Budget’s ‘slow rollout’ pharmacare funding leaves program vulnerable to change in governments, say policy experts

The Liberals know they need to ‘crawl before they run’ when getting provincial deals done, says former Liberal staffer Muhammed Ali. But it’s ‘a pipe dream’ they will be able to ‘show benefits before the 2025 election’ says former Ontario PC staffer Carly Bergamini.
Feds must expand pharmacare to include essential drugs for our deadliest diseases: cancer, heart conditions, and stroke

An expanded pharmacare framework offers a lifeline for millions of people in Canada. It is time for federal, provincial, and territorial governments to deliver it.
Protecting public health care has never been more important

National pharmacare will be extended to 3.7 million Canadians with diabetes and nine million Canadians of reproductive age.
All hands on deck for the future of health care

One major gap that health providers have identified in testimony before the Standing Committee on Health has been the lack of high-quality, comparable data across provinces and territories.
Getting everyone a ‘front door into the health system’: Jane Philpott weighs in on fixing health care, and her future in politics

‘I feel that it is a fundamental responsibility of anyone who is an elected official… to collaborate with other orders of government to be able to make sure that health care works,’ says the former health minister.
‘Overtaxed and overburdened’: cannabis industry suffocating under regulatory regime as feds take puff past excise relief in budget

Cannabis Council of Canada’s Paul McCarthy says he’s ‘bewildered’ at the feds’ lack of action despite growing calls from industry, experts, and a House committee.
National surgical wait times strategy needed

The long waits lead to more pain and suffering, further deterioration of joints, more challenging surgeries, and increased costs to the health system and economy.
Time for Poilievre to join a constructive pharmacare conversation

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have done their part as responsible opposition critics on this policy. Now it’s Pierre Poilievre’s turn.
House Health Committee calls for a national breast implant registry

Canada is the only G7 country without a national breast implant registry. March 29 marked the 120-day deadline for the government to respond to the House Health Committee’s recommendations for such a registry.
School food program should focus on healthy plant-based eating

The National School Food Program announcement is reason to celebrate, especially if it can help the shift to more plant-based consumption. Not only are there are big environmental, economic and health benefits from this shift, but it’s a reminder that the health and well-being of humans, animals, and the planet are interconnected.