The Council of Canadians, AccessBC and more than 60 organizations are calling on the federal government to recommit to national pharmacare after Health Minister Marjorie Michel said funding for the program is “set to end in the coming years.” The groups are urging Ottawa to make existing pharmacare agreements permanent and resume negotiations with provinces and … Read more
The Council of Canadians issued a statement claiming that a “massive lobbying offensive” by the insurance industry is behind the federal government’s decision to freeze funding for the national pharmacare program. The organization cites federal lobbying records showing that firms like Manulife, Sun Life, and Canada Life held 53 meetings on pharmacare with government officials, … Read more
The Council of Canadians is warning that Budget 2025 may prioritize arms spending and corporate interests while cutting essential public services. Executive Director Dru Oja Jay stated, “The biggest threat to our democracy isn’t foreign powers—it’s billionaires capturing our government,” pointing to corporate lobbying and rising military budgets as signs of U.S.-style austerity. The Council … Read more
The Council of Canadians is warning that the Liberal government is jeopardizing national pharmacare by preparing $25 billion in cuts to fund increased military spending. It highlights that only three provinces and one territory have signed deals for universal diabetes and contraceptives coverage so far, leaving four out of five Canadians without coverage under the … Read more
The Council of Canadians, World Beyond War and allies are calling on Prime Prime Minister Mark Carney (Nepean, Ont.) to reject any Canadian participation in U.S. President Donald Trump’s recently announced “Golden Dome” project. Nikolas Barry-Shaw, trade and privatization campaigner at the Council of Canadians, stated: “We shouldn’t even be considering signing up for the Golden Dome. … Read more
In light of the crisis created by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Council of Canadians calls on governments at every level to immediately take action to defend the integrity of our country and the well-being of everyone who lives in this land. Strengthen and expand the safety net for Canadians affected by Trump’s aggression Create a national strategy … Read more
In a statement, the Council of Canadians (COC) indicated that “Trump’s tariff threat shows the failure of ‘free trade’ promise,” and that “Leaders must disentangle Canada from U.S. economy to rebuild democracy.” COC Economic Justice Specialist Nik-Barry Shaw commented, “Even though Canada has made incredible concessions through trade deals to gain access to American markets, Trump is … Read more
Council of Canadians Chairperson John Cartwright issued the following statement: “The Council of Canadians joins with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in condemning the decision of the federal Minister of Labour to utilize the Canada Labour Code to have the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) determine if CUPW and Canada Post can negotiate a tentative agreement […] … Read more
The Council of Canadians is pleased that the newly announced Committee of Experts on national pharmacare will be free of corporate interference—a crucial step toward ensuring a program focused on public health over private profits. “This announcement marks another major victory for defenders of single-payer pharmacare,” said Christina Warner, executive director of the Council of Canadians. “After failing … Read more
The Council of Canadians is offering spokespeople available to comment on the Senate vote on pharmacare and on what lies ahead if the bill receives royal assent. Spokespeople include pharmacare campaigner and researcher Nikolas Barry-Shaw and Council of Canadians Director of Communications Donya Ziaee. Council of Canadians pharmacare resources are available online. For the full release contact media@canadians.org … Read more
