The Council of Canadians celebrates historic win for public health
February 27, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA – The federal government has reached a pharmacare agreement with Manitoba, making it the first province to sign a formal bilateral deal for the new national drug plan.
The Council of Canadians’ Trade and Privatization Campaigner, Nikolas Barry-Shaw, has issued the following statement:
“We have never needed pharmacare more than we do now. Millions of Canadians could soon find themselves out of work because of Trump’s tariffs – and without access to drug insurance. The insanity of tying people’s drug coverage to their jobs could not be clearer. We need to make medicines part of our public health care system, and this deal with Manitoba is an important step towards that goal. Hopefully, it will be the first of many more to come.”
“Every delay by the provinces is a win for Big Pharma and a betrayal of millions of Canadians who are forced to skip medications because they can’t afford them. Canadians are counting on their provincial leaders not to play politics with their health and to make public, universal pharmacare a reality.”
“Canadians overwhelmingly want their premiers to move on pharmacare, as Manitoba has. This first phase of pharmacare will save lives, it will save money, and it will strengthen our faltering health care system. What are the other provinces waiting for?”
For interviews please contact Nikolas Barry-Shaw directly:
nbarryshaw@canadians.org
1(514)825-2263
Background:
A June 2024 Environics survey (p. 21) found that 80% of Canadians want their premiers work with the federal government to implement pharmacare.
Since the introduction of the Pharmacare Act, provinces have seen a significant increase in corporate lobbying from Big Pharma and the insurance industry—the two industries with the most profit to lose from a universal, single-payer pharmacare program.
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The Council of Canadians brings people together through collective action and grassroots organizing to challenge corporate power and advocate for people, the planet and our democracy.
For more than 35 years, the Council has fought for values based on fair and sustainable trade, clean water, climate justice, democracy and stronger public health care.
The Council of Canadians is a registered non-profit organization and does not accept money from corporations or governments.
CONTACT:
Eagleclaw Thom
1(613)404-2004
media@canadians.org
