An Act to enact the Canada Pharmacare Act
Bill C-340 was an NDP Private Member's Bill enacting a Canada Pharmacare Act establishing universal single-payer pharmaceutical coverage. Sponsored by MP Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby). The Liberal government and NDP delivered phase one of pharmacare through Bill C-64 (Pharmacare Act, S.C. 2024, c. 20, royal assent October 10, 2024) covering contraceptives and diabetes medications under federal-provincial bilateral agreements; British Columbia signed the first bilateral on February 27, 2025. Phase two (expanded drug list) is pending. The Carney Liberal government has not committed to phase-two timeline. C-340 was the more ambitious NDP version not adopted in its full form.
Status
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Would set up a universal single-payer pharmacare program covering prescription drugs for everyone. An NDP private member's bill from Peter Julian, more ambitious than the government's C-64, which passed in 2024 and started with contraceptives and diabetes medications.
Issues this bill touches
- Healthcare
Canada Pharmacare Act PMB framework. Precursor to the government's C-64 first-phase pharmacare.
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the House of Commons.
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Official source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada