The National Post reports in its Thursday edition that the federal government has awarded a contract worth up to $15-million to lay the groundwork for a national dental insurance plan. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post says that the new plan, which was a key demand from the NDP as part of the its confidence agreement with the minority Liberals, will replace the interim dental benefit for children rolled out last year. Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Health Minister Mark Holland announced Wednesday the first contract for the new program was awarded to Sun Life to cover setup costs while the final contract for the plan itself is negotiated. Initial costs include recruitment, technology and business planning. In 2022 the Liberals delivered on a temporary dental benefit worth up to $650 for each child under 12, depending on family income. Last spring the government said 300,000 children had already received the benefit to help cover dental fees. The NDP has pushed for dental care coverage for years and made it a deal breaker in negotiations with the Liberals in exchange for New Democrat support on key votes in the minority Parliament. The new insurance program is expected to launch later this year.