The NDPs are trying to get access to free pharmacare, starting with diabetes and contraception and most of British Columbians and Canadians are in favour of the initiative
According to a recent survey by Research Co., a BC-based statistics and analytics firm, 72% of British Columbia residents are in favour of this legislation.
However, less than half of BC respondents to this survey believe that the Liberal Party of Canada will be able to successfully roll this program out.
What really solidifies British Columbians’ attitude towards this initiative is the fact that when asked if the next government is a Conservative one, should the program be scrapped, only 16% of BC respondents agreed.
The Albertan government has already announced that they will be opting out of the national pharmacare program if Premier Danielle Smith is still in power.
This is despite the fact that the funding would be entirely federal and individual provinces would only have to administer the funding, according to Laurel Collins, Victoria’s NDP MP.
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Research Co. asked people from every province if they think their provincial government should opt out of the pharmacare program.
To this question, BC responded with the lowest percentage. According to the survey, only 15% of British Columbians would have the province opt out of the program.
Alberta was the next lowest, even though their Premier is already keen to opt out. Only 24% of Albertans say they would agree with an opt out.
Quebecers who took the survey had the highest percentage of people who would like to opt out of the program with 35% saying they don’t want it.
However, Quebec already has a number of pharmacare policies in place which cover some medications under the provincial health authority.
When it comes to what medications BC respondents think should be covered by the pharmacare program in addition to diabetes dedication and contraceptives, the following show what they would like to see covered:
- Pain relievers – 65%
- Anticoagulants – 68%
- Antibiotics – 82%
- Cholesterol lowering medication – 86%
- Blood pressure medication – 90%
- Antidepressants – 75%
- Vitamins – 42%
- Nutritional supplements – 39%
Currently, the legislation initiated by the federal NDPs is in the early stages, having just been given its first reading.
From here, it will have to go through its second reading in which the House of Commons will debate the bill, then it would go to committee where experts would work with the government to amend the bill to have it be most effective.
Then it would be given its third reading, go to senate and receive royal assent.
The NDPs say that a pharmacare plan of this magnitude has been a cornerstone of the Liberal platform since 1997, and they want to hold them accountable.
