Once again, the NDP has found a way to leverage its position in the minority Parliament to bring important assistance to low-income Canadians struggling with the cost of dental care, housing, and the skyrocketing cost of living.
Working people in Canada are lucky we have Jagmeet and the NDP fighting for us in Parliament. The NDP has shown time and again its commitment to making the minority Parliament work for Canadians who are struggling with the pandemic and this tough economy.
Inflation is caused by corporate greed, not by low-wage workers struggling to get by. But while the Conservatives don’t think Canadian families deserve any support at all, it’s also evident that the Liberals only act when the NDP forces them to.
The deal announced today will bring forward an interim dental benefit for children under 12 who qualify, while the federal government works to finalize a national dental care program. Qualifying parents will receive $650 per child per year for the next two years. An estimated 500,000 people will get desperately needed help because of this agreement.
The deal also brings forward the Canada Housing Benefit, a one-time payment of $500 for low-income people who are spending over 30% of their income on rent. An estimated two million Canadians will see relief because of this program.
Finally, the NDP has also secured a doubling of the GST Tax Credit for six months, which will benefit over 12 million low- and middle-income Canadian families with up to $467 in relief.
It’s important for the federal government to take the time needed to get dental care done right, and in the meantime, this deal helps the lowest income Canadians with the devastating effects of high inflation in our economy.