OTTAWA-The New Democrats are pressing Justin Trudeau's government to scale back a broad tax cut to free up money for a national program to ensure dental care for Canadians who can't afford it.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Monday tabled legislation to make good on the tax break that was promised by the Liberals in the election which they say will save individuals close to $300 a year when fully implemented in 2023.

"It's a very significant measure," Morneau told reporters.

But the New Democrats immediately countered with a proposal to limit the tax break to those earning $90,000 and less and direct the government funds to create a national dental program for uninsured Canadians.

The tax break will mean lost revenue for Ottawa, totalling $3 billion in 2020-21, rising to $6.2 billion by 2024-25 after the full impact has kicked in.

But limiting the benefit would mean less lost revenue, freeing up an estimated $1.6 billion that could be used a "down payment" for the dental program, the New Democrats said.

"This would have a dramatic and positive impact on the lives of 4.5 million Canadians," NDP MP Peter Julian said.

"We're hoping the government is being true to its word to being open to these kinds of suggestions," Julian said.

The NDP has been championing the idea of a national dental program, which it said would improve the health of millions of Canadians who currently forgo dental care because of the cost, often at the risk of incurring more serious health problems.

The government's proposal would raise the basic personal amount - the amount of income that is exempt from federal income tax - to $13,229, from $12,298 on Jan. 1. Further increases would take it to $15,000 by 2023.

The government also proposed to increase two related amounts, the spouse or common-law partner amount and the eligible dependant credit, to $15,000 by 2023.

The finance department says the change would mean lower taxes for almost 20 million Canadians and Morneau said it would mean 1.1 million more Canadians will pay no federal tax.

The benefits of the increase would be phased out for higher-income earners, starting at $150,473 and eliminated altogether for those making more than $214,368.

The Liberals unveiled the tax break during the fall election campaign and vowed that if elected, it would be the first act of their second term. However, the Liberals will require the support of at least one opposition party in the minority Parliament to make it a reality.

Asked about the NDP proposal, Morneau was noncommittal but touted the benefits of the Liberal tax break, which he declared as "really important."

But when NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh asked Justin Trudeau about the NDP idea, the prime minister showed little appetite to alter the Liberal tax plan, which he said will make an "appreciable difference in the lives of many people."

"This is the focus that we're taking. This is a commitment we made to Canadians. . We certainly hope to see support from all sides of the House on this measure," Trudeau said during question period Monday afternoon.

Julian declined to say if his party will vote against the tax legislation if the Liberals reject the NDP idea. "We'll see what the response is from the government," Julian said.

Bloc Qu�b�cois Leader Yves-Fran�ois Blanchet said he is sees no reason to oppose the tax change, calling it an "important commitment" by the Liberals. "I cannot imagine that anyone could be against tax cuts," Blanchet said.

Conservative Pierre Poilievre, the party's finance critic, criticized the long implementation of the tax break, noting it will be four years before taxpayers see its full benefit. "Most of the increase will be gobbled up by inflation in that time," he said in a statement.

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"To restart Canada's weak economy, we need bigger and faster tax cuts," he said.

Bruce Campion-Smith is an Ottawa-based reporter covering national politics. Follow him on Twitter: @yowflier

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