Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Feds award $15 million contract to Sun Life to lay groundwork for dental care program

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Sep, 2023 01:03 PM
  • Feds award $15 million contract to Sun Life to lay groundwork for dental care program

The federal government has awarded a contract worth up to $15 million to lay the groundwork for a new national dental insurance plan.

The new plan, which was a key demand from the NDP as part of the its supply and confidence agreement with the governing Liberals, will replace the interim dental benefit for kids rolled out last year.

Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Health Minister Mark Holland announced Wednesday the first contract for the new program was awarded to Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.

This initial contract is to cover setup costs while the final contract for the plan itself is negotiated. Initial costs include recruitment, technology and business planning.

The federal government says this interim agreement will allow for the "timely launch and successful operation" of the plan.

"The main contract is expected to be awarded in fall 2023, pending Government of Canada approval," a news release said.

In 2022 the Liberals delivered on a temporary dental benefit worth up to $650 for each child under 12, depending on family income. Last spring the government said 300,000 children had already received the benefit to help cover dental fees.

The NDP has pushed for dental care coverage for years and made it a deal breaker in negotiations with the Liberals in exchange for NDP support on key votes in the minority Parliament.

The new insurance program is expected to launch later this year with initial coverage for kids under the age of 18, people with disabilities and seniors.

The spring budget promised $13 billion over the next five years to implement the national dental care plan, which the federal government says will insure up to nine million people.

Families with net annual incomes below $90,000 will be covered by the plan, while those with incomes below $70,000 will have dental coverage with no co-pays.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada welcomes largest number of immigrants in first quarter since at least 1972

Canada welcomes largest number of immigrants in first quarter since at least 1972
Statistics Canada says the country welcomed more than 145,000 immigrants during the first three months of the year. That's the highest number for a single quarter on record, since comparable data became available in 1972.

Canada welcomes largest number of immigrants in first quarter since at least 1972

B.C. port union issues 72-hour strike notice affecting 7,400 workers

B.C. port union issues 72-hour strike notice affecting 7,400 workers
The union representing port workers in British Columbia says it has issued 72-hour strike notice and its members are ready to walk off the job on Saturday. The strike notice affects about 7,400 terminal cargo loaders and 49 of the province's waterfront employers in more than 30 B.C. ports.

B.C. port union issues 72-hour strike notice affecting 7,400 workers

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing female Navjot Baring

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing female Navjot Baring
UPDATE: The Surrey RCMP is pleased to confirm that the 22-year-old female who was reported missing on June 27, 2023 has been located.  

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing female Navjot Baring

B.C. agrees to delay ending immigration detention in correctional centres

B.C. agrees to delay ending immigration detention in correctional centres
Farnworth has now approved a "one-time" three-month extension of the deal until the end of October at the request of federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, on the condition that no new detainees will be accepted after July 31. 

B.C. agrees to delay ending immigration detention in correctional centres

Armed robbery in New Westminster

Armed robbery in New Westminster
Police flooded the area and soon located someone matching the suspect description at 6th Avenue and 8th Street. The suspect fled from police and after a foot pursuit, he was arrested. An officer was transported to local hospital after sustaining an injury during the foot pursuit.

Armed robbery in New Westminster

Canada bans testing of cosmetics on animals, in line with dozens of other countries

Canada bans testing of cosmetics on animals, in line with dozens of other countries
In addition to barring companies from testing their cosmetic products on animals in Canada, the regulations prevent new products that rely on animal testing data to establish product safety from being sold in this country.

Canada bans testing of cosmetics on animals, in line with dozens of other countries