In Canada I would have had to pay couple of good thousands as well; still much better then US. Though the ER in here is a pain in the ass as there is a waiting time of 8-12h until being seeing by a doctor. Why they insist of calling it ER I have no clue! Like you said, if you aren't dying, don't bother going there!
Years back I considered moving to the US but the so called medical system was what determined me to stay back.