On the first full day of the Saskatchewan election campaign, NDP Leader Lorne Calvert has promised a drug plan that will mean everybody in the province will pay no more than $15 for a prescription.
It would be a major expansion of the seniors' drug plan, which the NDP government introduced earlier this year.
Under the current plan, people 65 years old and older pay $15 or less per prescription as long as the drug is covered under the provincial formulary.
The expansion would cost the treasury about $150 million per year.
Calvert, who made the announcement in Saskatoon Thursday morning, said the new plan would come into effect on the anniversary of medicare next summer.
While making the drug plan announcement, Calvert said the Saskatchewan Party voted against the seniors' version of the plan.
If the Saskatchewan Party wins the election, the upgraded drug plan won't come into effect, either.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall said it doesn't address the province's biggest health concern — long waiting lists.
The provincial election is Nov. 7. Calvert made the election call on Wednesday.
Saskatchewan Votes 2007 »
- Saskatchewan Party wins majority government
- Only 10 years into its existence as a political force, the Saskatchewan Party will form a majority government and its leader Brad Wall will be the new premier.
- NDP had a 'good run in government'
- A desire for change pushed the NDP out of 16 years of rule in Saskatchewan, but leader Lorne Calvert said the party has no regrets.
- Liberals fail again to elect single MLA
- The third time was not a charm for Liberal Leader David Karwacki, as voters in Saskatoon Meewasin rebuffed his efforts for elected office.
- Shift in urban vote handed seats to Sask. Party
- The seeds of victory were sown in Regina and Saskatoon, where the Saskatchewan Party picked up five seats — but there were gains in other urban areas, too, that helped seal the election win.
- NDP holds on in Regina, but loses 3 seats
- Fortress Regina continued to stand for the NDP when the dust of Wednesday's election had settled, though its foundation was shaken by a trio of Saskatchewan Party wins.
Constituency Profiles
More Saskatchewan Votes Headlines »
- Saskatchewan Party wins majority government
- Only 10 years into its existence as a political force, the Saskatchewan Party will form a majority government and its leader Brad Wall will be the new premier.
- NDP had a 'good run in government'
- A desire for change pushed the NDP out of 16 years of rule in Saskatchewan, but leader Lorne Calvert said the party has no regrets.
- Liberals fail again to elect single MLA
- The third time was not a charm for Liberal Leader David Karwacki, as voters in Saskatoon Meewasin rebuffed his efforts for elected office.
- Shift in urban vote handed seats to Sask. Party
- The seeds of victory were sown in Regina and Saskatoon, where the Saskatchewan Party picked up five seats — but there were gains in other urban areas, too, that helped seal the election win.
- NDP holds on in Regina, but loses 3 seats
- Fortress Regina continued to stand for the NDP when the dust of Wednesday's election had settled, though its foundation was shaken by a trio of Saskatchewan Party wins.
