CUPE members, health care workers and public health advocates gathered in Ottawa from February 24-25, 2025, to highlight the urgent issue of protecting Canada’s universal public health care system from privatization. 

The SOS Medicare 3.0 conference was hosted by the Canadian Health Coalition and co-sponsored by CUPE, alongside the Canadian Labour Congress and other health care unions.  

Federal Health Minister Mark Holland gave the latest updates to Canada’s federal health care programs, beginning with pharmacare. Thanks to the NDP leveraging their power over the Liberal government, millions of Canadians will now have access to life-saving medications like diabetes drugs and contraceptives for free. 

Holland stated that the first bilateral agreement was coming soon. On February 27, 2025, it was announced that Manitoba was the first province to sign on to a pharmacare deal. Their agreement promises $219 million over four years for universal coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medications, devices, and supplies. 

Following Holland, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh took a clear stand against the threats to Canadian Medicare. He denounced Trump’s claim that Canadians would have better health care if Canada was a U.S. state and warned about Pierre Poilievre’s connections to U.S. corporations who own for-profit hospitals. He railed against violations of the Canada Health Act and promised to close loopholes, such as patients being charged for medically necessary care delivered virtually.  

CUPE members were proud to share their work on the frontlines to stop health care privatization. Cora Mojica, a food services worker and HEU member, spoke about the union’s 2021 victory when contracted out hospital support was brought back in house under the BC NDP government. Registered Practical Nurse and president of CUPE 6364, Pam Parks moderated a panel on protecting Medicare and fighting privatization. 

The conference also featured political action training by the CLC to help attendees to defend Canadian Medicare.  

Act now to keep profit out of health care! Join CUPE’s Public Solutions campaign.