Primary Country (Mandatory)

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • Singapore
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
      • USA TODAY
      • NBC News
      • CNBC
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
    • Singapore
      • CNA
      • The Straits Times
      • Lianhe Zaobao
The Liberals and NDP say they have a pharmacare deal — so what's left on their to-do list?

The Liberals and NDP say they have a pharmacare deal — so what's left on their to-do list?

CBC
Sunday, February 25, 2024 10:42:00 AM UTC

Now that the Liberals and New Democrats have announced they've reached an deal on pharmacare, the path is open for the parties to carry on a confidence-and-supply agreement that has helped to keep the government in power since March 2022.

The parties have reached agreements on several fronts but there are several items on the list that have yet to be completed.

The deal provides the minority Liberal government with the backing of New Democrat MPs on confidence and budgetary matters, staving off an early election. In exchange, the Liberals have agreed to move on several NDP policy priorities. Pharmacare was just one of them.

A pharmacare deal was a major NDP condition going into the confidence-and-supply agreement, which expires in June 2025.

The government missed the initial deadline for a pharmacare agreement — the end of 2023 — and set a new deadline of March 1.

In a Friday interview with CBC's Rosemary Barton Live airing Sunday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said weeks of talks between the two parties have produced draft legislation. He said this will set out a framework for a national pharmacare program and, in the short term, offer new coverage for contraception and diabetes treatment.

"We've secured something really important, I would say really historic for Canadians. We're really excited about this," Singh said.

Another notable aspect of the agreement was the dental-care plan unveiled in December of last year. The $13 billion national dental plan currently covers seniors aged 72 and older and will expand to all eligible, uninsured low- and middle-income Canadians by 2025.

The agreement led to the introduction of 10 days of paid sick leave for all federally regulated workers; that came into effect in December 2022.

The government also introduced a bill on replacement workers, C-58, referred to by union leaders and others as "anti-scab" legislation. It's currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons.

The bill — a major win for the NDP and the labour movement — would make it illegal for employers in federally regulated industries to bring in replacement workers during a legal strike or lockout.

The bill also would compel unions and employers to negotiate within 15 days of a notice of strike or lockout which services would continue in the event of a dispute. If they can't agree, the matter would be referred to the Canada Industrial Relations Board for a decision within 90 days.

The agreement also has led to legislation and new policies involving child care, reconciliation, housing, tax fairness and sustainable jobs.

But there's still more the federal government must do to meet its commitments to the NDP.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
More Related News
What Canada's only master sake sommelier says about serving sake in Niagara, the heart of wine country

To earn the title of master sake sommelier, Yoshi Takaoka says it's not just about knowledge, "we need to demonstrate how to serve the sake perfectly."

Meet the Colored People's Protective Association: Little-known history of Calgary's early Black community

Over 115 years ago, more than 150 members of Calgary’s Black community gathered at a venue called Eagle Hall on First Street S.W. for what a local newspaper called “one of the most successful balls of the season.”

Alberta poultry farmers brace for spring migration after last year's surge in avian flu cases

Spring is heralded by the return of geese, but to many in Alberta's poultry industry, migration means something different.

Here's a roundup of the Ford government's latest proposals ahead of Ontario's legislative return

Ontario's legislature is set to resume sitting Monday after a 14-week break that ended in a veritable deluge of news, partial proposals and headline-grabbing musings from Premier Doug Ford and his government.

These Guelph students landed a spot in the finals for the Hockey Innovation Competition

What started out as a class project has landed four University of Guelph students in the finals of the NHL and NHLPA Hockey Innovation Competition in Ottawa.

New musical based on Canadian TV show Polka Dot Door coming to Confederation Centre

A new generation of kids on Prince Edward Island will get a chance to peep through the Polka Dot Door this summer.

Mistissini, Que., team to tackle 1,000-km Grand défi cycling challenge

Five athletes from Mistissini are gearing up to ride 1,000 kilometres this summer as part of Quebec’s Grand défi cycling challenge, but first they need to raise $13,500 to support the ride.

