Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal Liberal government is committed to finalizing pharmacare agreements with every province and territory, putting an end to speculation that the program could be scaled back. Speaking in Edmonton on Thursday, Carney promised the deals will be completed “as quickly and as equitably as possible,” stressing that the commitment remains firm.
The pharmacare law, passed last fall under the Liberal–NDP supply-and-confidence agreement, launched the first phase of a national plan. It provides single-payer coverage for contraceptives and select diabetes medications at little or no cost to patients. The legislation also requires Ottawa to negotiate funding agreements with provinces and territories while exploring options for a broader universal pharmacare model.
So far, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island and Yukon have signed agreements, covering more than 60 per cent of the $1.5 billion allocated in the last federal budget. Until now, the government had hesitated to commit to securing additional deals, raising concerns from health advocates who warned a patchwork system would be unfair and leave gaps in access. Demonstrators outside the Liberal caucus meeting in Edmonton this week pressed Ottawa to move forward with the program.
Carney acknowledged the financial pressures facing the government but said safeguarding social programs remains a priority. He confirmed that pharmacare, along with dental care and child care deals, will be protected in the upcoming federal budget, even as other “tough choices” are made to control spending.
Asked whether the government intends to expand pharmacare into a fully universal drug coverage system, Carney said that remains a “different question.” A committee of experts studying possible models for such a program is expected to deliver its report to the health minister by October 10, with the findings to be tabled in Parliament. The federal budget is set to be introduced later that month.