26.25°C Vancouver

Oct 16, 2023 6:30 PM - The Canadian Press

Pharmacare ultimatum: NDP votes to withdraw from Liberal deal

Share On
pharmacare-ultimatum-ndp-votes-to-withdraw-from-liberal-deal
And that if the NDP ends up walking away from the deal over the issue, then it is ready to make it a ballot-box issue in the next campaign. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The federal New Democrats plan to make pharmacare a central issue in the next election if the Liberals do not meet the bar the opposition party has set for legislation to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

The confidence-and-supply deal that sees the NDP supporting the minority Liberals on key votes in the House of Commons says the government will introduce a bill to create a framework for national pharmacare this year.

NDP members have drawn a line in the sand by passing an emergency resolution at their policy convention in Hamilton this weekend that

says the party should withdraw its support if the Liberals do not commit to ``a universal, comprehensive and entirely public pharmacare program.''

The New Democratic Party's national director, Anne McGrath, says getting a bill that has teeth will be her party's biggest priority as parliamentarians return to the House of Commons following a Thanksgiving break.

And that if the NDP ends up walking away from the deal over the issue, then it is ready to make it a ballot-box issue in the next campaign.

The NDP's health critic, Don Davies, say pulling out of the deal does not mean the party will push to trigger an election, but instead would consider whether to support Liberal legislation one vote at a time.

Latest news

BCAug 25, 2025

Langley RCMP: Catalytic converter thefts on the rise

The Langley RCMP is advising the public of a noticeable increase in catalytic converter thefts across the community in recent weeks. Catalytic converters are targeted because of the precious metals they contain and replacing a stolen one can be costly for vehicle owners. Thieves often target vehicles parked in driveways, unsecured lots, and on quiet streets, usually during the night or early morning hours, said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP. Larger vehicles such as SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans are especially vulnerable due to their higher ground clearance. What you can do to prot
proposed-changes-will-make-it-easier-for-families-to-navigate-legal-system
BCAug 25, 2025

Proposed changes will make it easier for families to navigate legal system

The Province is intending to propose changes to the Family Law Act (FLA) to give more support to families and people experiencing family violence and to offer more parenting arrangements that put children’s needs first. The proposed changes come from a policy paper developed during Phase 2 of the multi-year review of the Family Law Act. The FLA is the main law that deals with family violence, guardianship, parenting duties, support payments and dividing property after a separation. The review looks at how the law can better reflect today’s society and recent court decisions. “This is the
punjabi-truck-driver-involved-in-crash-and-accused-of-being-in-us-illegally-denied-bail
WorldAug 25, 2025

Punjabi truck driver involved in crash and accused of being in US illegally, denied bail

A Florida judge on Saturday denied bail to truck driver Harjinder Singh in connection with a fatal crash in Fort Pierce. Harjinder was arrested on August 16 in connection with the August 12 crash. Investigators say Singh attempted to make an illegal U-turn with his semitruck, which caused a minivan to collide with a trailer, killing all three occupants. The Trump administration says Harjinder Singh, 28, was in the United States illegally and entered the United States illegally from Mexico in 2018. He is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail. Judge Lauren Sweet denied bail, saying that Har
human-remains-discovered-in-burned-vehicle-near-kamloops-b-c-rcmp
BCAug 25, 2025

Human remains discovered in burned vehicle near Kamloops, B.C.: RCMP

Police in Kamloops, B.C., say human remains were found in a burned out vehicle on a road north of the city on Saturday. Mounties say the Tk’emlups Rural RCMP responded to a reported vehicle fire on Tranquille-Criss Creek Road, where they found a burned black 2019 Volkswagen Golf that they believe was stolen. They say officers found human remains inside the car, and the region's major crime unit is now investigating the suspicious death. Staff Sgt. Jason Smart with the Southeast District Major Crime Unit says they're looking for the public's assistance to figure out what led to the fire and d
negotiations-set-to-resume-between-canada-post-union
CanadaAug 25, 2025

Negotiations set to resume between Canada Post, union

Negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are set to resume. A Canada Post spokeswoman says in a statement that the Crown corporation is committed to the collective bargaining process with CUPW and to reaching an agreement. She says Canada Post is reviewing CUPW's offers and has requested further details to support the process, adding it is in regular contact with CUPW through federal mediators. Canada Post's comments come after negotiations that had been scheduled for Friday were delayed. CUPW said in a press release a day earlier that it was informed by Canada

Related News