September 24 2024

Ottawa – The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is calling on parliamentarians to prioritize the well-being of Canadians and resist Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s efforts to derail critical progress. 

Poilievre’s push for an election now shows concerning disregard for the needs of millions of Canadians who are counting on important measures such as the new Pharmacare legislation for much-needed relief. Stopping Parliament’s work now would kill the new legislation that is designed to ensure Canadians no longer have to choose between paying for basic necessities like food and rent, and buying contraception or vital medication for diabetes. 

“At a time when so many are struggling with high costs, the long-awaited Pharmacare program is a lifeline for those in need of essential medications,” said NUPGE President Bert Blundon. “It’s troubling that the Conservative leader’s first priority upon returning to Parliament is to undermine this life-changing progress. Whether he’s unaware or simply indifferent to the struggles of those in need, this is reckless.”

The Pharmacare Act passed in the House of Commons in June 2024 and is now going through the Senate. NUPGE, which represents over 425,000 workers, including more than 150,000 health care professionals, has been a vocal advocate for a national pharmacare program to ensure access to medication for all.

NUPGE is urging Parliamentarians to remain focused and ensure that the Pharmacare Act becomes law. “We’ve worked too long and hard to let this slip away,” Blundon said “The Pharmacare Act is just a first step toward improving our health care system. There is still much work ahead, and we can’t afford  to let political self-interest push us backward.”