Liberals ready to compromise,
but not on finances
(Ottawa) The future pharmacare program will have to take into account the government's finances, warns federal Health Minister Mark Holland. The New Democrats are threatening to withdraw their support for the minority Liberal government if they don't get a fully public, universal program that would exceed $10 billion a year.
"I think there are legitimate questions about what's possible within our fiscal framework and I think Canadians expect us to be cautious," Holland said as he arrived in Parliament on Monday.
He said he was willing to compromise, but would not say whether the government would comply with the New Democrats' ultimatum. The end of the agreement between the Liberals and the New Democrats could threaten the survival of Justin Trudeau's government for the first time since it was signed in 2022.
"We expect the Liberals to keep their promise. That's our red line," said New Democratic Party (NDP) health critic Don Davies.
NDP delegates at a convention in Hamilton over the weekend unanimously passed a resolution calling for the Liberals' bill, expected this fall, to lay the groundwork for a "universal, comprehensive and fully public" agenda. They reject any two-tier system that would include private insurance companies, as is currently the case in Quebec.
"In 1997, the Liberals promised Canadians public pharmacare during the election campaign," said Davies. On three occasions, delegates at their 2016, 2018 and 2021 conventions voted in favour. »
As time passes, the chances of a bill to create such a program being passed by the end of the year,
as provided for in the agreement, are diminishing.
Performance IndicatorsIf the New Democrats tear it apart as they threaten to do, the Bloc Québécois could end up with the balance of power. "It's going to give Quebec more leverage," said its leader Yves-François Blanchet.
He is prepared to support a bill on pharmacare only if the Quebec government can exercise its right to opt out with full compensation. "If Quebec doesn't have a cheque, it's clear that we won't go in favour of it," he said.
However, the federal government insists on linking performance indicators to the $196 million cheque it will pay to the provinces over 10 years for health care. It could therefore also decide to include conditions in the amounts that would eventually
be spent on prescription drug coverage.
A new analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Officer released Thursday estimates that implementing a universal, public pharmacare program across the country as early as January would cost $11.2 billion in the first year and rise to $13.5 billion five years later.
Savings of $1.4 billion would be generated in the first year because the government would be able to negotiate a wholesale price. They are expected to rise to $2.2 billion in 2027-2028.
"I think there are legitimate questions about what's possible within our fiscal framework and I think Canadians expect us to be cautious," Holland said as he arrived in Parliament on Monday.
He said he was willing to compromise, but would not say whether the government would comply with the New Democrats' ultimatum. The end of the agreement between the Liberals and the New Democrats could threaten the survival of Justin Trudeau's government for the first time since it was signed in 2022.
"We expect the Liberals to keep their promise. That's our red line," said New Democratic Party (NDP) health critic Don Davies.
NDP delegates at a convention in Hamilton over the weekend unanimously passed a resolution calling for the Liberals' bill, expected this fall, to lay the groundwork for a "universal, comprehensive and fully public" agenda. They reject any two-tier system that would include private insurance companies, as is currently the case in Quebec.
"In 1997, the Liberals promised Canadians public pharmacare during the election campaign," said Davies. On three occasions, delegates at their 2016, 2018 and 2021 conventions voted in favour. »
As time passes, the chances of a bill to create such a program being passed by the end of the year,
as provided for in the agreement, are diminishing.
Performance IndicatorsIf the New Democrats tear it apart as they threaten to do, the Bloc Québécois could end up with the balance of power. "It's going to give Quebec more leverage," said its leader Yves-François Blanchet.
He is prepared to support a bill on pharmacare only if the Quebec government can exercise its right to opt out with full compensation. "If Quebec doesn't have a cheque, it's clear that we won't go in favour of it," he said.
However, the federal government insists on linking performance indicators to the $196 million cheque it will pay to the provinces over 10 years for health care. It could therefore also decide to include conditions in the amounts that would eventually
be spent on prescription drug coverage.
A new analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Officer released Thursday estimates that implementing a universal, public pharmacare program across the country as early as January would cost $11.2 billion in the first year and rise to $13.5 billion five years later.
Savings of $1.4 billion would be generated in the first year because the government would be able to negotiate a wholesale price. They are expected to rise to $2.2 billion in 2027-2028.