50x Petition Growth in 2 weeks! Let's not let this slow down...

Friends, In just 2 weeks this petition has gone from 250 to 12,500 signatures! During this period, Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted, "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength… #WelcomeToCanada” In this tumultuous time, we can be proud that Canada’s leader is calling for openness and taking a stand against bigotry and oppression. For those whom we welcome as our new Canadian brothers and sisters, however, the struggle doesn’t end when they arrive in Canada, and particularly once they are no longer eligible for interim federal health program (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/outside/summary-ifhp.asp) coverage. How will we help these individuals build their new lives in Canada and become contributory members of our society? For those who secure jobs, they may join Canada’s working poor. As such, many of our nation’s newest Canadians will not have access to third party insurance benefits. They will face the additional burden of paying for medicines out of pocket. Let’s continue to spread the message that Canada needs a National Pharmacare Strategy – both for our newest citizens and for all of those who continue to struggle because they must choose between medicine or food on the table. 1 in 4 Canadian households cannot fill their medicine prescriptions because they face that dilemma each day. Prime Minister Trudeau must match words with action. Dr. Elizabeth McGibbon notes that “the health sector has been relatively slow in grasping the connections among human rights, social injustice, and how everyday life unfolds for patients.” Ensuring equitable access to medications is a basic human right that Canada must commit to. A National Pharmacare Strategy would be a big step forward in fulfilling Prime Minister Trudeau’s promise. Please share this petition with family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Let's stir our nation to raise a unified voice, toward something that would represent the best of Canada. Onward! Visit http://pharmacare2020.ca/ Access facts and figures on the Join the Dialogue page, and share those on your social media alongside a link to this petition.