“Our health care deals are already helping people get free birth control and diabetes medicine in British Columbia. We cannot move as fast as the member wants because we must consider the budget, foreign drug supplies, and our talks with the provinces.”

“Mr. Speaker, my friend the member for Courtenay—Alberni has long been a strong advocate for better health outcomes in his community and across Canada, and I am honoured and fortunate to work with him in the House for the betterment of Canadian health outcomes. Those outcomes are possible thanks to our investments in health care, just as yesterday’s spring economic statement was our government’s next step in our plan to build a stronger, more independent and resilient Canada. We know that we are only stronger and more resilient if we have healthy Canadians, which is something I think everybody here agrees on. That is why our government came to office with the pledge to protect existing pharmacare agreements. We know the role that they play in keeping Canadians healthy. In fact, starting last month, my colleague’s constituents in British Columbia are seeing the effects of their province’s pharmacare agreements first-hand, since it came into effect on March 1. Thanks to this agreement, more Canadians have free and low-cost access to a range of contraceptives; Canadians living with diabetes can get essential, life-saving drugs for their condition; and Canadians are keeping more money in their pockets while improving their health outcomes. I know the member opposite would like us to go full speed ahead, but recent years have taught us that we need to be mindful of the broader context, both within Canada and beyond our borders, as we make decisions and as we consider the changing fiscal environment, how policy decisions in other countries impact our pharmaceutical supply and what we hear from our provincial and territorial partners. All of these things matter. For our part, our government will continue to control what we can. That means working closely with our health partners, including provinces, territories and indigenous people, to see how we can help them deliver health care for all Canadians. As we have always said, we cannot build Canada strong without healthy Canadians.”

“Our government is investing in health care. We are protecting deals that give people free birth control and needed medicines so they save money. I will keep working with everyone to make our health care system better.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to make it very clear that it is never an inconvenience but always an honour to come to the House and debate important issues. I am never dragged here, because it is also my honour to debate important issues and work on behalf of all Canadians for the betterment of their health with the member opposite. Our government remains committed to building Canada strong by investing in healthy Canadians. That means protecting pharmacare agreements that provide access to contraception and vital medications while also keeping more money in the pockets of Canadians. We will continue to work with our partners on all sides, including the member opposite, to build a health care system that meets the needs of Canadians.”

• Didn't answer
  ?

  Reply to a debate question

  Relevance 47 of 100

  None of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

  See full analysis →