On Tuesday, Canada’s NDP introduced Pharmacare legislation, outlining the New Democrats' expectations of the government on the universal prescription medication program. As part of the Confidence and Supply agreement, New Democrats are using their power to force the government to pass pharmacare legislation by the end of the year.
And as the cost of living keeps rising, more people in Winnipeg and across Manitoba have been feeling the effects more than ever. NDP MP Daniel Blaikie (Elmwood—Transcona) says that making prescription medication affordable will bring some relief for Canadians.
“I’ve heard from many people in Winnipeg who are struggling to get by—the rising cost of groceries, rent and mortgages is a great burden on families,” said Blaikie. “New Democrats are fighting for real solutions to put money back in your pockets whereas the Liberals have been promising Pharmacare for over 25 years without delivering. Canadians are paying the price for this broken promise, while Big Pharma keeps making record profits.”
The NDP’s renewed push for Universal Pharmacare comes after the Liberals blocked price reforms for patented medications four times. Just last November, after his department was lobbied 126 times by pharmaceutical companies, the Health Minister intervened to suspend these price reforms once again—choosing to keep medication prices high for Canadians.
As for Pierre Poilievre, despite having an insurance program paid for by taxpayers, he doesn’t want Canadians to have free medication to stay healthy—he voted against pharmacare last parliament.
NDP MP Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski) says people across the province will benefit from the NDP’s Canada Pharmacare Act.
“People in Northern Manitoba are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of fuel and food,” said Ashton. “Instead of adopting real solutions to make life easier for you and your family, Liberals are working for Big Pharma profits—even if it means it makes medicines inaccessible for people. No one should go without the medicines they need, and New Democrats will keep fighting to force the Liberals to deliver Universal Pharmacare.”
