It is time for national pharmacare program. It is time for pharmacare for all.
That is why our NDP caucus has announced a plan to give universal pharmacare coverage to all Canadians. It is time to make this a reality.
People in Northern Manitoba know how expensive it is to access basic needs like food and a roof over their heads. All too often people cannot afford the medication they or a family member needs. This shouldn’t happen to anyone. Universal pharmacare will ensure no one is left scrambling to get the care they and their family need.
The NDP’s Canada Pharmacare Act is based on the principles of the Canada Health Act and follows recommendations of the government’s own Hoskins’ report.
We are putting this bill forward so we can finally see action on something people desperately need – pharmacare coverage for all.
Once implemented, the NDP’s pharmacare plan would be free for Canadians, make emergency wait times shorter and free up more hospital beds for those who need them. It also makes economic sense. Canadians would save more than $4.2 billion. It would save families more than $500 a year on average, whether they have insurance or not, and save employers $600 a year per insured worker.
With a minority parliament we can make this happen with cross-party support.
It’s time to make history Canada. Let’s build on the spirit that built medicare for all in this country and extend it to pharmacare for all.
