Switching to a different subject, the Canadian Dental Association says that at least 32% of Canadians—one in three—don't have dental insurance. Millions of Canadians suffer from oral disease because they can't afford to visit a dentist. This disproportionately affects indigenous people, children, single-parent families, women and low-income Canadians. It leads to pain, serious illness, mental health issues, social exclusion and loss of employment opportunities.
Minister, considering that oral health is as important to overall health as the health of any other part of our body, why is your government doing nothing to address this serious gap in public health care?