Canada Introduces Permanent Dental Care Program as Part of 2023 Federal Budget - The Facts

On March 28, 2023, the Canadian Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced the 2023 Canadian Federal Budget in the House of Commons - which is expected to pass given the Liberal-NDP agreement.

The budget contained various measures aimed at improving the lives of Canadians, including the introduction of a new permanent dental care program. The government had previously announced plans for the dental care program, and the 2023 Budget provides further details about the eligibility criteria and administration of the program.

The dental care program is aimed at providing coverage to uninsured Canadians with an annual family income of less than $90,000. Those with a family income under $70,000 will have no co-pays. The program is expected to begin providing coverage by the end of 2023 and will include previously noted groups such as seniors and persons with disabilities. Health Canada will administer the program, with support from a third-party benefits administrator.

“We will begin rolling out a dental care plan that will eventually cover up to 9 million uninsured Canadians,” Chrystia Freeland said in a press conference on Tuesday.

The government has also committed to introducing legislation that will require employers and employer pension plans to report existing dental coverage offered to employees and plan members through T4/T4A reporting. This move is aimed at increasing transparency around dental coverage and ensuring that Canadians have access to the dental care they need.

The new dental care program is part of the government's broader commitment to improving access to healthcare for all Canadians. The government has also announced a number of other measures aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Canadians, including increased funding for mental health services, investments in public health infrastructure, and measures to address the opioid crisis.

While the dental care program has been welcomed by many, its effectiveness will need to be monitored as it rolls out later this year.

You can view the press release here, and full 2023 Canadian Federal Budget here.

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