As International Women’s Day approaches, the Prime Minister is reiterating the importance of access to free contraceptives in Canada, which will come as part of the federal government’s national pharmacare program.

“Women’s health is health for everyone. Making sure we build a strong society where affordability challenges don’t get in the way of the really important family planning is every woman’s right in this country,” Trudeau states.

The program will also include access to all types of diabetes medication.

“We’re moving forward on diabetes medications, because we know that it’s a huge issue faces by millions of Canadians. Diabetes is also a situation in which far too many people are having to make choices between putting groceries on the table or paying rent or paying for their medication.”

Justin Trudeau says in a time of squeezed budgets, providing affordable medication is crucial to the safety and wellbeing of Canadians.

“Moving forward on pharmacare, contraceptives, and diabetes medications just makes sense, in terms of not just being there for Canadians and making sure they have all the opportunities to succeed and have great, fulfilled lives, but also countering the affordability challenges that Canadians are facing right across the country.”

The decision was part of a deal made by the Liberal and NDP parties, in which the NDP agreed to support the Liberals on key votes in the Commons in exchange for movement on shared priorities.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has said a financial commitment to the program will be coming soon, but it won’t necessarily be in the spring federal budget.

The government will soon begin to negotiate with provinces and territories individually on the topic, with hopes of getting everyone on board with the national single-payer program.