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Canada Dental Care Plan working but costing more than expected: auditor general
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 14:50:35.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Affordability, Finance, Social Services]A report by Auditor General Karen Hogan found that Health Canada's Canadian Dental Care Plan exceeded its initial budget commitments by $1.1 billion during the 2024–25 and 2025–26 fiscal years, with an anticipated further shortfall of $2.4 billion by 2032 due to higher-than-anticipated claim payments per member. While the program successfully reduced average household out-of-pocket dental expenses from $536 in 2023 to $264 for users, the audit revealed persistent public confusion, with 560,000 members (16 per cent of those accessing services in 2025) receiving full coverage, while dental providers spent roughly an hour a day addressing coverage ambiguities and call centres struggled to meet quality metrics. In response, Health Canada engaged the Office of the Chief Actuary to provide quarterly actuarial forecasts to improve claim payment projections and financial planning.
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S-253 (45-1) - Making Child Care More Affordable for Canadian Families Act
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-29 00:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Taxation, Affordability, Social Services, Governance]Bill S-253, titled the Making Child Care More Affordable for Canadian Families Act, was introduced and read for the first time in the Senate on October 29, 2026. The Senate Public Bill proposes to amend the Income Tax Act specifically regarding the child care expense deduction indexation. The legislation is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate during the 1st session of the 45th Parliament.
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Improved Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability Program Delivers Increased Support to Clients
Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-21 23:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Social Services, Affordability, Governance]The Government of Saskatchewan has implemented improvements to the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program, which provides benefits to more than 18,000 residents. Approximately 44 per cent of SAID clients (more than 7,700 people) experienced an increase in their monthly benefits, averaging $51 more per month, with certain families and rural residents seeing increases of up to $294 per month. The structural modifications and expansion of the Living Income Benefit delivered nearly $400,000 in additional benefits in September alone and are projected to inject approximately $4.7 million in extra support over the next year.
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N.W.T. expands home heating subsidy for seniors
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-21 18:06:17.0
Tags: [National, Seniors, Affordability, Social Services, Energy]The Government of the Northwest Territories announced modifications to the Senior Home Heating Subsidy by raising the household income threshold to $90,000 or less per year to expand financial assistance over the winter. The new policy replaces a previous three-zone system ranging from $66,000 to $87,000 with a uniform income cap while maintaining zone-based monthly subsidy rates of $530 for Zone 1, $685 for Zone 2, and $1,090 for Zone 3. Payments are distributed monthly between September and April, with previously denied applicants automatically reassessed and an application deadline set for March 15, 2027.
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Housing advocate fears removing rent control will thwart plan to end homelessness
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-15 19:45:44.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Affordability, Social Services, Governance]The Yukon territorial government endorsed the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition's 112-page community action plan to end homelessness, titled A Place to Be, while simultaneously introducing a bill in the Legislative Assembly via Community Services Minister Cory Bellmore to repeal rent caps and reintroduce no-cause evictions. Kristina Craig, executive director of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition, expressed concern that the elimination of rent control will jeopardize housing stability for current renters and undermine progress toward the plan's 29 recommendations. Scott Kent, the minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation, stated that the government supports the plan's vision but declined to endorse its target of reducing homelessness by 50 percent in two years, while highlighting forthcoming housing developments such as 34 units at the former Korbo apartment site in Dawson City and 184 units delivered in partnership with the Da Daghay Development Corporation.
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New Affordable Housing Coming to Bradford West Gwillimbury
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Date: 2026-10-15 19:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Municipal, Housing, Affordability, Infrastructure, Social Services]The Governments of Canada and Ontario announced nearly $15 million in funding through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) to construct 99 new affordable housing units at 31 Frederick Street in the Municipality of Bradford West Gwillimbury. Developed by LOFT Community Services, the Bradford House project provides supportive housing for seniors living with complex needs, featuring integrated physical, mental, and substance use health services. The funding package includes $15 million from COCHI, $24,589,779 from the federal Affordable Housing Fund, and $150,000 in CMHC Seed Funding, alongside land donated by the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
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PQ leader says referendum not immediate priority as he prepares to lead minority government
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-07 09:00:19.0
Tags: [Quebec, Governance, Affordability, Social Services, Trade]Following the Parti Québécois election victory where the party secured 59 seats, Premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced that a sovereignty referendum is not an immediate priority for his minority government. Instead, the government will focus on pressing issues including organizing a summit on homelessness, freezing salaries for National Assembly members and Crown corporation directors, creating a secretariat to review government spending and bureaucracy, and appointing a trade team to address trade tensions with the United States. St-Pierre Plamondon will require legislative collaboration with opposition parties, including the Liberals with 40 seats, the Conservative Party with 19 seats, and Québec solidaire, to pass policy initiatives.
