Unions mark Labour Day by committing to win Pharmacare for all workers
Labour Day Message from Michael Eso President, Victoria Labour Council
B eing Canadian means that if you get sick you can get treated, regardless of where you live or how much you make. Or at least it should be that way.
The problem is that we have a massive gap in our public healthcare system when it comes to prescription drug coverage - a gap that’s left 3.5 million Canadians unable to afford the medications they need. Even if you’re not directly affected, you probably know someone who is.
Canada’s current patchwork prescription drug system is inefficient and so expensive that only the US has higher costs. Plus, our inconsistent coverage and uneven access to certain drugs mean that people often pay different rates for the same medications. It just doesn’t make sense.
That’s why Canada’s unions are marking Labour Day with a campaign for a universal prescription drug plan that covers all Canadians. It’s part of our legacy. Unions were there in 1962 to support the establishment of public healthcare under Tommy Douglas in Saskatchewan. We were there in 1966, when Medicare went national. And ever since then, we’ve been pushing – not just for better health insurance coverage for our members, but for better public coverage for everyone.
Today, about 8.4 million working Canadians don’t have prescription drug coverage. Younger workers and women are most affected because they’re more likely to work part-time, low-wage or precarious jobs. But even Canadians who have coverage through work are paying more and more out of pocket because of ever-increasing co-payments and deductibles.
A universal prescription drug plan means evening the playing field for all workers. It’s time for Canada to catch up with countries like New Zealand, where a public authority negotiates drug prices on behalf of the entire country – there, a year’s supply of the anti-cholesterol drug, Lipitor, costs just $15 a year. In Canada? $811.
In fact, Canada is the only developed country with a public health care plan that doesn’t include prescription drug coverage. An annual investment of $1 billion by the federal government would mean Canadians save $7.3 billion a year on the medications they need. By combining the purchasing power of all Canadians under one plan, we can save money and keep all Canadians healthy.
This isn’t a controversial idea: A 2015 Angus Reid poll found 91 per cent of Canadians believe our public health care system should include a universal prescription drug plan. Several national health care commissions have recommended the same, along with the Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, Canadian Doctors for Medicare, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and many more.
This Labour Day, Canada’s unions are committing to making this crucial issue our priority too. Workers and their unions will unite with health care advocates in communities across the country to launch our campaign for universal prescription drug coverage for all Canadians under the banner “Pharmacare: A Plan for Everyone.”
Once again this year, the Victoria Labour Council invites everyone to join us on the B.C. Legislature grounds to celebrate Labour Day.
Monday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. B.C. Legislature Lawn
We are excited to have a great local band, The Timebenders, back to provide entertainment for this year’s festivities. There will also be games, clowns, a bouncy castle and snacks for kids. Please join us – Happy Labour Day!