The federal NDP Leader met with students at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Dentistry today (Thurs), telling them that it was the NDP which forced the Liberal government into the free dental care program and the expansion announced in the budget last month. Jagmeet Singh explains that for seniors, children 18 and under and people with disabilities, dental care will be free, by the end of this year. It is estimated this will save families on average about $1200 a year, not to mention the pain incurred from not getting dental work done because it wasn’t affordable. He notes that both the Liberal government and the Conservatives have voted against this in the past, but the NDP forced the federal government to do this. Singh says the NDP also called for a doubling of the GST rebate, which came to fruition and was announced in the budget.

The two highest priorities for the NDP right now are expanding Employment Insurance and taking action on the housing crisis. Singh explains that if there is a recession, E.I. needs to cover all workers, but right now the current program only covers about 40 per cent of Canada’s workers, leaving 60 per cent high and dry if a recession hits. He also suggests the federal government isn’t taking the housing crisis seriously enough. The NDP Leader would like to see more affordable housing being built across the country.

Below: NDP Leader learning about dental technology