Carney Won’t Commit to Pharmacare—Singh and the NDP Will Fight so Every Canadian Has the Medicine They Need

Today, Mark Carney was asked if he would expand the pharmacare program that was secured by Jagmeet Singh and the NDP in the last parliament. Currently only three provinces and one territory have signed deals.

Carney refused to commit: “I think those broader judgments will take place in the... if there were to be an expansion, it's in the context of decisions around a range of... a range of priorities.” (Video)

Carney has promised to “spend less” and balance the “operating” budget in three years. The operating budget funds health transfers to provinces. Cuts to the operating budget will put the pharmacare program and core health services at risk.

At the same time, Carney is promising a capital gains tax that only helps the wealthiest 0.13% of Canadians and will cost the treasury $17.4 billion over five years—money that could be used for services working and middle-class families rely on.

Canada's NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said:

“We know Canadians are struggling with the cost of drugs because they're getting gouged by big drug companies. Trump’s trade war is making it worse. But today, Mark Carney refused to commit to expanding pharmacare at the same time he is promising a $17 billion tax cut that only helps millionaires and billionaires. That’s wrong.

“Every New Democrat elected will fight every day to protect our health care and make sure no one has to skip the medicine they need – just like we did in the last parliament when we forced the Liberals to take the first steps toward universal Pharmacare and when we delivered dental care for millions of Canadians.

“This is what this election comes down to—when Donald Trump puts the pressure on Canada, when costs rise, and when decisions need to be made—only New Democrats will fight to protect you.”