Jagmeet Singh and the NDP’s plan to strengthen and expand the public health-care system to cover the costs of prescription drugs will save Northern families money on their essential medications, said local NDP candidates Nadia Verrelli (Sudbury) and Andréane Chénier (Nickel Belt).
While visiting Thunder Bay Friday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced an NDP government would immediately move forward with a plan to make free prescription medication available to everyone in Canada. His plan would save an average family $550 a year.
“Workers and their families who are facing the high cost of medications need this plan," said Verrelli.
Justin Trudeau had six years to help them, but he refused, the candidates said. He listened to big pharma and never lowered drug costs.
“It’s time to do better for families. Covering the costs of prescription drugs will provide relief for workers, families and businesses that have been struggling during this pandemic.”
“Northern families who have been working harder than ever to pay the bills while costs keep going up, need a break,” said Chénier. “New Democrats will eliminate the costs of their medications by bringing in pharmacare and universal coverage for all prescription medicines.”
Singh’s plan would expand healthcare to include quality prescription drug coverage for all Canadians, regardless of their job, age, location, health status or income, the candidates said.
By negotiating prices with pharmaceutical companies, an NDP government would help make prescription drugs free. This would also save provincial health systems money, help employers save money on employee benefits, and help Canadians stay healthy.
Canadians pay the third highest prices for prescription drugs in the world. Trudeau has failed to stand up to big pharmaceutical corporations and fight for regular families, said the press release.
Singh pledged to begin working with provinces immediately to deliver a universal, single-payer, public pharmacare program for all Canadians, with a target start date of 2022.
