Government House leader Karina Gould says she doesn’t think the Liberals are going to get a pharmacare bill passed by the end of the year, despite their promise to do so in an agreement with the NDP.
Ms. Gould made the admission on Parliament Hill on Nov. 28, telling reporters that the parties are still working together, and the conversations are productive and ongoing.
The supply-and-confidence deal, in which the New Democrats are supporting the Liberals in key House of Commons votes, included a commitment to pass a Canada Pharmacare Act by the end of 2023.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on his way into question period on Nov. 28 that the government is “ready to go” when it comes to putting forward legislation.
But he said the government wants to make it happen in concert with the NDP.
Peter Julian, the NDP House leader, says the New Democrats are still hoping that a pharmacare bill could be introduced, if not passed, before the House rises in mid-December—but his understanding is the government needs more time.
