MEDIA RELEASE
13.8.2022
New Democrats Force the Liberals to Act: Wins for Everyday Canadians
Whether it’s sky-high rent and housing costs, gas pump gouging, or record-high grocery bills – working families are feeling the squeeze of inflation as big box stores and CEOs earn massive profits. At the NDP caucus retreat in Halifax last week, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh reiterated urgent calls for inflationary relief measures to address the affordability crisis.
“Families are playing by the rules, doing everything right, but still can’t get ahead. And the rising costs of housing, groceries, and gas for families – while big companies and the super-rich make billions off them in profits – is stretching family budgets even more,” said Singh
New Democrats used their power in the minority parliament to get wins for everyday people, forcing the Liberals to finally agree to take action on a historic expansion of Canada’s healthcare system through the establishment of a dental care program for families earning less than $90,000 without insurance and an increase to the Canadian Housing Benefit – real measures that will help household budgets.
As the first step in establishing a national dental care program to meet the NDP's demands, the government announced a payment of up to $650 per child under 12, for families without insurance and incomes less than $90,000, so that kids can afford to go to the dentist. While it will take time to establish the full program, this marks the first step to ensure access to dental care for middle- and lower-income Canadians.
In addition, the NDP has also pushed the government to deliver a one-time $500 top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit, a direct payment to low-income Canadians who are struggling with high costs of housing, spending more than 30% of their income on rent. The announcement today means 2 million Canadians will receive some support in the face of the affordability crisis.
To further help Canadians, the NDP has also continuously called on the government to double the GST/ HST tax credit, providing direct financial support to working families who need it most. After months of pressuring the Liberals government to do the right thing, the Liberals agreed to double the GST/HST tax credit, putting up to $467 directly in the pockets of 12 million everyday Canadians.
“Liberals and Conservatives have rejected NDP proposals to make life more affordable countless times. Finally, the Liberals have agreed to NDP demands to put money back in the pockets of families. New Democrats will keep fighting for you and your families,” said NDP Housing Critic MP Jenny Kwan.
While these measures will provide some relief to Canadians with the rising cost of living, New Democrats know there is much more work to be done to make life more affordable.
As the minority Parliament is set to resume in two weeks, New Democrats will continue to use their power to force the Liberals to do more for everyday Canadians.
Key facts:
• Despite calling for inflation relief since early May, the Liberals have failed to move on any help to put money back in people’s pockets.
• The most common surgery performed on preschool children at most pediatric hospitals in Canada is treatment of dental decay.
• In Canada, an estimated one per cent of all emergency room visits in a given year are made by patients with non-urgent dental conditions, such as toothaches or tooth decay.
• Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government, voted with the Conservatives against the NDP’s motion to give millions of Canadians access to dental care, as a first step towards universal, public dental care twice just last year.
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