Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province plans to opt out of the federal government’s dental care plan by 2026.
In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Smith says the program 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,” she said in the letter.
Smith says that in the meantime she wants to negotiate getting Alberta’s share of the federal funding in order for the province to support dental care as it sees fit.
The $13-billion program began covering younger children and seniors in May and is being expanded to all those under 18 and people with disabilities.
Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange’s office says the Canadian Dental Care Plan duplicates coverage provided by Alberta’s low-income dental programs.
The Canadian Dental Association has raised concerns about the voluntary federal program, saying confusion over what is covered and who qualifies has added extra pressure at dental offices and undermines patient care.