Press release
Royal Assent for Bill C-64 on the implementation of a Canadian prescription drug insurance plan
11 October 2024
A great victory for workers and the poulation
Montréal, October 11, 2024. – The Quebec Federation of Labour (QFL) welcomes the adoption of Bill C-64, which lays the groundwork for a universal public drug insurance plan. The Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP have demonstrated that, with political will, it is possible to improve the social safety net in the population’s interests.
“This new law lays the groundwork for a future universal public drug plan by making prescription oral contraceptives and diabetes medications available. We must now, still within the framework of the law, cover all prescription drugs for the entire Canadian population, who must no longer have to choose, for financial reasons, between taking their medication, paying their rent or feeding their family,” says QFL President Magali Picard.
“In Quebec, the hybrid public-private plan is inefficient and outdated, and jurisdictional squabbles must not be used to deprive the population of much-needed medication. With a universal, public plan, Quebec could save between $1 and $3 billion a year. Instead of returning to austerity after a record $11 billion deficit, the QFL believes it would be in Quebec’s best interest to sit down with the federal government to obtain the funds needed to set up a universal, public drug insurance plan. This measure is good for social justice and public finances. What is the CAQ government waiting for to act?
“With this in mind, it would be immoral for the CAQ to deprive Quebecers of universal access to prescription drugs, hence the urgency of reaching an agreement with Ottawa,” concludes Magali Picard.
Source: FTQ
For further information :
| Jean Laverdière | Phone: 514 893-7809 | E-mail: jlaverdiere@ftq.qc.ca |