Issue 77 – 25, November 16th, 2025
Canada Needs a Fair and Universal Pharmacare System
Making medicines available to all Canadians is a human right. It will save lives, reduce inequality, and make our healthcare system better and more sustainable for future generations.
Many people in Canada struggle to afford the medicines they need to stay healthy. Right now, not everyone has access to the medicines that can save their lives or help them feel better. This is unfair and dangerous. It also costs Canada billions of dollars each year.
Pharmacare is a plan that would make sure everyone in Canada can get the medicines they need without having to pay a lot of money. It would be a government lead program that covers the cost of important medicines for all Canadians. This idea has support from over 80% of the public and many experts. It’s time for Canada to make this happen.
Right now, people with private insurance or who can pay out of pocket are more likely to get their medicines. Many others, especially seniors, Indigenous Peoples, women, and people with low incomes, can’t afford medicines.
Pharmacare will ensure all Canadians, no matter where they live or how much money they have, can get necessary medicines.
Pharmacare will save billions of dollars that could be used for other health services like doctors, nurses, and care for seniors.
Pharmacare will make the healthcare system fairer and more efficient.
The Final Report issued this week by the National Pharmacare Committee of Experts 2025, made key recommendations:
1. Make a Law Recognizing Medicine as a Human Right, the government should pass laws that say everyone has the right to essential medicines and that these medicines should be available to all Canadians equally.
2. Fully Fund a List of Essential Medicines, the government should pay for a basic list of medicines that cover the most important health needs for everyone. People should get these medicines free with their health card.
3. Create an Independent Body to Keep the List Updated, a group of experts should decide which medicines are included and make sure the list stays current and fair.
4. Develop a National Strategy to Reduce Costs, Canada should buy medicines in ways that get the best prices, support local drug makers, and keep the supply steady.
5. Fund Pharmacare with Fair Revenue, the government should pay for medicines using fair taxes or other revenue sources, ensuring it’s affordable and sustainable.
6. Involve Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous communities should lead and decide how pharmacare can best serve their needs, respecting treaties and rights.
7. Work with Provinces and Territories, the federal government should partner with provinces and territories to improve healthcare and ensure everyone can access medicines and primary care.
8. Track and improve, Canada should regularly check how well pharmacare works and make changes to improve access, safety, and health outcomes.
Making medicines available to all Canadians is a human right. It will save lives, reduce inequality, and make our healthcare system better and more sustainable for future generations.
Canada needs to act quickly to build a fair, simple, and strong system for medicines. We should stop relying on private insurance companies that profit off our health. Instead, we should invest in a system that works for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
Canada could lead the way with a fair and effective pharmacare system, let’s make it happen.
Read more - National-Pharmacare-Final-Report-EN.pdf
Read more - Final Report of the National Pharmacare Committee of Experts - Canada.ca
Standing Up Against Gender-Based Violence: The 16 Days of Activism
Every year, from November 25 to December 10, people around the world take part in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This is a special campaign that calls attention to violence and harassment against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. It also remembers those who have been hurt or killed because of gender-based violence.
Important days are part of this campaign. November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It remembers the lives of the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic, who were murdered in 1960. December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. It honors the 14 women who were killed at Polytechnique Montréal in 1989. December 10 is International Human Rights Day, which celebrates the rights and dignity of all people.
Despite many efforts over the years, violence against women and girls is still a big problem. In Canada, every 48 hours, a woman or girl is killed because of gender-based violence. In 2024, 240 women and girls were murdered more than half of them were killed by men. This is a huge increase compared to previous years. Many women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people also face harassment and violence at work, in their communities, and at home.
The violence can have long-lasting effects. Victims may suffer physically, emotionally, and socially. It also costs Canadian taxpayers billions of dollars each year for healthcare, justice, and social services. That’s why it’s important to act now.
Everyone can help stop gender-based violence. Here are some ways to get involved:
Wear purple on November 25 to support victims of violence.
Remember the victims of the Polytechnique Montréal tragedy by wearing a white ribbon on December 6.
Learn and share facts about gender-based violence to raise awareness.
Support survivors by believing them if they share their stories.
Speak out against violence when you see it happening.
Help others by intervening in a safe way or offering support.
Donate to local organizations that help victims.
The Canadian Labour Congress and Unions are working hard to end gender-based violence. They are calling on the government to make workplaces safer for everyone. This includes making sure there are clear rules and strategies to prevent harassment and violence, especially from third parties like customers or clients. Unions are also pushing for better training, better working conditions, and more support for workers who face harassment or violence.
Even though progress has been slow, strategies include teaching healthy relationship skills, empowering women and girls, providing support services, and changing unfair gender norms. Everyone has a role to play in creating safer, fairer communities and workplaces.
As we mark the 16 Days of Activism, let’s remember that ending gender-based violence is possible. We all have the power to make a difference by speaking out, learning, and supporting each other. Together, we can build a future where everyone is safe, respected, and treated equally.
Read more - 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence 2025 - Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario \
Read more - Respect at Work Report
Webinars
Host – Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
The status quo in services for older women who are victim-survivors of gender-based violence is unacceptable.
The Wildflower Way, a new resource from CNPEA developed with the support of WAGE Canada, aims to support professionals in human services with tools to integrate services for older women who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV) into broader equity efforts through relational, trauma -and violence- informed policy and practice.
The Wildflower Way is both a narrative strategy and a practical guide for nurturing growth, offering a path toward sustainability, healing, and genuine systemic change in human services. This webinar will introduce the guide and tools and how you can adopt them to help transform your practice.
Host - Canadian Labour Congress
The CLC will be hosting a cross-country style checkup webinar, “Unions Rise Up Against Gender-Based Violence,” on November 27 at 1:00 p.m. EST to highlight trade union activism to end gender-based violence in workplaces and communities from coast to coast. The discussion where will be a checking in with labour leaders across Canada to hear stories about what campaign strategies have worked, as well as what challenges continue to lay ahead for unions as we rise up against gender-based violence.
This webinar is open to all. Please ensure that you are registered as the date is fast approaching.
Register - https://us02web.zoom.us/