NDP leader says party will ‘force’ government to move on dental care, housing

Sources told The Canadian Press last month that the Liberals are unlikely to meet the first deadline and are planning a stopgap solution until a permanent incarnation of the program is ready.

Four sources with knowledge of the government’s plan, but who are not authorized to speak publicly, said the temporary solution would involve giving qualifying families the money directly to fund their dental health services while the government works on a more permanent, expanded program.

Singh said Wednesday he’s very confident the first target of dental care for children will be met by the end of the year, warning there will be “repercussions” if it isn’t.

“We want to make sure people get the dental care that we fought so hard to force this government to deliver,” Singh said.

When the House of Commons resumes sitting in mid-September, his party will focus on pushing the government to address affordability issues amid the rising cost of living, the NDP leader said.

“With the cost of living going up, inflation going up, that requires giving people some support,” he said.

Singh said he wants the federal GST credit doubled and he wants increases to the Canada Child Benefit and Canada Housing Benefit programs in order to “put more money” in families’ pockets.

Singh also expressed concern over Wednesday’s news that the Bank of Canada increased its key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to 3.25 per cent.

“We understand that the Bank of Canada is independent, but I’m deeply concerned that the approach is: don’t increase wages for workers, increase interest rates,” Singh said.

Singh said this will “put more burden on the backs of workers and do nothing about corporate greed.”

He added that he’s disappointed to see big box stores and retail chains “increasing their prices beyond the increase in cost to make record profits” and said he wants the federal government to tax what he calls excess profits of large corporations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2022.

—

This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

Lyndsay Armstrong, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

NDP leader says party will ‘force’ government to move on dental care, housing

What's Trending