We are not asking for exactly the same thing. I believe the structure is similar. In my view, what we are asking for is more similar to our agreement with the federal government for the other four groups, meaning first nations, the RCMP, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and so on.
There already is an agreement. There is an agreement with the federal government that was signed by four different groups. All that is left to do is for the Department of Citizenship and Immigration to take the agreement and adjust the coverage of services and products it wants to pay for. It does not have to pay for the same products and services as the others. It has its own plan. If the department works with Medavie Blue Cross, it will be able to change the coverage at any time. It won’t even have to let the pharmacists know, since everything will be done electronically. So, when the pharmacist sends a claim, Medavie Blue Cross will say whether it is covered or not through the electronic system.
There already are agreements in place and they leave plenty of leeway. There was a lack of understanding on CIC's part, but they have complete freedom to adjust the coverage. CIC is in charge of that, not us. We just want to set the terms and conditions that govern our relationship with the government in order to make sure that we provide the right services and the right products, which are reimbursed under the plan, and that pharmacists will be paid within a reasonable timeframe.