Health Committee on Oct. 24th, 2022

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Would it be fair to say that, if the government is stepping into providing relief or a benefit to Canadians, they will want to ensure at some point that dental care is going to be affordable with the $650 or whatever that benefit is?

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

In establishing the benefit level, as Minister Duclos indicated, we looked at a typical basket of services from preventative to treatment to curative. We have utilized information based on fee guides and an understanding of their evolution over time.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

With all due respect, is there anything stopping the dental associations, now that they see that this benefit is out there, from from raising their fees and making it once again unaffordable for these Canadians who are receiving this benefit?

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

I would just observe that the annual work on fee setting through the dental associations happens in a broader context, with their support for Canadians supported through programs of their employers, Canadians who pay out of pocket, their work with provinces and then this benefit, which will help address the gap faced by those people.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Will the government be overseeing that? Will it at one point be stepping in and doing its due diligence to make sure that $650, or whatever that benefit is set at in the future, is still going to have a measurable impact and be affordable to Canadians who are marginalized and require dental benefits?

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

As the bill envisages, it's an interim dental benefit over a two-year period as the government develops its longer-term program.

In developing a longer-term program, the government will be considering a whole range of factors, including working with all stakeholders, provinces and territories, dental associations and looking at those broader issues.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

I guess it's an easy question.

Will there be checks and balances? Will somebody from the government be checking to ensure that the independent dental associations are not going to take full advantage of the situation and raise the fee guides?

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

The government will certainly continue its engagement with those dental associations, and with a broad range of dental health and oral health stakeholders. Again, those fee guides and the dental associations work in the context of support for employer-based plans, people paying out of pocket and provincial services. There's a broader consideration than just this benefit.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

I appreciate that. Thank you.

Going back to the previous questioning, this is going to be solely based on an honour system. Canadians will apply for it. If they meet the criteria, they'll receive it, but there's no guarantee that they'll use that towards dental benefits. They could, as Mr. Powlowski commented, spend it on hockey gear or sporting equipment instead.

Is that correct?

[Lynne Tomson]

When they are applying for the benefit, they need to attest that they will be using the funds to bring their child to see an oral health practitioner. I use that term because it could be a dentist or an oral hygienist. There are different practitioners there.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Again, it's the honour system.

[Lynne Tomson]

There are teeth in the bill as well. There is compliance. If people are found to have provided misinformation, there are consequences, as outlined.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Okay. I appreciate that.

If Bill C-31 is adopted, applicants have a 90-day window after the RHBA comes into force in which to apply for the rental housing benefit. The bill also provides additional details on how the rental housing benefit would be administered.

If they miss that 90-day window, what provisions are in place for Canadians who require this relief?

[Nadine Leblanc, Senior Vice-President, Policy, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation]

Thank you for this question.

The 90-day window is definitely part of the bill. We are working with Revenue Canada to have some very strong communication plans to help Canadians get their income tax 2021 filing in time, so that it's done as fast as—

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

That's because it's based off of the previous year's income. Is that correct?

[Nadine Leblanc]

It's based on 2021 income. We are making sure they have access to My Account with CRA, because this is the platform that will get the most efficient dollars to Canadians as fast as we can. There is a large communication strategy in place to get to Canadians, including at the level of local communities and working with them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Mr. Doherty.

We have about three minutes left before 6:30.

Ms. Sidhu, you have the floor for that time. Go ahead.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My question is this: Would legal guardians be eligible to apply for the Canada dental benefit for children under 12 years of age who are in their care?

[Lynne Tomson]

Yes.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you.

Is there any other rationale you want to give to Canadians, like when it will start and who is going to eligible?

[Lynne Tomson]

I'm sorry, I didn't hear your last....

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Who is going to be eligible? Can you give us how many kids are getting benefits?

[Lynne Tomson]

We've estimated that 500,000 children would be receiving this benefit.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you very much, Ms. Sidhu.

Thank you to all of our officials. I understand that you're going to be back with us here in half an hour as we begin clause-by-clause. Thank you for taking the substantive questions. We look forward to having you back here after we take a little pause.

With that, is it the will of the committee to adjourn the meeting?