Jagmeet Singh is urging Liberals to cover contraceptives for all Canadians as part of pharmacare proposal

COQUITLAM, B.C. – On Friday, Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, joined by NDP MP MP Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody-Coquitlam) and NDP candidate for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Laura Dupont, reiterated his call on the Trudeau government to cover the cost of contraceptives for all Canadians.

This is part of Singh’s push to deliver a pharmacare framework for people across the country which the NDP leader made clear, the Liberals don’t want to do for Canadians.

“Everyone should have access to the medication they need with their health card, not their credit card. But right now, nearly one in four Canadians have reported splitting pills, skipping doses, or deciding not to renew or fill their prescriptions due to high costs,” said Singh. “People need this coverage to stay healthy and to save money.

“The Liberals have promised Pharmacare for 30 years – but they cave into the interests’ of Big Pharma and big Insurance companies every time. The Trudeau Liberals have met with big Pharma and big insurance companies 264 times in less than two years. It’s clear that Liberals don’t want to do Pharmacare; they are more interested in continuing to waste money on private consultant scandals. And Canadians can’t count on Pierre Poilievre – his team is full of lobbyists for big pharma. He will protect their profits over helping Canadians with the cost of their medication.”

Several women from the Tri-Cities including local pharmacy owner, Shirin Asgari, City Councillor for Port Moody, Amy Lubik, and School Board trustee in Tri Cities, Jennifer Blatherwick, joined Singh to discuss the impact the B.C. government is having in their communities by offering free contraception.

“Clearly, making contraception free across the country will save a lot of money for women. It will make their lives easier, and it will cut down on costs in our healthcare system,” said Singh. “Right now, the NDP is fighting to make this happen across the country. It is time to give women a break. The NDP is not fighting for Big Pharma, we are fighting for you.”