New Toronto harm reduction program supports people with intellectual disabilities

A Toronto non-profit says it's launched the province's first harm reduction program for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Canadian companies could face big losses as change looms in Cuba

In Havana on Friday, Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío Domínguez argued that Canada should maintain the commercial relationship with Cuba that has made it the country's largest foreign investor after Spain.

Anti-war protest in St. John's highlights differing views on Iran war

About 100 people gathered outside the Colonial Building in St. John’s on Saturday for an anti-war rally. They were met with some counter-protesters, highlighting different views on the Iran war.

CAQ candidates get heated over shale gas, Third Link project in 1st official debate

The two candidates hoping to become Quebec's next premier in less than a month took part in a first official sparring match Saturday, with Christine Fréchette accusing her opponent of having a big ego and bringing the debate over shale gas back to the forefront.

Amanda Lathlin 'led with heart and conviction,' says Manitoba premier after northern MLA's death

Amanda Lathlin, the first First Nations woman to be elected to the legislative assembly in Manitoba's history, has died, the provincial NDP said on Saturday.  

'Fire-breathing dragons': Indian relay team from Sask. starts gearing up for Calgary Stampede

Colten Poitras describes Indian relay as an extreme sport.

New musical based on Canadian TV show Polka Dot Door coming to Confederation Centre

A new generation of kids on Prince Edward Island will get a chance to peep through the Polka Dot Door this summer.

Q&A: This wood artist is carving out a monument for some of London's black pioneers

This year marks 200 years since London was founded. As part of the bi-centennial, local carver Mary-Ann Jack-Bleach is paying tribute to some of the city's black pioneers. Once complete, the carving will be displayed at the Silverwoods Community Centre this fall. Jack-Bleach spoke with CBC Afternoon Drive host Matt Allen about the individuals being featured in the carving.

Trump threatens to hit Iran's power plants if Strait of Hormuz not reopened in 48 hours

Iran responded Sunday with threats of its own, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump warned the United States will "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran fails to fully open the Strait of Hormuz in 48 hours.

Kamloops offers free home FireSmart assessments, rebates for homeowners

In advance of what is expected to be a hot summer, the City of Kamloops is encouraging homeowners to request a free assessment of their properties to make sure they are resilient in the face of wildfire. 

Spring snowstorm expected to hit eastern Newfoundland Monday evening

Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.

'I feel like I've been ripped off': N.S. passenger gets cold shoulder from Porter Airlines

Daniel Doody says his trip to the Yukon earlier this month was ruined when he learned his luggage wouldn't arrive with him. 

Landmark Fredericton church needs $15M in repairs, diocese says

The future of a national historic site in Fredericton is up for discussion at meetings across New Brunswick in the next few weeks as the Anglican diocese considers what to do about costly repairs needed at Christ Church Cathedral.

Amber Alert ends after children found safe in Trois-Rivières, Que., area

EDITOR'S NOTE: CBC has removed the names and photo from this story. Now that the people are no longer missing, their identity is no longer in the public interest.

Brandon firefighter-paramedic union sounds alarm on ambulance transfers

Brandon’s firefighter-paramedic union is sounding the alarm about a new provincial directive it says could leave the city without local ambulances when residents need them most.

La Ronge family of doctors practice what they preach as athletes and volunteers

CBC's road trip series Land of Living Stories explores inspiring stories of community spirit from across Saskatchewan. In our latest visit, CBC-Radio Canada hit the road to La Ronge. This is the fifth of a multi-part series from that community.

Wildfire evacuations can be stressful. Here's how Albertans can prepare

Wildfire season has officially started in Alberta. As the snow starts to melt, people are starting to wonder: Will I have to evacuate this year? 

This Kentucky nurse practitioner is moving to B.C. in search of support, stability

Cassandra Lee is getting ready to pack up her home and family to move more than 3,200 kilometres across the Canada-U.S. border, in search of more "support" and "stability."

© 2008 - 2026 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us