As we've indicated very clearly, our government certainly recognizes that Canadians pay too much for drugs. That's why we were extremely pleased to see the announcement in budget 2018 that we were creating an advisory council on the implementation of a national pharmacare program.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the health committee for the wonderful work they have done and for really looking into this issue. They have done tremendous work in this area, and I have to say that the advisory council's first work will probably be to review the report. I know that Dr. Hoskins has already done so, but we certainly want to make sure the council builds on the good work that's already been started by this committee.
We have made it very clear that we want Dr. Hoskins and the advisory council to present us with options with respect to a national pharmacare program, and also with an implementation plan for moving forward. We have no preconceived ideas with respect to what this pharmacare program will potentially look like. We certainly want to serve the needs of Canadians.
As I've indicated, we recognize that Canadians pay too much for drugs and that many Canadians have to make choices between food and drugs, or heating their home and drugs. Having been a front-line social worker for a number of years before I entered politics, working with many individuals who did not have access to a drug plan, I've certainly seen the realities first-hand. We Canadians are proud of our publicly funded health system, but we certainly recognize that we can do better. The implementation of a pharmacare program would certainly make things better for Canadians.
I'm looking forward to the work the advisory council is going to be doing, and to receiving their report by the spring of 2019.