Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to my colleagues and to the minister and his team for being with us this afternoon.
It wasn't so long ago that you came to visit me in the riding of Fredericton, and we went to the Stepping Stone Senior Centre. We had a great conversation around dental care. Of course, I know that, according to the 2024-25 departmental plan, the Canadian dental care plan will be a key area of focus for Public Services and Procurement Canada. I'll take my time today to kind of delve into this really important program for Canadians.
Specifically, we were speaking to seniors, and many of them had questions and concerns. You were able to answer those questions for them and really bring assurances because in my home province of New Brunswick, 57% of those over the age of 65 do not have dental insurance.
Could you explain how the Canadian dental care plan will address the needs of vulnerable populations, such as low-income children, seniors and people with disabilities?