Holland says first pharmacare deal is imminent, Singh denounces profit-making in health care at SOS Medicare 3.0

Like generations before them, first in 1979 then in 2007, health care workers and activists from across the country came together this week in Ottawa to defend Canada’s universal public health care system.

Federal Health Minister Mark Holland received applause from the SOS Medicare 3.0 Conference audience when he said Canada’s first pharmacare deal with a province is coming soon. While acknowledging the challenges, Holland highlighted dental care and what he called other recent transformational changes to Canada’s health care system.

Watch Holland’s address to the audience at the SOS Medicare 3.0 Conference.

Holland’s remarks were followed by a fireside chat with Frédérique Chabot, Executive Director of Action Canada for Sexual and Health Rights, and Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh took the stage next and told conference participants that governments have broke the health care system. He said, “hell no,” to Trump’s suggestion that Canada’s health care system be more like America’s, denouncing how Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Ontario Conservative Leader Doug Ford and Pierre Poilievre are doing the work of Trump when they support the privatization of health care.

Watch Singh’s remarks, followed by his conversation with Brandon Doucet, founder of the Coalition for Dental Care then by questions from reporters to Singh on the Liberal leadership race, the upcoming federal election, and on the annexation threats against Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Stay tuned for more stories about SOS Medicare 3.0.