After decades of campaigning and struggle by activists, allies, and CUPE members, Canada finally has the framework for a national single payer pharmacare program. The Senate passed the bill through its third reading on October 10th, putting it on its path to receive royal assent and becoming law.
Thanks to the NDP leveraging their power over the Liberal government, millions of Canadians will now be able to access life-saving medications like diabetes medications and contraceptives for free. This is a big victory for all Canadians, but we can’t let our guard down.
With a federal election on the horizon, we must continue to organize to ensure that this benefit reaches the people who need it. We need to make sure that when we go to the polls, we are electing a government that will not only ensure pharmacare is implemented but will also work to expand it.
The Liberals promised pharmacare for decades, but always cave to big pharmaceutical companies. It was only after the NDP forced the Liberals to deliver that any progress was made. Pierre Poilievre and his Conservatives have fought against pharmacare at every step and would jeopardize the program in its infancy if they form government.
In this historic moment, CUPE members will continue to mobilize with our allies, not only to cement this major victory for all Canadians in the present, but to safeguard and grow it in the future.