OTTAWA –
Sources close to the government’s proposed $5.3 billion dental care program say the Liberals are planning a temporary solution that includes giving money directly to patients to keep their NDP promise while they work on a more permanent one answer.
The Liberals promised the NDP a new dental care program for low- and middle-income families in March as part of a supply-and-confidence deal to stave off an election before 2025.
The government must by the end of the year provide some kind of coverage for children under 12 with an annual household income of less than $90,000, or the NDP has vowed to pull out of the deal.
Sources familiar with the government’s plans, but not authorized to speak publicly, said the government was unlikely to meet its deadline and was planning an interim solution until a permanent incarnation of the program was in place.
Although details are scarce, sources say the temporary solution will involve giving qualifying families the money directly to fund their dental health services while the government works on a more permanent, expanded program.
In a statement, the health secretary’s staff neither confirmed nor denied the interim plan, but said it was on track to meet the dental care commitment as outlined in the agreement with the New Democrats, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 8, 2022.
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