Evidence of meeting #146 for Health in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was you're.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Catherine Ngando Edimo
Eric Costen  Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Health
Heather Jeffrey  President, Public Health Agency of Canada
Celia Lourenco  Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
Jocelyne Voisin  Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health

Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

Thank you.

This is my final question, because I just have a few seconds left.

We have the issue of expanding the program, and the minister was clear about moving on that, as many Canadians want to have access to dental care. At the same time, there is a small percentage—a flake rate—of people who no longer meet the income eligibility rule for family income over the course of a year because their income may go up. I would hope that the government is putting the emphasis on getting new people into the program rather than addressing that flake rate.

Internally, is there an estimate of what that flake rate might be?

5:30 p.m.

Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Health

Eric Costen

I'm not aware of an estimate that we have for that adjustment. We're very aware of it, and that's part of the thinking we're doing around the annual verification of eligibility, but I don't have an estimate as to what the rate might be.

Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

I would suggest that it's very low.

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Thank you both.

Thanks for your patience and professionalism in responding to our questions.

We have a few people rushing off to the airport now. Is it the will of the committee to adjourn the meeting?

Some hon. members

Agreed.

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Thanks, everyone. We are adjourned.