EDMONTON — Today the Final Report of the National Pharmacare Committee of Experts was tabled in Parliament. The committee was struck by the federal government in November 2024 as mandated by BIll C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare, and was tasked with making recommendations for the government’s implementation of the next stages of the national public drug plan.

Friends of Medicare's executive director Chris Gallaway made the following statement:

EDMONTON — Speaking at a press conference in Edmonton late last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney said that new bilateral agreements with remaining provinces and territories would be finalized “as quickly and equitably as possible.” These comments follow months of uncertainty as to the future of national Pharmacare, as result of multiple remarks from the Prime Minister and Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel refusing to commit to the continued implementation of the program—including as recently as last week.

EDMONTON – With the federal Liberal caucus meeting for their pre-session retreat in Edmonton this week, Friends of Medicare is joining the Canadian Health Coalition and allies from Alberta and across Canada for a rally to call on the Federal Government to keep their promise to implement and expand a national Pharmacare plan.

The historic passing of Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare last October brought us closer than we’ve ever been to achieving universal drug coverage in Canada, with a preliminary plan for universal coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and devices. Since then, bilateral agreements have been signed by the federal government with Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon, to get coverage for diabetes and contraceptive medications under way. Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have all been mentioned as potentially being next in line.

EDMONTON — As Albertans’ anxiety grows over the rising cost of living — including how new tariffs could impact their employment, health benefits, drug costs, and pocketbooks — the federal government is creating uncertainty about whether they intend to fulfill their promise to deliver much-needed relief when it comes to expanding federal dental care coverage, and bringing down drug costs via a national public drug plan.

EDMONTON — Yesterday, the Senate passed Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare, without amendments. This is a major step forward for drug coverage in Canada, laying the groundwork for what would be the most significant expansion to our public health care system since the creation of national Medicare over sixty years ago. The legislation sets up a framework for universal, single-payer, first-dollar drug coverage for all Canadians, beginning with coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and equipment. 

OTTAWA — Passing and implementing Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare, will lay the groundwork for the most significant expansion to our public health care system since the creation of national Medicare over fifty years ago. The legislation sets up a framework for universal, single-payer, first-dollar drug coverage for all Canadians, beginning with coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and equipment. 

This afternoon, the federal government tabled their 2024-2025 budget. Included is funding for the continued expansion of national dental care coverage, and crucial funding for the roll out of universal, single-payer Pharmacare — both key commitments in the Confidence and Supply Agreement between the NDP and the Liberals.

Friends of Medicare, along with over a dozen advocates and health care workers from Alberta, are in Ottawa this week to take part in the Canadian Health Coalition’s Health & Hope Lobby on Parliament Hill.

OTTAWA — Participants from across Alberta will be meeting with Members of Parliament from all three of our federal parties, as well as Senators, to push for universal single-payer Pharmacare, safer long-term care, expanded public health care, and to stop privatization through the enforcement of the Canada Health Act. Friends of Medicare is also proud to support the rally for public health care on Parliament Hill tomorrow afternoon.

EDMONTON — Yesterday, it was announced that the tabling of a National Pharmacare bill in the House of Commons will be delayed into the new year. This extends the timeline that was laid out in the Confidence and Supply Agreement between the NDP and the governing Liberals, which stipulated that legislation should be tabled and passed by the end of 2023.