Federal health minister accuses Alberta premier of putting politics over patients in dental-care debate
Two days after Alberta informed Ottawa the province intends to "opt out" of a national dental-care program, the federal health minister says Danielle Smith is "trying to seek conflict" instead of focusing on patients.
Smith argues the federal government should work to expand Alberta's existing dental program instead of creating a "duplicate plan."
"If it's about patients and it's about care and (Alberta) thinks they can do better, great. But here's the news: they weren't covering these people. If it's their jurisdiction, then with all due respect, you weren't doing your job," federal Health Minister Mark Holland said Thursday morning.
"It seems the way that Premier Smith put it was more about trying to seek conflict with us to create some kind of political thing than it was about patients."
In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, Smith wrote there was a lack of consultation with provinces in crafting the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and that it should instead work in conjunction with Alberta's current dental programs.
"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," Smith wrote.
Two days after Alberta informed Ottawa the province intends to "opt out" of a national dental-care program, the federal health minister says Danielle Smith is "trying to seek conflict" instead of focusing on patients.
The CDCP is funded and managed by the federal government, not the province, so it's unclear what Smith means by her intention to "opt out," or what she's willing to do if the federal government continues administering the plan in Alberta beyond 2026.
"I suppose they could just say they want to operate a duplicate plan," Smith told CTV News on Thursday.
"But what we would prefer to see is for them to co-ordinate with our plans so that they would opt into what we're doing. I think it would make it a lot easier for dentists, who make it easier for clients," she said.
The federal plan is estimated to cost $13 billion over five years and there's no indication how much of that could be allocated to Alberta.
The national program started providing coverage for seniors in May and on Thursday was expanded to include all children under the age of 18 and adults with disabilities.
"It's not too late. I would hope that over the next couple of years, we would be able to have (the federal government) give us the dollars so that we can dedicate it to expanding our program," Smith said.
The Alberta Dental Association (ADA) says it has concerns with the province's decision to pull out of the national program.
The decision, the ADA says, "makes an already complex situation even more confusing for both patients and dentists."
"While our Association has met with the Province about existing low-income dental programs and the possibility of an Alberta-based program, our focus is on supporting Alberta's dentists and the oral health of all Albertans."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6952473.1720161807!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Japan’s tourism tax sparks industry speculation in Canada
Japan has introduced a tourism tax for Mount Fuji, which has prompted some in Canada to wonder if our own tourist destinations like Niagara Falls and the Bay of Fundy could be potential options for our own tourism tax.
Terrorism charges laid against B.C. woman who married ISIS fighter
A B.C. woman who was repatriated from a Syrian prison camp in 2022 has been arrested and charged with terrorism offences, police announced Saturday.
4 in 10 Canadians say theft is a risk a factor in vehicle purchasing: Nanos
As many as four out of 10 Canadians say it is 'important' to know if a vehicle they're interested in purchasing is more likely to be targeted by thieves, according to a new Nanos Research survey.
This Italian vacation hotspot is turning tourists away as it runs out of water
Set atop a hill on the Italian island of Sicily, Agrigento is a heritage tourist’s paradise. But the aqueduct, and others built in modern times, are running so dry that small hotels and guesthouses in the city and nearby coast are being forced to turn tourists away.
Trudeau to tell allies to stay resolute as Ukraine to at centre of NATO summit
Canada will be reassuring allies of its commitment to the western alliance as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travels to Washington, D.C., this week to take part in the NATO leaders' summit at a critical time for war-ravaged Ukraine.
Torrid heat bakes millions of people in large swaths of U.S., setting records and fanning wildfires
Roughly 130 million people were under threat over the weekend and into next week from a long-running heat wave that broke or tied records with dangerously high temperatures and is expected to shatter more from East Coast to West Coast, forecasters said.
Jon Landau, Oscar-winning 'Titanic' and 'Avatar' producer, dies at 63
Jon Landau, an Oscar-winning producer who worked closely with director James Cameron on three of the biggest blockbusters of all time, 'Titanic' and two 'Avatar' films, has died. He was 63.
How to lower your student debt -- and cut through misconceptions around it
Paying back student loans has always been a challenge, but at a time when housing and meals eat up a bigger slice of income than ever, making smart choices around loans and repayment is all too critical.
Vehicle supply building. Prices are going down. Is it time to buy a new car?
For the first time in years, car shoppers are having an easier time finding a deal as the auto industry bounces back from supply chain woes — and experts say the outlook could get even better.