Peter Julian says millions of Canadians support national program
By: Theresa McManus
New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian is vowing to continue fighting for a national pharmacare program.
The NDP member of Parliament sponsored Bill C-213, the Canada Pharmacare Act, which is calling for universal, public drug coverage. When it went to a vote on Feb. 24, it was defeated 295 to 32.
Liberals and Conservatives voted against the NDP’s bill to make universal pharmacare for all a reality in Canada, leaving behind millions of Canadians.
OTTAWA — With 1 in 5 Canadians unable to afford the medication their doctors prescribe and COVID exposing the gaps in our healthcare, a national universal public pharmacare program is needed now more than ever. Moments ago, Liberals and Conservatives voted against the NDP’s Bill C-213, An Act to Enact the Canada Pharmacare Act which lays out the path to establishing a universal, single-payer, comprehensive and public pharmacare plan.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17th, 2021
FINAL HOUR OF DEBATE ON BILL C-213
FOR UNIVERSAL PUBLIC PHARMACARE FOR ALL
OTTAWA –Today, the final hour of debate is being held in Parliament on Bill C-213. MP Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby) is urging all MPs to support the passage of Bill C-213 when it comes up for a vote in the House of Commons on Feb. 24th, 2021. This legislation could be enacted this spring, a key step to allowing millions of Canadians who are struggling to pay for medication to receive the support they desperately need.
NEW WESTMINSTER — Today, MP Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby) tabled a Private Member’s Bill C-266, An Act regarding the right to know when products contain toxic substances. It was seconded by NDP Spokesperson on the Environment and Climate Change, MP Laurel Collins (Victoria).
The federal government must do more to protect Canadians from exposure to toxic chemicals. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, CEPA, is 20 years out of date and badly needs updating. The NDP is committed to strengthening CEPA to better protect Canadians from toxic substances.
Bill C-266 follows the lead of many other jurisdictions that have already enacted similar legislation, notably the European Union and the State of California in the United States. Bill C-266, would require all products, especially foods, household cleaners, and cosmetics, sold or imported into Canada containing toxic substances to have clearly marked labels specifying their toxic contents to the consumer.
NDP motion calling for this designation passed the House of Commons unanimously over a week ago
(New Westminster) – Yesterday, the federal government finally designated the Proud Boys as a terrorist group and placed them on the terrorist list. This was called for when the House of Commons unanimously passed an NDP motion demanding the government take this action on January 25, 2021.
Advisory council recommended national program in 2019.
New Westminster is joining the call for the creation of the Canada Pharmacare Act. Federal New Democrats have been advocating for universal, public drug coverage.
OTTAWA – MPs Peter Julian, Jenny Kwan & Don Davies held a national virtual e-rally on Bill C-213, the Canada Pharmacare Act. Over 600 participants attended the e-rally, which featured NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Linda Silas, President of Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, Marie Clarke Walker, Vice -Chair of Canadian Health Coalition & Secretary-Treasurer of Canadian Labour Congress & Dr. Nima Machouf, Lecturer at École de santé publique de l’Université de Montréal.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and city councillors unanimously adopted on Monday a resolution to endorse Bill C-213, the Canada Pharmacare Act.
The federal NDP bill is based on the principles of the Canada Health Act and follows recommendations of the government's own Hoskins' report.
https://www.burnabynow.com/local-news/burnaby-backs-federal-ndps-pharmacare-bill-3299605
News | A5, Words: 594
Current federal spending is sustainable but ceiling has been reduced, watchdog report says
by: Alex Ballingall Toronto Star
Parliament's fiscal watchdog says the federal government now has less room to keep spending in a sustainable way, as the Trudeau Liberals promise expensive new programs like national child care and vow to do whatever it takes to fight the COVID-19 crisis.
Context-Debate - Committee of the whole on Bill C-9, an act to amend the Income Tax Act with regard to the Canada emergency rent subsidy and the Canada emergency wage subsidy, and the economy in general.
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, NDP):
Mr. Chair, with the emergency rent subsidy program, the original contract this summer was given to a company whose leadership has links to the chief of staff of the Prime Minister. Landlords could only apply if they had a commercial mortgage at the beginning, and this was a non-tendered contract given to a commercial mortgage company. Therefore, it failed most of the businesses that should have been able to access the commercial rent subsidy.
NDP Opposition Day Motion-Tax Measures to Support Canadians
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, NDP) moved:
That, given that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian billionaires are $37 billion richer while the most vulnerable are struggling, the House call upon the government to put in place a new one percent tax on wealth over $20 million and an excess profit tax on big corporations that have been profiteering from the pandemic, and to re-invest the billions of dollars recouped from these measures to: (a) expand income security programs to ensure all individuals residing in Canada have a guaranteed livable basic income; (b) expand health care, including by putting in place a national dental care program and a universal, single-payer, public pharmacare program; and (c) meaningfully implement the right to housing with the full plan set out in the Recovery for All campaign and immediately fund a "For Indigenous, By Indigenous" urban, rural and Northern housing strategy delivered by Indigenous housing providers.
Speech on Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy)
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, NDP):
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his presentation.
We know that the first version of the rent relief program for SMEs was poorly designed, since the vast majority of SMEs could not even access it. Following pressure from us as well as SMEs, a new version is now being proposed.