Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy
The Perspectives Journal Podcast complements the journal and opinions content of Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy, to bring out left-wing ideas and strategy in a new and ever-evolving format. The podcast features interviews with policy experts, to dig deeper into the progressive angles of the issues affecting working-class, ordinary Canadians.
Hosted by editor-in-chief, Clement Nocos, the Perspectives Journal Podcast aims to bring forward timely analysis on issues from the multiple crises of the economy, cost-of-living and the environment, to the labour movement, as well as the state of Canadian democracy. The wide reaching breadth of this show aims to help inform policymakers and the public about approaches to today’s pressing problems that are rooted in Ed Broadbent’s Principles for Canadian Social Democracy.
Perspectives Journal also produces and features shows hosted by the Broadbent Institute’s friends and affiliates, providing a progressive platform for limited and irregular conversations that are still necessary to enliven Canada’s political discourse. The Perspectives Journal Podcast is a proud members of the Harbinger Media Network, Canada’s progressive podcast community.
Activists Make History
Activists Make History with Peggy Nash is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal that finds the political underdogs and asks how they got started, against the odds, to fight for progressive change. Policymakers, activists and experts from underrepresented communities and backgrounds, that are typically pushed to the margins of Canadian political life, are front and centre in conversation with Peggy Nash, who has been a union activist, a feminist advocate, and a Member of Parliament in Canada’s House of Commons for nearly a decade.
Reflecting on these experiences as a political outsider, and in conversation with other like-minded outsiders that take our struggles into the halls of power, Activists Make History aims to show how we can win a better world through elected office. Activists Make History is only made possible by the generous contribution of Unifor.
Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy
The Continuing Battle for Universal Pharmacare with Marc-André Gagnon
Despite Canada’s celebrated health care model, a lack of robust and universal drug coverage has resulted in a “fragmented system” that leaves ordinary Canadians without adequate care. Bill C-64 titled An Act Respecting Pharmacare was recently passed in Canada. Providing the framework for universal public drug coverage in Canada, Bill C-64 has been celebrated by some as a welcome and necessary step forward.
However, Marc-André Gagnon, Associate Professor at the School of Public Policy and Administration of Carleton University, argues that Bill C-64 has glaring flaws that allow it to fall short of providing pharmacare for all. While the legislation outlines an ideal narrative for phasing in universal pharmacare, the bill also relies on vague and ambivalent language that sets the stage for implementation favouring drug companies. If public drug coverage is not rolled out correctly, according to Gagnon, we could be left with an inefficient system that relies on the private sector, instead of true, public pharmacare for all.
Listen to the full episode to hear how the battle continues for universal pharmacare in Canada. Marc-André Gagnon’s article “Pharmacare and Access to Medicines in Canada: Is Bill C-64 a Step in the Right Direction?” is also published in Perspectives Journal no.2 and is available online here.
Notes:
Pharmacare and Access to Medicines in Canada: Is Bill C-64 a Step in the Right Direction?
REPORT - A Prescription For Canada: Achieving Pharmacare For All (The Hoskins Report)
Ghost Management Research Group
REPORT - Understanding the Gap 2.0 – The Conference Board of Canada
CARP criticizes Bill C-64's limited coverage for seniors – Benefits and Pensions Monitor
