Hamilton, ON – A re-elected Liberal government will make sure every Canadian has access to a family doctor, to mental health services, to affordable prescription drugs, and to national pharmacare.
The Liberal Party states, “Canada’s health care system is a source of pride, but too many people still slip through the cracks. Today, nearly five million Canadians have no access to a family physician or a primary care team. All of us know someone who has gone through a mental health issue – but many people can’t get the help they need because it costs too much or the wait time is too long. And nearly one million Canadians skimp on food and heat to be able to pay for the medications they depend on, from insulin to inhalers”.
“No one should go without the care they need because they don’t have access to a family doctor. And no one should have to give up food and heat to be able to pay for health care – whether it’s insulin, inhalers, or mental health support,” said the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau. “We’re going to close the gaps in the health care system, and make sure people can get the care they need when they need it most.”
Thunder Bay Superior-North Liberal candidate Patty Hadju says, “Canada’s healthcare system is a source of pride, but many people still can’t afford their prescription medication or don’t have access to a family doctor – especially in Northwestern Ontario. As a former public health professional, I understand the very serious consequences of when people don’t have access to healthcare. Over the last four years, we strengthened healthcare for Canadians by investing more in mental health services and home care, and today’s announcement builds on the work we’ve accomplished. A re-elected Liberal government will help ensure that everyone can find a family doctor, that more people have access to mental health services, and that everyone can afford the medication they need.”
“I am thrilled the Liberal party has made this new commitment to improve health care in Canada. This is at the core of my own campaign. Every shift at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, I see the effects of untreated mental illness. A desire to do more about untreated mental illness, addictions and poverty is what prompted me to enter politics. I look forward to going to Ottawa to make the case for extra help for the people of Thunder Bay-Rainy River,” adds Marcus Powlowski, the Liberal candidate in Thunder Bay-Rainy River.
Green Party candidate Bruce Hyer running in Thunder Bay-Superior North says, “The only way that Trudeau will actually do these ideas borrowed from the NDP and Greens is if there is a minority Liberal government with lots of NDP and Green MPs to keep him more honest and on track… exactly the way that Tommy Douglas forced Lester Pearson to create Medicare in a minority government.”
A re-elected Liberal government will make sure Canadians can afford and access lifesaving health care.
We will improve people’s access to health care by:
- ensuring that every Canadian can easily find a family doctor or primary care team;
- setting clear national standards for access to mental health services so Canadians can get the support they need quickly when they need it most; and
- continuing to make home care and palliative care more available to those who need it.
We will make sure everyone can afford the medications they need by:
- implementing Universal Pharmacare, so that all Canadians have the drug coverage they need at an affordable price;
- establishing the Canada Drug Agency to make drug purchasing more effective and efficient, and implementing a national formulary with partners to set prices; and
- bringing down the cost of lifesaving high-cost drugs for families through the Rare Disease Drug Strategy.
Our government has made some of the most needed, significant changes to Canada’s health care system in decades. Over the past four years, we have:
- helped more people access home care and mental health care through new health agreements with all the provinces and territories, allocating $11 billion in new funding;
- undertaken the most comprehensive overhaul of drug pricing in thirty years, which will save Canadians approximately $13 billion over the next decade;
- invested $500 million a year towards the creation of a rare disease drug strategy; and
- taken the first steps to building a national pharmacare system.
“In the future, the federal government will have to negotiate with the provinces and territories, as has always been the case, to reach new health accords,” said Mr. Trudeau. “When that time comes, who do you want at the negotiation table, standing up to Doug Ford? Andrew Scheer, who follows his lead – or our Liberal team, who will fight for you?”
