Thank you, Chair.
We will be opposing this amendment. It builds on what I presented earlier. This is framework legislation that develops a framework around pharmacare. We are talking about the first phase of that framework, which focuses on diabetes and contraceptive medications. The legislation goes beyond that in terms of developing a national bulk purchasing strategy. Limiting the scope, as this amendment suggests, undermines the essence of this framework legislation.
Therefore, we think it is counterproductive. It does not really pursue what the legislation is trying to achieve, which is to create framework legislation around pharmacare, starting with the first phase, which is to make diabetes and contraceptive medications available to Canadians coast to coast to coast.
Thank you.