MPs debate second reading of dental care, targeted inflation relief

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OTTAWA – Federal Conservatives say the Liberal dental-care and rental-housing relief legislation will only add to inflation without providing relief from the rising cost of living.

MPs today are debating the government’s legislation to create an annual $650 dental benefit for low- and middle-income families for every child under the age of 12.

The bill also gives low-income renters a one-time payment of $500.

A dentist at the Riley Hospital for Children Department of Pediatric Dentistry, checks the teeth of Justin Perez, 11, during an office visit in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. Conservative members of Parliament are arguing the Liberal’s dental-care and rental-housing relief legislation will increase inflation rather than provide relief from the rising cost of living.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Michael Conroy

The Conservatives are pushing an amendment to quash the bill entirely.

That is very unlikely to happen as the NDP and Liberals will both vote in favour of passing the bill.

Both initiatives were pushed by the NDP in exchange for its agreement to support the government on key votes until 2025.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2022.