OTTAWA—A renewed commitment to develop a universal national pharmacare program and to boost child care will be major pieces of the federal Liberal government’s throne speech agenda, the Star has learned. It also means more health investments going forward.”Like child care, any pharmacare program requires agreements with provinces, and “there could be early movers among provinces on it,” said the official. But several provinces say their priority is for Ottawa to increase the money it transfers directly to them for health care, and they oppose a sweeping new drug program. Quebec and Alberta want an “opt out” provision, that would allow them to decline to participate in a national program while still receiving their share of the money. Both child care and pharmacare are on the NDP’s list of policy priorities, also on the wish list of many in the organized labour movement.

Source: thestar September 14, 2020 15:28 UTC