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Earlier this week, a local constituent asked me, “Is it true the federal government is now backing away from pharmacare?”

As a Member of Parliament, I regularly receive questions from citizens on a wide range of topics. However, this particular question was one I hadn’t encountered before.

As is often the case, research is required—especially given the vast scope of the federal government and the reality that many policy decisions, particularly those that may be controversial or unpopular, aren’t always announced through official press releases.

So, let’s return to the question: “Is it true the federal government is now backing away from pharmacare?”

This wasn’t a coffee shop rumour. It was reported in a national media outlet under the headline: “Health advocates shocked as Carney Liberals back away from pharmacare program.”

To answer this properly, some background is necessary. The previous Liberal government, with strong support from the NDP, passed Bill C-64, titled “An Act respecting Pharmacare.”

The opening summary of Bill C-64 states: “This enactment sets out the principles that the Minister of Health is to consider when working towards the implementation of national universal pharmacare…”

This was a key clarification: the bill did not establish a national pharmacare plan, contrary to what some media outlets mistakenly reported at the time—and continue to suggest.

Instead, Bill C-64 states: “The Minister may, if the Minister has entered into an agreement with a province or territory to do so, make payments to the province or territory in order to increase any existing public pharmacare coverage…”

This clause is significant. It explicitly allows the federal government to provide funding to provinces to enhance their existing pharmacare programs—most of which, including B.C.’s, are already in place.

Following the passage of Bill C-64, that’s exactly what happened. The former federal government signed agreements with B.C., P.E.I., Yukon, and Manitoba to cover certain medications for a four-year period. These agreements focused on expanding access to contraceptives and diabetes medications, with $1.5 billion allocated over five years.

It’s worth noting that any federal government can enter into financial agreements with provinces at any time, provided Parliament approves the spending. I made this point during debate: Bill C-64 was not strictly required for such agreements.

So, what has changed to prompt headlines like “Health advocates shocked as Carney Liberals back away from pharmacare program”? Formally, nothing has changed.

The concern seems to stem from the fact that the current federal Liberal government has not signed similar agreements with the remaining provinces and territories—and when asked, has not committed to doing so. They have not formally stated they are abandoning the legislation. The new Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to protect existing deals but has cited budget constraints and shifting priorities as reasons for not expanding them.

Health advocacy groups such as the Canadian Health Coalition and Diabetes Canada have publicly expressed concern over the lack of progress and transparency in implementing the next phase of pharmacare.

In my view, a more accurate headline would be: “Lack of progress on pharmacare deals raises concerns.”

It also raises the issue of regional fairness and those Canadians who believe a national program should not depend on where you live as to whether you get the benefit of it. For those who live with the costs of diabetes and are not in these provinces may question and see this as a broken promise by the Carney Liberals who campaigned on National Pharmacare.

I chose to address this topic in this week’s report to provide context for those who may have heard about these concerns and have questions. It’s also a reminder that your local MLAs and MPs are here to help clarify government policies and decisions—and to provide accurate information.

My question this week: Are you concerned about these developments on the so-called National Pharmacare program?

You can reach me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or call toll-free at 1-800-665-8711.

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Dan Albas is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Okanagan Lake West - South Kelowna, Shadow Minister for Transport and the Vice Chair of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Dan's riding includes the communities of Kelowna (Mission, South Kelowna & East Kelowna within specific boundaries), West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland.
You can reach Dan by calling 1-800-665-8711, emailing [email protected] or please visit: DanAlbasMP.ca
Our mailing address is:
Dan Albas MP
101-3731 Old Okanagan Hwy
West Kelowna, British Columbia V4T 0G7
Canada

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