Mr. Speaker, I rise today with two petitions from residents in my riding of South Okanagan—West Kootenay.
The first petition points out that one in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription medication; that the current system benefits drug companies, not Canadians; that a universal pharmacare plan could save our country over $4 billion a year; and that we are the only OECD country that has a universal health care system that does not cover prescription drugs. Therefore, the petitioners call on the Government of Canada to eliminate the current patchwork system of care and to introduce a universal, comprehensive and public pharmacare plan that will reduce drug costs and keep people healthier longer.