The first stage of the Canada Dental Benefit officially became law Thursday night after Bill C-31 passed its final reading in the Senate and received royal assent from Governor General Mary Simon.
The benefit will provide dental care to 500,000 children between the ages of two and 12 at a cost of close to $1 billion.
Earlier this year, the Liberals and New Democrats struck a deal committing the NDP to voting with the minority Liberal government in the House of Commons on confidence votes until June of 2025. In exchange, the government agreed to meet a number of policy benchmarks along the way.
That deal committed the government to the goal of expanding the dental program to include those under 18 by next year, and all Canadians who qualify by the end of 2025.
“With this benefit, children will be able to access the basic dental care they need, while we develop a long-term Canada-wide dental care program,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said in a statement.
‘Just the first step’
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Thursday that he plans to ensure the Liberals follow through on the rest of the deal.
“This is just the first step, we’re going to keep fighting to make sure all Canadians can access comprehensive dental care as part of our health-care system,” Singh said in a statement.
Beginning later this year, children under 12 with family incomes of less than $70,000 a year will be able to qualify for $650 per year in dental coverage for the next two years.
Children in families with incomes between $70,000 and $79,000 will be able to qualify for $390 per child per year for the next two years.
Families with incomes between $80,000 and $89,000 could get $260 per child per year for the next two years.
The government says that further details on how and when to apply for the benefit will be communicated in due course, but parents will be able to apply to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) directly for the benefit, either through the CRA’s “My Account” or through a CRA contact centre.
To get the benefit, parents and guardians have to attest that their child does not have access to private dental care coverage and that they will use the benefit to pay for dental services.
Applicants will have to prove that they have a child in the eligible age range and that the family income fits into the correct range. Parents are also required to provide CRA with their employer’s information.
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