Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his return as the dean of the NDP caucus.
Children are suffering in our communities today. There are children in my community, for example, who need food at the table, and we need the government to bring a national food program into schools. That is one item.
On the issue around dental care and how people deal with a dental issue, it will make a difference in their lives, and not just at that moment. Dental care can build up their confidence, and it has life-long implications. If we address dental issues now, it can prevent other illness down the road, which will save money in the health care system. As well, I have people in my community today who, because of their dental issues and the lack of dental services, are unable to apply for employment. They are embarrassed about their teeth and do not have the confidence to apply for employment.
I think that by doing this, we will actually save money down the road. It is the right thing to do. The formula that the NDP has put forward is one that would work. Let us cap the tax changes at $90,000. Then that money, the $1.6 billion that would be saved from that change, could be invested into a dental care program that would support some 4.3 million Canadians from coast to coast to coast.