Feds award $15 million contract to Sun Life to lay groundwork for dental care program

The federal government says this interim agreement will allow for the “timely launch and successful operation” of the plan.

“The main contract is expected to be awarded in fall 2023, pending Government of Canada approval,” a news release said.

In 2022 the Liberals delivered on a temporary dental benefit worth up to $650 for each child under 12, depending on family income. Last spring the government said 300,000 children had already received the benefit to help cover dental fees.

The NDP has pushed for dental care coverage for years and made it a deal breaker in negotiations with the Liberals in exchange for NDP support on key votes in the minority Parliament.

The new insurance program is expected to launch later this year with initial coverage for kids under the age of 18, people with disabilities and seniors.

The spring budget promised $13 billion over the next five years to implement the national dental care plan, which the federal government says will insure up to nine million people.

Families with net annual incomes below $90,000 will be covered by the plan, while those with incomes below $70,000 will have dental coverage with no co-pays.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2023.

Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Feds award $15 million contract to Sun Life to lay groundwork for dental care program

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