The Jagmeet Singh led NDP’s deal with Justin Trudeau Liberals have secured dental care for Canadians who can’t afford it. In Thursday’s federal budget, the NDP used their power to fight for Canadians and secure historic results that will make life more affordable for families in B.C.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

BURNABY —The Jagmeet Singh led NDP’s deal with Justin Trudeau Liberals have secured dental care for Canadians who can’t afford it.

NDP MP Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby) met with people in his community Friday who desperately need dental care and help to afford the medication they need. 

In Thursday’s federal budget, the NDP used their power to fight for Canadians and secure historic results that will make life more affordable for families in B.C.

“The NDP is using our power to secure results the Liberals haven’t delivered during their 6 years in government,” said Julian. “These results will make a big difference in people’s lives. In the next twelve months, children under 12 will have access to dental care. This was a long time coming and New Democrats didn’t give up until this became a reality.”

Because of the NDP, the budget includes investments to move forward with the NDP dental care plan, starting with children under 12 in the next twelve months. It will then expand to cover people 18-years-old and under, people with disabilities and seniors in 2023 and then full implementation by 2025. The final program would provide dental coverage for uninsured families making less than $90,000. This program would save households at least $1,200 annually and benefit 6.5 million people. 

“My teeth have not been cleaned for 5 years because I cannot afford it,” said Phil Stuart, constituent of New Westminster—Burnaby. “I have two cavities, but I don’t have money to pay for the dental treatment. I am grateful for Mr. Julian and the NDP for forcing the Liberal government to implement dental care for low-income folks like me.”

“Besides dental care, a pharmacare plan is closer to becoming a reality for Canadians struggling to afford their medication,” added Julian. “After the Liberals literally abandoned their Pharmacare promise in their 2021 platform, because of the NDP, the budget includes the steps mentioned in our agreement with the government to move towards a universal and national pharmacare program. New Democrats will continue to fight for you and your family.”

 Earleir NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and former NDP Leader Ed Broadbent discussed how New Democrats we are using their power to fight for everyday people and deliver the biggest expansion of health care in a generation – with dental care and pharmacare– and help for those struggling to find a place to live.

“Canadians need help now. And they want politicians to get to work to deliver that help,” said Singh. “In the last Parliament, the Liberals and Conservatives voted against getting pharmacare and dental care for people. But New Democrats never gave up and now we have real commitments to get Canadians the drug coverage and dental care they desperately need – these programs will save families thousands of dollars. You can count on New Democrats to keep using our power to secure the help that the government hasn’t delivered – help that will make a big difference in people’s lives.”

The agreement between the Liberals and New Democrats will ensure, among other things, dental care for millions of uninsured Canadians, beginning with children under 12 years-old, a pathway forward for drug medication coverage for all Canadians and help for people struggling to find a home they can afford in the communities where they live and work. 

“Now more than ever, we need to come together to help each other and to deliver help for Canadians. As we come out of the pandemic, we need to build a brighter future that includes everyone — that’s more affordable, equal, hopeful and secure,” said Singh. “That’s why we’re pushing the Liberals to do more for people. We won’t let the government off the hook – we will use our power to fight for the help that you and your family need now. And we will keep fighting to make life better.”