Communiqué RAMQ

Please note: This information contained in this bulletin about the RAMQ only applies to CUPW members living in the Province of Quebec.

On November 15, Canada Post suspended the Extended Health Care Plan (the “EHCP”), including prescription drug coverage. Therefore, as of this date, Canada Post employees who do not have access to another plan find themselves without drug insurance coverage.

Following this decision by Canada Post, we became aware of social media conversations concerning eligibility to the public drug insurance plan administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (“RAMQ”). To ensure that you all have the most accurate information possible, please read the following document.

The RAMQ’s position 

In a letter dated November 29, 2024, the RAMQ informed us of its position in view of the strike.

According to the RAMQ, “employees [of Canada Post] who neither have access to a group insurance contract through their spouse nor are part of another defined group identified under section 15.1 of the Act Respecting Prescription Drug Insurance [...] will have to enroll in the public component of the general plan.”  

Thus, according to the RAMQ, as of November 15, 2024, you are not only eligible for the public prescription drug insurance plan, but you are also required to enroll in it, unless you fall under one of the exemptions mentioned above. However, the RAMQ does not intend to make your enrollment irrevocable. Therefore, once the suspension of the EHCP has ended, you may opt out of the public plan.

We invite you to review the following page to learn more about the applicable rates, that is, the annual premium and the deductible for the public prescription drug insurance plan:

https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/prescription-drug-insurance/rates-effect

Dispute between Canada Post and the RAMQ

As you know, Canada Post has filed a lawsuit against the RAMQ to seek, among other things, a declaration that Canada Post employees who benefit from the Extended Health Care Plan and reside in Quebec are not required to enroll in the public drug insurance plan administered by the RAMQ.   

This dispute arose from an attempt by the RAMQ, through Canada Life, to obtain the personal information of Canada Post employees residing in Quebec, likely to contact them to require that they enroll in the public drug insurance plan, subject to certain exceptions.   

In this context, and although the RAMQ accepts that your decision to enroll in the public prescription drug insurance plan is revocable, we inform you that your enrollment could allow the RAMQ to identify you for future purposes. The Union will, of course, review its options to dispute such use of your personal information.  

In Solidarity,