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Islanders can apply for up to $1,200 in heating help at Access P.E.I. starting in November
Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-06 18:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Affordability, Social Services, Energy]The Government of Prince Edward Island is taking over administration of the P.E.I. Home Heating Program from the Salvation Army starting in November 2026, allocating more than $7 million to the initiative. Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,200 in assistance through Access P.E.I. locations or online, following a surge in furnace oil prices that reached $2.07 per litre. The program previously processed more than 5,000 applications annually, and Housing Minister Kent Dollar stated that in-house administration aims to reduce administrative costs and improve rural access.
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Minister Dinn Announces Funding for Kids Eat Smart Foundation
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-06 17:15:44.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Education, Social Services, Affordability]The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development led by Minister Paul Dinn, announced $1,393,700 (approximately $1.4 million) in provincial funding for the Kids Eat Smart Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador. The grant supports the Kids Eat Smart breakfast program, which operates 275 clubs across schools and community centres, serving 47,000 breakfast meals each school day and totaling 6.3 million meals annually at no cost to families.
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Narrowed rebate eligibility leaves some Nova Scotians worried about heating costs
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-01 21:16:24.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Affordability, Energy, Social Services, Finance]The Government of Nova Scotia has narrowed the eligibility criteria and lowered net income thresholds for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP), reducing individual caps from $55,000 to $30,000 and family caps from $70,000 to $45,000. Minister of Service Nova Scotia Jill Balser defended the changes, citing a $1.4 billion provincial deficit and a $33 million budget allocation for the program, which provides eligible households with up to $400. Advocacy groups, including the Ecology Action Centre, ACORN, and the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank, raised concerns over rising heating oil costs and high energy poverty rates, noting a 25 per cent increase in demand for emergency heating supports.
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Minister Pardy Commemorates National Seniors Day with Continued Support for SeniorsNL
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-01 12:15:43.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Seniors, Social Services, Transportation, Affordability]On National Seniors Day, Minister of Seniors Craig Pardy announced nearly $650,000 in combined annual funding for SeniorsNL and the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Transportation Program. SeniorsNL will receive $343,000 to provide older adults with access to information, advocacy, and education, while $300,000 is allocated to the Community Transportation Program to address isolation and transportation barriers. Applications for the 2026-27 Community Transportation Program are open to municipalities, Indigenous governing bodies, and provincially incorporated organizations until November 26, 2026. This builds on Budget 2026 measures, which included a 20 per cent increase to the Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors' Benefit supporting approximately 50,000 seniors.
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S-251 (45-1) - An Act to establish a national strategy to end energy poverty
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-01 00:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Affordability, Social Services, Governance]Senator Mary Coyle introduced Senate Public Bill S-251, entitled An Act to establish a national strategy to end energy poverty, in the Senate of Canada. The legislation reached its first reading on October 1, 2026, during the 1st session of the 45th Parliament. The bill aims to create a comprehensive federal framework and national strategy to address and eliminate energy poverty across Canada. Currently, the bill is positioned at the second reading stage in the Senate for future debate and committee review.
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Ottawa Commits Additional Funding for Federal Child Care Program in Ontario
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Education
Date: 2026-09-29 14:34:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, National, Education, Social Services, Affordability, Finance]Ontario Minister of Education Paul Calandra announced that the federal government has extended additional funding to the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program, maintaining current average child care fees at $19 a day with maximum caps at $22 per day until June 30, 2027. Between the 2021-22 and 2026-27 fiscal years, Ontario is investing approximately $34.5 billion in child care and early years programs, which includes $12.3 billion dedicated specifically to child care programs, fee subsidies, wage enhancements, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and the CARE tax credit. Both governments have committed to ongoing discussions regarding long-term program sustainability beyond June 2027 to ensure continued stability for families and the child care sector.
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Province and feds extending affordable child-care program in Ontario, but fees stay the same
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-29 13:51:37.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Education, Social Services, Affordability]The federal government and the Government of Ontario have agreed to a four-year extension of the national affordable child-care program, backed by a funding envelope of nearly $12 billion plus a share of an additional $5.4 billion. Under the agreement, Ontario has committed to maintaining parent fees at an average of $19 a day—capped at $22—until June 30, 2027, falling short of the national program's $10-a-day goal. The province has created nearly 60,000 of its targeted 86,000 affordable child-care spaces as waitlists continue to grow across the province.
