(Ottawa) The new Canadian dental benefit is popular. Families of around 100,000 children have used it since it came into effect on 1er December, announced Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier on Friday. They estimate that it could help another 400,000 children.
Families whose income is less than $90,000 per year and who do not have access to a private dental insurance plan are entitled to it for children under 12 years of age. Parents or guardians then receive a tax-free check for $260, $390 or $650, depending on net household income, to cover dental expenses between the 1er October 2022 and June 30, 2023.
This temporary two-year program, created after the passage of Bill C-31 in November, is the first step in providing dental care to Canadians of all ages who need it. Its total cost is estimated at 938 million. This is one of the commitments of the Liberal Party of Canada in the agreement reached with the New Democratic Party (NDP). This pact allows the Liberals, who form a minority government, to stay in power until 2025.
In the last federal budget, the government provided $5.3 billion over five years from 2022-2023 for the creation of a national dental care program. It was planned to first cover under-12s in 2022 and gradually expand to under-18s, seniors and people with disabilities in 2023 until full implementation in 2025.