Andrea Horwath is hoping the NDP’s $1.2 billion public dental plan will have Ontario voters smiling at her party this spring.Unveiling details of the scheme Monday at Queen’s Park, Horwath said it would help some 4.5 million Ontarians who do not enjoy workplace dental benefits.“No one should have to live in pain,” the New Democratic leader told reporters.“No one should go years without a visit to the dentist because they are a part-time worker or a contract worker or because they’re retired,” she said.Read more: Horwath promises NDP will give Ontario full dental coverage, convert student loans to grantsHorwath says NDP is only alternative to Liberals because Tories are a ‘train wreck’Progressive Conservatives driving towards majority government, poll suggests“And no Mom or Dad should ever — ever — have to put their little one’s check-up off or fillings off because money is too tight.”Stressing “we can do so much better,” Horwath said the new Ontario Benefits would create a minimum standard for dental plans that will apply to all employers.Currently, about two-thirds of Ontario companies provide dental benefits to employees. The NDP plan would expand that to the remaining third as well as those who are unemployed or self-employed.Businesses will be given the option of participating in the public Ontario Benefits program or a comparable private workplace benefits plan.It would be free for anyone earning less than $30,000 a year and the most anyone would have to contribute off their paycheque to cover the employees’ portion of the mandatory plan would be $4.33 a week.“Mom and Pop family businesses are going to have an even playing field when it comes to recruiting and retaining employees, and taking care of their staff,” she added.“And artists and entrepreneurs will have the freedom to pursue their dreams, without worrying that their health or the ...
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