[Quiet Man Cometh]

Canadian health care isn't necessarily free. It's paid for through taxes, and each person has to pay a certain amount each year depending on their circumstances to keep it up what's considered a basic level, which covers most typical things and some pills. Enough stuff isn't covered that it can still be quite expensive. People can chose to pay more and get greater benefits such as more pills covered, dental or optical, neither of which are covered unless it involves something that directly concerns physical health (as far as I know).

Some people get annoyed with the system because they may end up paying for something they don't use, but it's essential that everyone pays in because contributions from healthy people offset the disproportionate costs from the people who get injured or sick.

I imagine it's too late to avoid the bill, but could you make an appeal to worker's comp because the injury was caused by an accident at work? You might be able to get some of the money back.