August 26 2025
Public health advocates are sounding the alarm after the Carney government signaled a retreat from implementing the Pharmacare Act (Bill C-64) nationwide. Health Minister Marjorie Michel called this a “new government in a new context,” and a spokesperson confirmed Ottawa would only ‘protect’ agreements with British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
Several provinces and territories have expressed openness to negotiation but report little to no engagement from Ottawa. The Pharmacare Act became law less than a year ago. There is no justification for the federal government to ignore legislation it just passed and reject the provinces it previously urged to come to the table.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), representing 450,000 workers including many in public health care, calls on the federal government to respect the law, honour its promises, and negotiate to implement pharmacare in all provinces and territories.
“Our union has long advocated for public health care and its expansion to include pharmacare, long-term care, and dental care,” said NUPGE President Bert Blundon. “We strongly supported the Pharmacare Act. While limited, it is a good first step that must be expanded nationwide. The Liberal government must fulfill its promises to Canadians by respecting the law.”
Canadians Did Not Vote for Two-Tier Health Care
The Pharmacare Act committed the federal government to a single-payer, first-dollar coverage model, starting with contraception and diabetes medications. It came with $1.5 billion in initial funding and laid the groundwork for expansion through expert panels and national formulary development.
Yet today, with only four jurisdictions covered, over 80% of Canadian women are excluded from contraception coverage, and access to diabetes medication depends on where you live.
“That’s not universality, it’s inequality,” said Blundon. “Canadians will not stand for a two-tier health care system and women and diabetes patients deserve better from this government.”
The federal government’s inaction places pharmacare in jeopardy. Existing agreements with the three provinces and one territory only extend for four years, with no clear contingency or renewal plan. This short-sightedness undermines a national rollout and leaves millions at risk of exclusion.
Twisted Priorities
The federal government is announcing large spending initiatives regularly but is silent on pharmacare, a program that would save lives and reduce national health care costs by billions.
Canada is the only country with universal health care that excludes prescription drug coverage, and Canadians continue to pay some of the highest drug prices in the world.
The evidence is clear: pharmacare saves lives and saves money. Enough with delays and half-measures. The time for action is now.
NUPGE’s Demands
- Prime Minister Carney and Health Minister Michel must recommit to negotiating pharmacare agreements across all provinces and territories.
- Minister Michel must prioritize collaboration with the Canada’s Drug Agency and the appointed Committee of Experts, and provide a clear public timeline for expanding pharmacare.
- The upcoming federal budget must include new funding which can support the current commitments as well as progress toward expansion.
No province should be left behind. No patient should be denied access to essential medications. The law has passed, it must be implemented.
Send a message today: sign the Canadian Health Coalition’s pharmacare action before the September Liberal Party caucus.