C-31Royal assent received

Law about help with dental bills and rent

Help with dental and rent costs

Introduced Sep 20, 2022·Last discussed Nov 17, 2022

Summary

This new law, called the Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2, helps with dental and rental costs. It has two main parts. First, it provides money to eligible parents to help pay for dental care for their children under 12. The amount of money they get depends on their income, with lower-income families receiving more. Second, it gives a one-time payment of $500 to renters with low incomes who are struggling to afford rent. This law affects families with children under 12 who need dental care and renters who have low incomes. To get the dental benefit, parents must apply and meet certain requirements, such as having an adjusted family income below $90,000. To get the rental benefit, renters must also apply and meet income requirements. This law matters because it gives direct financial help to people who are struggling with the high costs of dental care and housing. It aims to make life more affordable for families and renters who need it most. The dental benefit is an interim measure while the government works on a longer-term national dental care program.

Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

This bill

Taxes & Government SpendingExpand government programs significantly

The bill increases government spending through dental care subsidies and rental assistance, indicating a move towards expanding government programs.

HealthcareExpand public coverage (dental, pharma)

The dental care component expands public healthcare coverage, moving towards a more universal system.

Housing & Cost of LivingMajor public housing and rent controls

The one-time payment to renters is a direct intervention to address housing affordability, indicating a move towards addressing cost of living through government action.

Education & ChildcareMaintain current education funding

While the bill doesn't directly address education, the dental care benefits for children could be seen as a minor expansion of support for families with children, nudging it slightly towards the +2 end.

Bill Quality

Solid

This proposed law introduces a dental benefit for children under 12 from eligible families, which is a positive step towards addressing the cost of dental care. However, the benefit is temporary and has income restrictions, which means some families may not qualify or may only receive partial coverage.

Things to Watch For

The dental benefit is only available for a limited time.
Families with income above $90,000 will not be eligible.
The amount of the benefit depends on income level.
Shared-custody parents receive a reduced benefit amount.
The law relies on self-attestation, which could lead to fraud.
It's unclear how the government will ensure dental providers do not inflate prices.
The law does not address dental care access for adults or those over 12.

Progress

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