Liberals risk ‘intense criticism’ from Conservatives if pharmacare grows federal deficit, says pollster Bruce Anderson

Recent reports from the Parliamentary Budget Office found that a universal pharmacare program could cost both provincial and federal governments $11.2-billion in its first year, while the federal deficit is already projected to grow to $46.5-billion next year.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, risks criticism from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre if the government grows the federal deficit by implementing a universal pharmacare program, which it is being pressured to do by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

The federal government will likely be weighing the “massive cost, complexity, and political risk” associated with introducing a universal pharmacare program when considering whether in can bow to pressure from the NDP on that issue, says pollster Bruce Anderson.

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