BREAKING Loblaw agrees to sign grocery code of conduct after months of negotiations
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. said Thursday it's ready to sign on to the grocery code of conduct, paving the way for an agreement that's been years in the making.
The Canadian government's approach to universal dental care should include preserving private dental insurance programs and using existing clinics should be part of the Canadian government's approach to universal dental care, the Canadian Dental Association says.
On Tuesday the association released a policy paper following consultations with federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, provincial and territorial dental associations and dentists from across Canada.
They put forth several recommendations for the Liberal government, urging them to have a national oral health strategy in place by April 2025.
Dentists across Canada could see up to 9 million new patients as a result of the government's new universal dental-care program, the report says, but it cautions that new policies are needed.
"It's a massive undertaking and we are pleased to see that this attention is being given to oral health care because we know there's a sizable number of Canadians that don't access regular dental care because of cost," said Dr. Lynn Tomkins, the Canadian Dental Association president, in an interview with The Canadian Press.
The recommendations include using existing dental offices, addressing staffing shortages so people don't have to endure long wait-lists, ensuring that treatment costs are fully covered, and undertaking a survey on oral health.
The association also wants the government to explore incentivizing employers so they continue to offer dental insurance to workers.
"We are concerned that whatever the government brings out, it does not disrupt the current ecosystem of third-party employer-sponsored health benefits," Tomkins said.
"We wouldn't want to see you lose your dental plan."
The association also recommends the federal government do a legislative review of dental care every five years, and collaborate with provinces and territories on its rollout.
Universal access to dental care is set to be fully implemented by 2025. Children under the age of 12 who are from lower-income families currently eligible to receive a children's dental benefit through the Canada Revenue Agency.
This year, it's expected the coverage will be expanded to teens, seniors and those living with a disability.
The Liberals said the benefit is intended to provide cost-of-living relief to low-income Canadians.
The current benefit is available to families whose household income is less than $90,000 a year and ranges from $260 to $650 per child depending on net income.
The NDP pushed for a universal dental-care program as part of an agreement to support the minority Liberals on major legislation and confidence votes until 2025.
Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer has said the current dental benefit is superficial, and that handing out cash could contribute to inflation and make the cost of living worse.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 28, 2023.
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. said Thursday it's ready to sign on to the grocery code of conduct, paving the way for an agreement that's been years in the making.
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
To give Canadians a break on their summer road trips, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to suspend all gas and diesel taxes from Victoria Day to Labour Day.
A Montreal father who kidnapped his daughter who has autism and lied to police when they asked where she was should serve three years in prison, a Crown prosecutor said.
Police are alleging that Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ Aiden Pleterski was soliciting investments as recently as February – almost two years after he was petitioned into bankruptcy for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme worth more than $40 million.
Many Canadians found a message from the Canada Revenue Agency this week as they received their first direct deposit for the Canada Carbon Rebate.
A medical examiner says a Massachusetts teen who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge died from ingesting a substance 'with a high capsaicin concentration.'
Auto technology has evolved and many newer cars use wireless key fobs and push-button starters instead of traditional metal keys. But that technology also makes things easier for thieves.
Scientists from the University of Western Australia and Kelpsie Geociences in the U.K. say they were surprised to discover an underwater camera caught video of a rare deep-sea squid.
A Starbucks fan — whose name is Winter — is visiting Canada on a purposeful journey that began with a random idea at one of the coffee chain's stores in Texas.
Members of Piapot First Nation, students from the University of Winnipeg and various other professionals are learning new techniques that will hopefully be used for ground searches of potential unmarked grave sites in the future.
ALS patient Mathew Brown said he’s hopeful for future ALS patients after news this week of research at Western University of a potential cure for ALS.
When Adam Kirschner wrote 'Slap Shot,' he never imagined the song would be embraced by his favourite team.
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
A $200 reward is being offered by a North Vancouver family for the safe return of their beloved chicken, Snowflake.
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.
YES Theatre Young Company opened its acclaimed kids’ show, One Small Step, at Sudbury Theatre Centre on Saturday.