoodDrs Clinic via telephone or walkin clinic wth computer screen): .. when they send a referral to neurologist or even local specialists like ent, then the specialist/neurologist or whatever "priorizes" the referral.

As an example, clinic dr. referred me to one of the 2 ent's here; one was about 6 month wait (even tho had seen before) and the other was a two year wait!!! Obviously my issues not as important, plus one of them also does cosmetic surgery. However, once you have been given an appoinment DATE, you can go on a waiting list in case they get a referral. I am sure very serious cases get priority... hope so. My beef is: hw can they prioratize when just have a referral and not all the details?

However, about 2 weeks ago had 3 sort of dizzy,double vision on the floor type attacks,at homem went to emerge - told to take tylenol - came home, phoned GoodDrs... they arranged CT Scan within a week. Our hospital has not been busy in that some surgeries cancelled and also people are worried to go there with Covic and our stay at home order, sick or not.

Sooo I would say "it depends" but with Covid it has lengthened the wait times for many medical ... plus I was told many doctors are not working the hours they used to eg try getting one on a Friday!! So I cant really answer your question except to say yes, you could possibly wait a year, but might not.

Maybe others from Canada reading this have input. J.