With the federal election underway, Diabetes Canada calls on all candidates to prioritize the needs of the more than 4 million people in Canada living with diabetes.
With a new diagnosis every three minutes, this remains a critical issue that demands action. In recent months, we have seen significant strides toward improving equity and access with Pharmacare agreements signed in Manitoba, BC, PEI and Yukon.
We urge all party candidates to maintain this positive momentum throughout the country by working with us and committing to:
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Implement measures to ensure diabetes treatments and supplies remain affordable and accessible, including mitigating the impact of possible tariffs.
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Continue working towards the implementation of the national diabetes framework, which supports the care, prevention, and treatment of all types of diabetes, ensuring policy alignment across provinces and territories.
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Build on recent bi-lateral agreements with provinces/territories by fully implementing a Federal Diabetes Device Access Fund across the country—easing costs and improving access to life-changing technologies.
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Build on the recent Pharmacare agreements in BC, Manitoba, PEI, and Yukon to improve access to diabetes medications and devices. Expanding access through a national Pharmacare approach will help address health disparities, advance health equity, and improve long-term health outcomes for people living with diabetes, particularly in underserved communities. Ensuring affordability and availability is key to reducing barriers to care and improving peoples’ quality of life.
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For 50 years, Diabetes Canada has fueled research that has led to major advancements like the Edmonton Protocol, the Artificial Pancreas, and innovative treatments such as Ozempic. Today, we fund over 70 active projects focused on prevention, better treatments, and finding a cure. We urge all candidates to commit to strengthening health research in Canada to improve the lives of millions affected by diabetes
Diabetes Canada is committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of all those affected by diabetes. We urge all candidates to join us in this commitment and make diabetes a priority in their platforms.
What voters can do
Diabetes Canada encourages voters to advocate for these issues by calling on their local candidates to make diabetes a priority issue in this election.
For advocacy tips and tools check out Diabetes Canada’s introduction to advocacy series.
Voices of people living with diabetes
Living with diabetes can be mentally and financially draining. Throughout Canada, there is no consistent standard among the provinces to help alleviate these burdens. Implementing standard coverage across Canada would reduce the costs of living with diabetes, reduce the risk of diabetes related complications, and increase the quality of life for millions of people throughout the country. I have been living with type 1 diabetes for 13 years, and have been using insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for 5 years. I remember my biggest concern growing up was how I would be able to afford the cost of living with diabetes. It was obvious even then, how costly this condition is. Since I've had access to these technologies, I have reduced my average blood sugar to that of a person living without diabetes, I have not had an emergency hospital visit, and I have greatly reduced the risk of diabetes related complications.
- Jeremy Storring, advocate and person who lives with type 1 diabetes, Saskatchewan
I have been living with type 1 diabetes for more than 2 decades and have witnessed incredible advancements in technology for diabetes management. A few months into using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), my HbA1c decreased 1.5%. Visualizing glucose trends and predictions helped me address imminent hyper-and hypoglyemia. As I don’t always experience symptoms associated with hyperglycemia, I often wonder how much damage this has created over the years, and what complications I will face as I age.
Current eligibility criteria in Ontario for coverage of CGMs is still restrictive. Many people like myself, who don’t have adequate private insurance with their employment or school, are left to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket each year.
Canada is the birthplace of insulin, a life-sustaining treatment. While it helps manage this disease, it cannot reverse the damage caused by diabetes. To me, having support from the government means having choices and equitable access to current life-changing technology that will give us a chance to live a healthier and longer life, while staying out of overcrowded hospitals.
- Katharine Mackett, advocate and person who lives with type 1 diabetes, Hamilton
In the news
Why Canadians want the next federal government to follow through on the universal pharmacare program, CTV News
For people living with diabetes, the push for medical coverage isn’t political, it’s personal, The Globe & Mail