NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh today repeated a promise from the party’s 2019 campaign to implement a federal program that would subsidize the costs of dental care for Canadians who lack insurance.
Singh made the pledge in the Newfoundland and Labrador riding of St. John’s South–Mount Pearl as the party fights to expand its Atlantic Canada caucus from one seat.
“I’ve heard story after story from people who cannot get their teeth looked after,” said Singh.
“This is where we see one of the greatest divides: If you’ve got the right job, if you have enough money, you can get your teeth looked after. But for everyone else, they’re kind of left high and dry.”
Singh said the program would partly cover expenses of Canadians with an annual income of less than $90,000 per year, and fully cover people who earn less than $60,000 per year.
6.5 million Canadians would benefit, NDP says
In a news release, the NDP said the program would benefit 6.5 million Canadians and save the average family $1,200 in dental fees each year.
A 2020 report by the Parliamentary Budget Office estimated the federal government would face a one-time upfront cost of about $3 billion and then $1.5 billion annually until 2024-25 to pay for a similar program.
An NDP government would cover the expenses with funds generated by a one per cent tax on households with wealth of more than $10 million, Singh said.
Singh was was joined for the announcement by St. John’s South–Mount…
