Cabinet yesterday reneged on a 2022 vote pact with New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh. A written promise to pass pharmacare legislation by December 31 will not be met, said ministers.

Cabinet in a Notice Of Ways And Means Motion omitted all mention of pharmacare. Thirteen days remain on the House calendar before Parliament adjourns for Christmas.

Liberals in a 2022 Supply And Confidence Agreement promised New Democrats that in exchange for maintaining cabinet in power for three years they would be “passing a Canada Pharmacare Act by the end of 2023.” Government House Leader Karina Gould yesterday told reporters the commitment would not be met.