The Department of Health warns taxpayers are “sensitive to cost considerations” of pharmacare, citing a Fraser Institute poll indicating Canadians won’t pay more taxes for universal public drug insurance. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to pass a pharmacare bill by year’s end under a vote deal with New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh.

“Canadians are generally supportive of improving affordable access to prescription drugs but are also sensitive to cost considerations as government health-related expenses continue to grow, particularly in the context of Covid-19,” said an April 27 internal memo Pharmacare.