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Think tank calls on Ottawa to abandon single-payer pharmacare model
The C.D. Howe Institute recommends focusing on fiscally sustainable universal coverage using the current mixed public-private system amid cost uncertainties.
- The C.D. Howe Institute released a report on September 18, 2025, urging Ottawa to reconsider the single-payer pharmacare model in Canada.
- This call follows ongoing political pressure and uncertainty, including a confidence-and-supply agreement requiring pharmacare legislation and unclear federal plans by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- The report emphasizes Quebec’s longstanding public drug insurance as a model while noting current federal deals cover only 18% of Canadians despite $1.5 billion allocated in the last budget.
- Author Rosalie Wyonch stated that the federal government should focus on providing health coverage to all Canadians in a way that is financially responsible and takes advantage of the existing blend of public and private healthcare services.
- The report suggests that universal pharmacare would be costly, with drug costs estimated at $38.9 billion in 2027-28, and calls for clearer federal policy amid economic and tariff-related uncertainties.
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27 Articles
27 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources27
Leaning Left20Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution87% Left
Bias Distribution
- 87% of the sources lean Left
87% Left
L 87%
13%
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