NDP delivering dental care that saves families in Newfoundland and Labrador around $1,300
On Wednesday, Canada’s NDP candidate for St. John’s East and party president, Mary Shortall, joined former NDP MP Jack Harris to discuss how the new NDP national dental care program will help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
The dental plan New Democrats forced the Liberal government to deliver through their Supply and Confidence Agreement is based on a motion Harris brought forward in 2021 which both Conservatives and Liberals voted against.
“No senior or child in this country should have to live in pain because the cost of dental care is too high,” said Shortall. “New Democrats know that’s unacceptable and that’s why we’ve been fighting for years to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians get the care they need. Shamefully, Trudeau’s out-of-touch Liberals and the cut-and-gut Conservatives voted against giving Canadians dental care when our very own Jack Harris brought the proposal forward. Jagmeet Singh and the NDP didn’t give up on getting people the help they deserve and now this program is becoming a reality.
“While Conservatives are voting to cut services hardworking people need, New Democrats are helping millions of Canadian seniors, kids under 18 and people living with a disability get dental care.”
The national program will start by covering 4.5 million seniors, people with disabilities, and children under 18 who don’t have private insurance and make under $90,000. By end of 2025, it is estimated that 9 million eligible Canadians can benefit from this program. An average family could save around $1,300 per year.
“Times are tough for people. The cost-of-living remains high and Canadians need some relief,” said Harris. “Politicians like Pierre Poilievre who have had access to tax-payer funded dental care for the last 20 years have no business telling families in our province they should have to scrimp and save to get their children or aging parents the oral health care they require,” said Harris. “The dental care New Democrats have finally delivered will make a huge difference for people in this province. Because of New Democrats, families across Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to get to the dentist, save money and keep their loved ones healthier.”
For more information, please contact: NDP Media Centre: 613-222-2351 or media@ndp.ca.