This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.
Summary
This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.
Part 1 enacts the Dental Benefit Act , which provides for the establishment of an application-based interim dental benefit. The benefit provides interim direct financial support for parents for dental care services received by their children under 12 years of age in the period starting in October 2022 and ending in June 2024. Part 2 enacts the Rental Housing Benefit Act , which provides for the establishment of a one-time rental housing benefit for eligible persons who have paid rent in 2022 for their principal residence and who apply for the benefit. Finally, Part 3 makes related amendments to the Income Tax Act , the Excise Tax Act and the Excise Act, 2001 .
Elsewhere
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-31s:
C-31 (2021)
Reducing Barriers to Reintegration Act
C-31 (2014)Law
Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1
C-31 (2012)Law
Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act
Votes
Oct. 27, 2022Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing
Oct. 27, 2022Passed Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing
Oct. 27, 2022Passed Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing (report stage amendment)
Oct. 27, 2022Passed Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing (report stage amendment)
Oct. 19, 2022Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing
Oct. 19, 2022Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing (reasoned amendment)
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-31 aims to alleviate the cost of living for eligible Canadians through two main measures: a tax-free dental benefit of up to $650 per year for children under 12 in low- to middle-income families without private dental insurance and a one-time $500 payment to low-income renters who spend a significant portion of their income on rent. The dental benefit is intended as an interim measure while a comprehensive national dental care program is developed, and the rental benefit aims to provide immediate relief to struggling renters. The bill proposes to use the Canada Revenue Agency to administer the benefits.
Liberal
Supports dental benefit: The Liberal party supports the bill, which proposes a Canadian dental benefit to help families who are having difficulty paying for dental care for their children. The introduction of this benefit is viewed as the first step toward a comprehensive, long-term national dental care program.
Rent relief: The bill provides a one-time top-up to the Canada housing benefit, consisting of a single payment of $500 to approximately 1.8 million renters who are struggling to pay their rent. This federal allowance will be available to Canadians with adjusted net incomes of less than $35,000 for families, or $20,000 for individuals, and who pay at least 30% of their income on housing.
Addresses affordability: The Liberal speakers stated that the bill addresses the rising cost of living, particularly through higher food prices and rent. They argue that it will help families weather the impact of higher costs by putting more money back in the pockets of the middle class and those who are working hard to join it.
Provinces and territories: While this interim program is in place, the Government of Canada will take the necessary steps to build a comprehensive, longer-term dental care program. That includes engaging with key stakeholders, including the provinces and territories, indigenous organizations, dental associations and industry to help inform the approach to implementing a long-term Canadian dental care program.
Conservative
Against Bill C-31: The Conservative party is against Bill C-31, arguing that the proposed measures are insufficient to address the root causes of the cost-of-living crisis faced by Canadians. The Conservatives believe the bill fails to provide meaningful relief and could exacerbate inflation due to increased government spending.
Focus on fiscal responsibility: Conservatives advocate for fiscal responsibility, calling for controlled government spending and balanced budgets. They suggest measures like implementing a "pay as you go" system, identifying savings for every new expenditure, and avoiding further tax increases to alleviate the financial burden on Canadians.
Prioritize essential needs: The Conservatives emphasize the importance of prioritizing essential needs such as housing, food, and energy. They propose increasing domestic production, reducing reliance on foreign imports, and removing barriers to facilitate the growth of key sectors like agriculture and energy.
Support for tax cuts: The Conservatives strongly advocate for tax cuts, arguing that reducing the tax burden on individuals and businesses will stimulate economic activity and improve affordability. They propose canceling planned tax increases, including payroll tax hikes and carbon tax increases, to provide immediate relief to Canadians.
NDP
Supports dental care, housing: The NDP initiated and supports the bill, to establish the principle of dental care in Canada and supports for Canadians struggling to pay rent and keep a roof over their heads.
Fights corporate greed: The NDP argues that rising inflation is being driven by corporate greed, with CEOs' salaries and corporate profits skyrocketing while workers' wages lag behind; they want to make CEOs pay their fair share.
Liberals too slow: The NDP feels the Liberals are too slow to act and are only acting now because they were forced to by the NDP, while the Conservatives would let people fend for themselves.
A step to universal care: The NDP views the bill as a down payment on a permanent national dental care plan, ultimately achieving Tommy Douglas's vision of universal health care including dental, eye, and mental health.
Bloc
Not true dental insurance: The Bloc argues that Bill C-31 does not establish dental insurance but provides a benefit that does not adequately cover dental needs and involves a cumbersome process through the CRA's My Account portal. It is seen as a benefits increase disguised as a dental program involving red tape.
Infringes on provincial jurisdiction: Members emphasize that healthcare, including dental care, falls under provincial jurisdiction, particularly in Quebec, where existing programs have been in place since 1974. The federal government is criticized for infringing on provincial jurisdiction rather than increasing health transfers, which would be a more effective solution.
Superficial solution to housing: The proposed $500 rental housing benefit is dismissed as a band-aid solution that does not address the root causes of the housing crisis. Members call for sustainable, predictable programs and increased investment in social housing, pointing to examples like Vienna where a significant portion of housing is social housing.
Bill is politically motivated: The Bloc believes the bill is more about politics and optics than addressing substantive issues. They suggest the Liberal government is prioritizing a deal with the NDP over collaboration with other parties and respecting provincial jurisdiction, and implementing effective measures.
Green
Support dental care: The Green Party supports the bill's interim dental care benefit as a first step towards including dental care in the public health care system. The party had proposed this in 2015 and recognizes dental care's importance to overall health.
Health care system crisis: The Green Party acknowledges a broader health care crisis, with constituents concerned about the lack of family doctors, emergency service cuts and ambulance availability. They argue the bill does not address these pressing issues adequately.
Housing a human right: The Green Party supports addressing the housing crisis by recognizing housing as a fundamental human right. They advocate for strategies that target the root causes of housing unaffordability, such as the commodification of homes and the influence of real estate investment trusts.
REITs and affordable housing: The Green Party criticizes the tax exemption for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). They suggest taxing REITs at the regular corporate rate to generate revenue for affordable housing initiatives and counteract the commodification of housing.
If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the motion be adopted on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
Links & Sharing
Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2.Government Orders
