MP Bachrach celebrates pharmacare becoming law, steps into new roles

SMITHERS– The Senate passed the NDP’s pharmacare plan Thursday and it is now Canadian law. MP Taylor Bachrach (Skeena-Bulkley Valley) said Northwest BC residents are likely just months away from having free access to important medications.

“For many folks, especially those with diabetes who are paying out of pocket each month, pharmacare is going to be a game changer,” said Bachrach. “For decades, Canada has been the only country with universal health care but no national pharmacare program. Now, we’re on the brink of changing that for good.”

Bill C-64 passed despite the Conservatives’ attempts to block its path. Conservative MPs voted against universal pharmacare multiple times, choosing to side instead with the big pharmaceutical companies, but the NDP leveraged its position in Parliament to force the bill through.

“It’s a stark message Conservatives have sent by opposing pharmacare: apparently they’re okay with millions of Canadians not being able to afford the medicine their doctor prescribes. Their opposition to pharmacare speaks volumes.”

The BCNDP provincial government has already signed a memorandum indicating it will participate in the federal pharmacare program, offering initial coverage for contraception, hormone replacement, and diabetes medication and devices as soon as this spring.

Bachrach is also taking on new responsibilities in the NDP caucus. He has been named the party’s critic for Rural Economic Development and deputy critic for Finance.

“I’m excited to take on these new files,” said Bachrach. “The federal government has a role in helping rural communities build durable, sustainable economies. For too long, Liberal and Conservative governments alike have viewed rural Canada simply as a place from which to extract resources, without much concern for long-term community stability. That has to change.”

Bachrach remains the NDP’s Transport critic, a role he has held since 2019.