The benefit, which came into effect December 1st, is to be used on dental services is for 
children under 12 in families that earn less than $90,000 a year. Cape Breton-Canso MP Mike Kelloway says it will provide up to $1,300 over two years to get the dental care they need. Kelloway says this is the first step by the federal government in developing a Canada-wide dental plan to ensure everyone has access to dental care.
Other measures coming in this month as part of federal efforts to provide cost-of-living relief to low income Canadians includes a one-time rental supplement of $500 for low-income households. That becomes available on December 12th.
A permanent update to the Canada Labour Code that requires federally regulated industries to provide two weeks of paid sick leave to employees also takes effect this week.
