On the macroeconomic impact of introducing universal pharmacare, in terms of additional public spending, you can do that with an increase in corporate tax because of the savings on labour costs. You could do it with a payroll tax, earmarked tax revenues, whatever the solution, but the macroeconomic effect is an increase in the disposable income of Canadian households, and it means reducing labour costs for employers.
I was in discussion with an actuary yesterday, and in Quebec drug benefits represent between 2% and 5% of total payroll for an employer who provides group insurance to employees. In any economic textbook, reducing labour costs for employers is how you create employment, so the macroeconomic impact would be very positive. It would have the same effect as a very significant tax cut.