May 4, 2021

NDP proposal would make dental care affordable for millions of Canadians

Today, New Democrats are urging the government to support their proposal to provide dental coverage to millions of Canadians who can’t afford a visit to the dentist. The NDP plan, brought forward today by NDP MP Jack Harris, is completely costed by the Parliamentary Budget Officer and would benefit 6.7 million people in Canada whose household income is less than $90,000 a year.

“Millions of people in Canada do not have adequate dental coverage, forcing them to put their health at serious risk. Young people, low-wage and precarious workers, and seniors, are often forced to leave their dental issues untreated because they can’t afford to visit the dentist,” said Gazan.

Right now, one in three Canadians don’t have access to dental coverage and more than one in five say the cost stops them from visiting a dentist. New Democrats want to end the gross inequality in access to basic healthcare and show the health and economic costs of the federal government’s inaction.

Left untreated, poor dental hygiene is linked to many serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease, dementia, respiratory infections and diabetic complications. Emergency rooms across the country are struggling to meet the demand caused by COVID-19. Yet, every nine minutes in Ontario alone, someone visits an emergency room for dental pain, when what they really need is to see a dentist. The estimated cost of these visits across Canada is more than $150 million per year.

“In their throne speech, the Liberals promised to get Canadians dental care. Last month’s budget proved that the Liberals like to break their promises,” said MP Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski). “That’s why we’ve brought forward this plan, to get Canadians the help they need now.”

Contact:

Claire Johnston

Latest posts

NDP MPs Leah Gazan and Jenny Kwan Join Women’s Organizations and Migrant Rights Advocates Condemning Bill C-12

NDP MPs Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) and Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East) are standing alongside women’s organizations and migrant rights advocates calling on all Members of Parliament to reject the Liberals’ border and immigration legislation, Bill C-12, expected to be voted on at third reading this week.

Statement from MP Leah Gazan on The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On the anniversary of École Polytechnique, let this be the moment we choose action over sorrow. Truth over silence. Justice over delay. We owe it to all of them.

NDP Critic for Persons with Disabilities MP Leah Gazan Statement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to reaffirm the rights of persons with disabilities - rights that are outlined in the Charter, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and international treaties and conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These constitutional rights are all too often violated or disregarded.