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New Affordable Rental Housing for Families Coming to Pinehouse
Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-09-24 21:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Housing, Affordability, Social Services, Infrastructure]The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, alongside the Pinehouse Housing Corporation and the Northern Village of Pinehouse, are funding the construction of a new sixplex providing six two-bedroom affordable rental units in Pinehouse, Saskatchewan. The project represents a total investment exceeding $1.67 million, featuring $951,600 through the Rental Development Program under the National Housing Strategy - Saskatchewan Priorities Initiative, $526,633 from Reaching Home, $196,863 from the Pinehouse Housing Corporation, and $15,000 in land equity from the Northern Village of Pinehouse. Delivered in partnership with the for-profit Pinehouse Housing Corporation owned by the Northern Village of Pinehouse Lake, this energy-efficient development aims to alleviate northern housing pressures, reduce winter heating costs, and support low-income families and households.
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New Tiny Home Development Will Expand Housing Opportunities For Métis Citizens in Northern Saskatchewan
Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-09-23 22:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Housing, Affordability, Social Services, Indigenous, Infrastructure]The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, alongside the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S), are investing a total of $3.26 million to construct 12 new energy-efficient tiny homes in Buffalo Narrows, La Loche, and Cumberland House. The project includes $1.5 million in joint federal-provincial funding through the Rental Development Program and the National Housing Strategy - Saskatchewan Priorities Initiative, complemented by a $1.58 million contribution from MN-S. Led by Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, the development will provide affordable rental housing for single low-income Métis citizens and Elders, with construction slated for completion by spring 2027.
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Provincial Homeowner Support Programs Launching Next Week
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-09-22 13:30:29.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Housing, Affordability, Social Services, Seniors]The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is launching applications for two expanded and enhanced homeowner support programs backed by an annualized investment of $7.3 million introduced in Budget 2026. The Home Repair Program for low-income homeowners doubles the forgivable loan from $5,000 to $10,000 (and from $6,500 to $13,000 in Labrador), increases the lifetime maximum funding from $12,500 to $30,000, reduces reapplication wait times from seven to five years, and removes pre- and post-inspection requirements, operating under an income threshold of $42,500 ($65,000 in Labrador). Meanwhile, the Home Modification Program doubles its forgivable loan from $7,500 to $15,000, eliminates occupational therapist recommendations and pre- and post-inspections for minor accessibility modifications like handrails and grab bars, and operates under an income threshold of $51,500 ($65,000 in Labrador).
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'Right back where I started': Housing First tenants in Yellowknife prepare to lose their homes
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-17 18:55:44.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Social Services, Affordability]Twenty-six clients of the Yellowknife Women’s Society's Housing First program face potential homelessness after corporate landlords Northview Residential REIT and Balto Capital Inc. terminated their leases across multiple apartment buildings, including units on Gitzel Street in Yellowknife. The lease terminations stem from a building portfolio sale from Northview to Balto Capital Inc. at the end of July, setting an eviction deadline for October. The Yellowknife Women’s Society is actively searching for alternative housing units to accommodate the displaced clients as public officials from the City of Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories government express alarm over the loss of housing.
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Nunavut is paying foster parents more. Advocates say it still isn't enough
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-11 12:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Social Services, Indigenous, Affordability]Nunavut’s Department of Family Services has increased daily foster care rates by 45 per cent, raising payments from $58 to $84.10 per day in communities such as Iqaluit, Arviat, and Rankin Inlet, with corresponding percentage increases in other settlements. The rate adjustment, which is the first of its kind in six years, applies retroactively as of April 1, 2026, to address rising living costs and increased demands on the territory's 218 foster homes. However, child and youth advocate Jane Bates and former foster parents report that structural program deficiencies, administrative communication gaps, and severe payment delays persist within the department.
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New Brunswick launches subsidized school lunch program amid rollout delays
Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-10 22:08:08.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Education, Social Services, Affordability]The Government of New Brunswick has launched a provincewide subsidized school lunch program backed by $26 million in funding for the current school year. Meals are priced at $4 for students up to Grade 8 and $5 for high school students, with the province subsidizing the remaining costs and offering full subsidies for eligible families. Although the program is operating in approximately 80 per cent of schools, 56 school cafeterias are experiencing rollout delays due to workforce shortages of gas fitters, electricians, and plumbers needed to install equipment such as fridges and stoves. Premier Susan Holt stated that the remaining schools are expected to achieve full service within a couple of weeks, with contingency meals being provided in the interim.
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