Over 300,000 Canadians choosing Cannabis for medical treatment

Canada’s cannabis market

With more than 300,0001 Canadians choosing cannabis for medical treatment and that number only expected to grow, Great-West Life announced today it has expanded its coverage of medical cannabis, including a new agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. to deliver its Medical Cannabis Coaching Program.

“We’ve expanded our optional medical cannabis coverage to our Pay-Direct Drug plans which represent the vast majority of all of our drug plans, to help the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians,” says Bobby Currie, Pharmacist and Manager of Drug Strategy for Great-West Life, noting the insurer has offered medical cannabis coverage through healthcare spending accounts since 2009.

“Participating plan sponsors will now be better able to support their plan members who are prescribed medical cannabis for conditions relating to multiple sclerosis, cancer, HIV or AIDS, or symptoms related to palliative care, and their plan members will be directed to Shoppers Drug Mart Inc.’s Medical Cannabis Coaching Program, delivered through its Ontario-based call centre, to help them navigate strain selection and administration,” she adds.

Since medical cannabis is not available in retail pharmacies, Currie says the program will coordinate delivery to the plan member’s home and offer case management support via check-ins, counselling, education and support by phone and e-mail.

The expansion also allows for eligible plan members in Ontario to have their claim submitted by the Medical Cannabis Coaching Program using their Pay-Direct Drug cards.

“By processing claims through a Pay-Direct Drug card, we can offer our plan members the convenience of immediate reimbursement and the most advanced claim adjudication standards in the industry,” Currie says.

Great-West Life has set rigorous and comprehensive access controls to help ensure plans remain sustainable, including pre-determined conditions, a range of annual maximums capped at $5,000, coverage criteria and eligibility guidelines to help ensure appropriate use.

Currie adds that while reimbursement at the point of sale is currently available in Ontario only, other provinces and territories are expected to soon follow.

1Government of Canada Market Data

Behind The Moon play premieres in Montreal

Behind the Moon Reveals Dark Side of the Canadian Immigrant Experience

MONTREAL, April 10, 2026 — What begins as a chance encounter between an employee of a South Asian restaurant in Toronto and a taxi driver who arrives at closing time because he craves some Indian food turns into an expose that delves into the ugly side of the current wave of the immigrant experience in Canada.

Employer Branding in an Era of Digital Transparency

Employer Branding in an Era of Digital Transparency

Digital transparency transforms how organizations are perceived, especially in the context of talent attraction and retention. Public platforms and employee-generated content make internal culture a visible signal to job seekers. As the boundaries between internal experience and external reputation blur, credibility has become a critical differentiator for employers. Employer branding now unfolds in public view,

Harlem Globetrotters celebrate 100th in Montreal

Harlem Globetrotters 100th Tour Tips Off in Montreal and Laval

Tickets are still available to catch the Harlem Globetrotters’ 100 Year Tour, as it presents two games in the city: on April 17 at the Bell Centre, and April 18 at Place Bell in Laval. Holders of more than 60 Guinness World Records, the clown princes of basketball celebrate their centennial year with plenty of

Monty Python Legend to return Montreal this Fall

For the first time in 17 years, legendary Monty Python member/writer/producer/lecturer (and silly walk advocate) John Cleese returns to Montreal to prove to his legion of local fans that he is still alive and well, which explains why he has called his new tour “Not Dead Yet!”, and makes a one night only stop at

Beyond the Festival Circuit: How Montrealers are Embracing the New Digital Leisure

Montreal has always been a city of experiences. From the jazz-filled streets of the Plateau to the high-energy nightlife of Crescent Street, we are a community that thrives on atmosphere and social connection. However, as our local tech scene continues to boom, a new trend is quietly reshaping how we spend our downtime. Digital entertainment