Smith tells Trudeau Alberta will opt out of federal dental plan
Alberta is opting out of the federal dental plan, the premier told the Canadian government late Tuesday afternoon.
In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Danielle Smith said the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) infringes on provincial jurisdiction.
"If a new health program was to be developed by the federal government, it should be done in full collaboration with provinces and territories, and discussions should have occurred before these intentions are announced. Unfortunately, this did not occur," Smith wrote.
"As such, Alberta intends to opt out of the federal plan and maintain its provincial programs for Albertans. Alberta is seeking to negotiate an agreement for the province’s share of federal dental funding and will use this unconditional funding to expand dental coverage to more low-income Albertans. We anticipate our respective officials can negotiate mutually agreeable terms within a two-year timeframe and plan to opt out by 2026."
'Not a free program'
Last December, Ottawa promised to spend $13 billion over the next five years on the plan.
Canadians who filed a tax return last year with no access to dental insurance and earning less than $90,000 are eligible.
The program already covers kids under 12 and seniors over 65. Now it will also include all children under 18 and anyone with a valid disability tax credit certificate.
"It does create a lot more paperwork. On top of that, though, there is just such an unknown. We don't quite know who is even covered," Alberta Dental Association president-elect Dr. Hans Herchen said.
He's part of the roughly 60 to 70 per cent of Alberta dentists not currently signed up for the program. He cites concerns of misinformation and argues patients are being promised "free care" when they may still be expected to pay out of pocket.
"This is not a free program," he said. "That's a very real concern. So many Canadians have been told their dental will now be free."
Dr. Joel Antel, president of the Canadian Dental Association, said: "Dental offices [are] reporting they have to spend up to an hour a day taking people away from clinical and admin time to explain the program."
He also says the plan will limit patient choice.
"You are also going to have people left in a very sad situation of having to go to dental office to dental office asking, 'Are you taking part?'"
Canada's health minister insists dentists were consulted in the plan's creation, promising work is underway to get more on board.
"We expect very soon to see most provinces, over half of oral health professionals, participating," Holland said.
Health Canada says more than two-million seniors have enrolled in the program, including more than 100,000 Albertans, said Christopher Aoun, press secretary to Holland.
"Albertans and Canadians deserve high quality, affordable oral health care, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan is delivering exactly that," Aoun told CTV News Edmonton in a statement.
"We look forward to working with the province so Albertans can get the dental care they need.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Biden and Harris call the Israeli strike killing Hezbollah’s Nasrallah a 'measure of justice'
The Israeli strike that killed Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah was a 'measure of justice' for victims of a four-decade 'reign of terror,' U.S. President Joe Biden said Saturday.
SpaceX launches rescue mission for 2 NASA astronauts who are stuck in space until next year
SpaceX launched a rescue mission for the two stuck astronauts at the International Space Station on Saturday, sending up a downsized crew to bring them home but not until next year.
LGBTQ2S+ minister Pascale St-Onge to make history with parental leave
Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge is set to make history by becoming the first openly lesbian cabinet minister to take parental leave when her wife gives birth in the coming weeks.
At least 52 dead and millions without power after Helene's deadly march across southeastern U.S.
Hurricane Helene caused at least 52 deaths and billions of dollars of destruction across a wide swath of the southeastern U.S. as it raced through, and more than three million customers went into the weekend without any power and for some a continued threat of floods.
United States takes 8-6 overall lead at Presidents Cup with 3-1 third round
The United States has recaptured the lead at the Presidents Cup after a 3-1 third round of four-ball play at Royal Montreal Golf Club.
They hit it off on vacation but then he went silent. So she decided to pick up the phone
When a few weeks passed and Nana Prempeh still hadn’t heard from the guy she met on vacation, she turned to her friends for advice.
What is open and closed this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
This Monday, Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), a federal statutory holiday and day of remembrance for the Indigenous children who never came home from Canadian residential schools, as well as those who survived them.
Sima Sistani, who embraced Ozempic, is out as CEO of WeightWatchers
WeightWatchers CEO Sima Sistani, who pushed the company into embracing weight-loss drugs, is leaving the position after a two-and-a-half year stint.
Scientists discover hidden ancient forest on treeless island
Trees haven't grown on the Falkland Islands for thousands of years. But tree trunks and branches preserved in peat suggest the islands were once home to a forest.