OTTAWA –
The Liberals’ proposed dental care benefit is vulnerable to fraud if verification measures aren’t put in place, Canada’s Parliamentary funds officer Yves Giroux warned Tuesday because the laws is nearing a remaining vote within the House of Commons.
Giroux was on the Senate Finance Committee to reply questions in regards to the costing evaluation of the bill, which proposes a dental care benefit in addition to rental assist.
The PBO not too long ago estimated that the dental benefit will price $703 million, whereas the rental assist will price up to $940 million.
But Giroux advised senators that the PBO’s evaluation didn’t keep in mind the potential for fraudulent claims. He warned the general price may be larger if the federal government does not take steps to confirm the claims are reputable.
“The potential for fraud will in all probability be important so it’s going to rely on sturdy enforcement and verification measures,” Giroux stated.
The proposed laws would solely require Canadians to attest that they’ve obtained or plan to obtain dental companies and isn’t lined by an insurance coverage program.
The bill features a new dental-care benefit for kids underneath 12 in low- and modest-income households and a one-time $500 allowance for low-income renters.
The Liberals fast-tracked Bill C-31 by way of the well being committee Monday evening and is anticipated to come to a 3rd and remaining vote within the House of Commons on Thursday.
It additionally should move the Senate earlier than it could possibly be carried out.
Both the lease help and the dental benefit are parts of the supply-and-confidence settlement between the Liberals and the NDP, which noticed the Liberals agree to transfer on some NDP priorities in change for that social gathering’s assist on key votes.
The dental benefit is supposed to be an interim measure whereas the federal government works on a extra full dental-care program.
Given the advantages will be administered by way of the Canada Revenue Agency, Giroux additionally stated the federal government may be doing extra to attain Canadians who do not file their taxes however qualify for advantages.
“More and extra advantages depend on the tax system,” stated Giroux. “Yet the federal government will not be as proactive as you’ll assume it will be in 2022, for instance, in reaching out to these people.”
The third plank within the Liberals’ plan to assist individuals deal with the rising price of dwelling was handed final week with the assist of all events, doubling the GST benefit for the subsequent six months.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Oct. 25, 2022.