Unifor activists push employers and municipalities to call for universal pharmacare

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As we ramp up the call for federal, provincial and territorial governments to take immediate action in instituting national pharmacare, more and more employers and municipalities are coming on board.

“Our workplaces and our communities are important stakeholders in the call for universal pharmacare,” said Katha Fortier, Assistant to the National President. “It is heartening to see the support for national pharmacare grow, and it gives us the momentum we need at this crucial juncture.”

People, organizations and voters across Canada are mobilizing to demand action from governments on universal pharmacare. An increasing number of employers and municipal officials recognize that Canada needs national pharmacare to succeed in a global economy, instead of the current bewildering patchwork of programs and plans that leaves many Canadians out. Consider presenting this municipal motion to your City Council, or this joint union-employer letter to your employer for their support in calling for national pharmacare.  

Below are some of the employers who are now proud supporters of universal pharmacare, having signed the joint union-employer letter in support of national prescription drug coverage. By signing the letter, these employers recognize that universal pharmacare will help benefit all of us, and the time for that change is now.

  1. Resolute
  2. Jervis B. Web Co in Mississauga, Ontario
  3. Gab Induspac in Candiac, Quebec
  4. Wilson Display in Brampton, Ontario
  5. Torstar Corporation in Toronto, Ontario
  6. Solvay in Niagara Falls, Ontario
  7. Bruce A. Smith Limited
  8. Genpak
  9. LP Canadian Operations
  10. Port Arthur Health Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario
  11. Post Media
  12. New Flyer Bus in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Unifor activists are also bringing the call for pharmacare to their municipalities. So far, these municipalities and municipal associations have endorsed a national pharmacare plan:

  • Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) (April 23, 2015)
  • Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) (June 2016)
  • Town of Marathon (April 13, 2015)
  • City of Hamilton (August 12, 2015)
  • Town of Ajax (September 14, 2015)
  • Region of Durham (November 4, 2015)
  • Regional Municipality of Peel (November 12, 2015)
  • Town of Whitby (November 23, 2015)
  • Township of Uxbridge (November 30, 2015)
  • City of Toronto (December 9, 2015)
  • Municipality of Clarington (December 15, 2015)
  • City of Kingston (March 22, 2016)
  • County of Peterborough (January 18, 2017)
  • Municipality of Huron East (February 7, 2017)
  • Township of O’Connor (February 13, 2017)
  • County of Prince Edward (March 14, 2017)
  • City of Brantford (March 21, 2017)
  • City of Thunder Bay (April 9, 2017)

“These city councils and organizations demonstrate a commitment to addressing the real harm that lack of universal access to prescription drugs causes,” said Andy Savela, Director of Health Care. “They are paving the way for others to also advocate for a universal pharmacare plan that would offer consistent coverage, leading to a healthier population as well as savings.”

The well-being of all people in our country forms the foundation of a healthy, engaged and economically vibrant community. Yet, Canada remains the only developed country with a universal health care system that has no universal prescription drug coverage.

The time to act is now – let the government know that we need an accessible, affordable and inclusive pharmacare plan that covers all Canadians, regardless of income, age, or where the person works or lives. Participate in the federal government’s online consultation and share your thoughts on how we can best implement pharmacare.

For more information, read this letter from Jerry Dias, Unifor National President on how national pharmacare would benefit Canada.