Late launch of dental program 'failure of government,' says Green leader
CBC
P.E.I. Opposition Leader Peter Bevan-Baker is calling out the provincial government for its failure to deliver a promised dental program for low-income Islanders.
The program would provide services for Islanders that fall in the gap between being on social services and not being able to afford private insurance.
Bevan-Baker said the Green Party first asked for the program in 2020, but it was understandably delayed by the pandemic. It came up again for the 2021 budget, and he said he was given a very firm promise it would be in the budget and launch July 1.
Bevan-Baker said he inquired about it in early July and was told it would be ready to go in a few days.
"Here we are, not just a few days later, but a few months later and the program has still not launched," he said.
"They're taking names and they're putting them on a list but as far as I know not one single Islander has received dental treatment through the expanded services that were promised to open on July the first."
A spokesperson for Health PEI said the program falls under that agency's jurisdiction, but provided no further information as to whether the program is currently available, and if not, when it will finally launch.