Today, Bill C-31, the Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2 (Targeted Support for Households), received Royal Assent. This legislation delivers two targeted affordability measures for the Canadians who need it most: the Canada Dental Benefit and a one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit.

“Our government is delivering on our promise to support the Canadians most affected by inflation. By making sure children under 12 can see a dentist and by delivering important relief to low-income renters, we’re ensuring our support is compassionate, targeted, and fiscally responsible. And for those who need it most, it is coming at exactly the right time.”

- The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

“One-third of Canadians are unable to visit an oral health professional because they do not have dental insurance. The Canada Dental Benefit will get money into the pockets of families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford important care for their children. With this benefit, children will be able to access the basic dental care they need, while we develop a long-term Canada-wide dental care program.”

- The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health

“Our government continues to be there with responsible, targeted supports for Canadians in need. This $500 one-time, top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit will help those most vulnerable renters in these difficult times. By providing this payment, our government is ensuring that our most vulnerable neighbours continue to have access to housing—one of their most basic needs.”

 - The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

“We have proven experience helping Canadians get the benefits they need and we’re ready to do it again with these new measures that will make life more affordable. Canadians can expect simple and secure application processes that will help them get their payments quickly and easily.”

- The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue

• The measures in Bill C-31 and the recently adopted Bill C-30 represent a total of more than $4.5 billion in targeted support for the Canadians who need it most.

  • The Canada Dental Benefit will benefit an estimated 500,000 children.
  • The one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit will benefit an estimated 1.8 million low-income renters.

• These new measures are in addition to other measures that will support Canadians this year, including:

  • Doubling the GST Credit for six months to deliver $2.5 billion in additional targeted support to roughly 11 million individuals and families. Most eligible Canadians received their additional payment starting November 4.
  • Enhancing the Canada Workers Benefit at a cost of $1.7 billion in new support for an estimated three million low-income workers this year, with a couple receiving up to $2,400 more this year, and single workers receiving up to $1,200 more. Most recipients first received this additional support through their 2021 tax return.
  • Cutting regulated child care fees in half, on average, for Canadian families by the end of this year.
  • Increasing by 10 per cent the Old Age Security (OAS) pension for seniors 75 years and older, which will provide more than $800 in new support to full pensioners over the first year, and increase benefits for more than three million seniors.
  • Providing more support for students by doubling the Canada Student Grant amount until July 2023 and by waiving interest on Canada Student Loans through to March 2023.
  • Indexing important benefits to inflation, including the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

• On November 3, the government released the 2022 Fall Economic Statement which proposed further measures to enhance Canada’s social safety net and make life more affordable, including:

  • Permanently eliminating interest on federal student and apprentice loans.
  • Creating a new, quarterly Canada Workers Benefit with automatic advance payments for our lowest-paid workers.
  • Delivering on key pillars of the government’s plan to make housing more affordable, including the creation of a new Tax-Free First Home Savings Account, a doubling of the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit, and ensuring that property flippers pay their fair share.
  • Lowering credit card transaction fees for small business.

Associated links

• Canada Dental Benefit
• One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit
• Affordability Plan
• 2022 Fall Economic Statement
• Backgrounder: Making Life More Affordable
• Backgrounder: Making Housing More Affordable
• Legislation to double the GST Credit for six months receives Royal Assent

Media may contact:

Adrienne Vaupshas
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Adrienne.Vaupshas@fin.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
mediare@fin.gc.ca
613-369-4000

General enquiries
Finance Canada
Phone: 1-833-712-2292
Facsimile: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
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