Poilievre can’t take away free medication for Canadians: NDP

COQUITLAM— On Monday, Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, joined by NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody—Coquitlam), called out Pierre Poilievre’s plan to take away free contraceptives and free diabetes medication from millions of Canadians.

Singh and Zarrillo were joined by Linda, a 69 year-old retiree living in Port Moody who has been living with Type One Diabetes for 44 years, and pays approximately $3000 out-of-pocket each year for diabetes-related medication and devices. While New Democrats are delivering free diabetes medication to help Canadians like Linda, Pierre Poilievre is doing everything he can to take it away.

“I’ve heard stories like Linda’s all across Canada. No one should go though the stress and worry she’s living with. No one should have to pay $3000 to stay healthy,” said Singh. “New Democrats fought to force the Liberal government to make diabetes medication and devices free for everyone who needs them. But, at the first chance he had in Parliament, Pierre Poilievre has tried to stop it. They have been clear: Conservatives want to kill Pharmacare. He wants to protect the profits of big pharma but doesn’t want Linda to get free medication—that’s the price of Poilievre.”

In the 2024 federal budget, New Democrats delivered free birth control for 9 million Canadians and diabetes medication for 3.7 million Canadians. Pierre Poilievre has not only been telling Canadians he’ll take it away, but he’s actively doing it. During the first day of debate on the bill to deliver life-saving medication, the Conservatives moved an amendment calling to block it.

“Canadians are struggling to afford their medication. It’s shameful that Pierre Poilievre wants to take away free diabetes medications that would help so many people stay healthy,” said Zarrillo. “He doesn’t have a problem throwing away $60 billion in corporate handouts but wants people like Linda to pay more for her diabetes medication. New Democrats are fighting back to ensure every diabetic Canadians can access the medication and devices they need. With the NDP, your life will be more affordable.”