Health minister says he's on track to strike pharmacare deals with provinces by spring

It is "absolutely possible" for the federal government to reach pharmacare agreements with all provinces by spring, Health Minister Mark Holland said on Friday.

Speaking from the G7 health ministers' meeting in Ancona, Italy, Holland acknowledged the challenges ahead, saying, "I'm not saying this is going to be easy," but emphasized the significance of getting Bill C-64 through Parliament and the Senate, which he called "incredibly difficult."

Bill C-64, which sets the groundwork for a universal pharmacare plan, passed in the Senate on Thursday and received royal assent, making it law. The legislation enables the government to negotiate agreements with provinces and territories to include diabetes and birth-control medications under the public health system.

Holland said ongoing discussions with provinces have been "very positive" and hinted that his government is "in a position where we can announce deals in the near future."

However, some provinces have expressed concerns. In February, Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange voiced dissatisfaction with the proposed bill, which was part of the Liberals' deal with the NDP under their supply-and-confidence agreement. LaGrange argued that Alberta already has "robust" medication coverage through programs like Alberta Blue Cross and suggested that Ottawa should provide per-capita funding to enhance existing programs instead of creating new bureaucracy.

"Give us the dollars," LaGrange said. "Allow us to enhance the programs we actually have now, rather than create more bureaucracy."

'The Canadian population wants it to get done': Holland

Despite provincial reservations, Holland remains optimistic about the spring timeline, pointing to his strong working relationships with provincial counterparts such as Saskatchewan's Everett Hindley and Alberta's LaGrange. "I think with that spirit, it absolutely is possible to get this done," he said, adding that Canadians "want it to get done" because there is broad recognition that the gap in the health-care system needs to be addressed.

While there may be disagreements over how best to deliver medications, Holland emphasized that both the federal government and provinces agree on the necessity of providing diabetes medication and contraceptives.

The federal government has already signed a memorandum of understanding with British Columbia, which Holland said outlines the general framework for a future deal but lacks specific details. "The memorandum of understanding with British Columbia was really essential, very important," Holland noted, explaining that it helped demonstrate to the Senate and the public how such deals might operate.

1st Step in a Broader Pharmacare Plan

In British Columbia, oral contraceptives are already covered, so federal funding will instead be used to support hormone therapy for women.

The Pharmacare Act represents the first phase of a larger pharmacare initiative, which is expected to expand over time to include additional medications.

As the country heads toward an election within the next year, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has opposed the proposed single-payer universal drug plan, arguing it would force Canadians to abandon their private drug plans.

In February, federal officials stated that the exact cost of this first phase of the pharmacare program is still unknown, as it will depend on negotiations with provinces and territories. When asked, Holland estimated the cost of providing diabetes medications and contraception at $1.5 billion.