New Canada Child Benefit Provides Increased Support for Millions of Families

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 31, 2016) - Employment and Social Development Canada

Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville today highlighted the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) - a new government program that will put more money in the pockets of middle class families to save, invest, and grow the Canadian economy.

The Government of Canada's top priority is to build an economy that works for middle class Canadians. Today, too many middle class families struggle with the cost of raising their kids, and too many children continue to live in poverty.

Canadian families deserve better. The Canada Child Benefit will be:

• simpler - families will receive a single payment every month;
• tax-free - families will not have to pay back amounts received when they file their tax returns;
• better-targeted to those who need it most - low- and middle-income families will receive more benefits, and those with the highest incomes (generally over $150,000) will receive lower benefits than under the current system; and
• much more generous - families that benefit will see an average increase in child benefits of almost $2,300 in the 2016-17 benefit year.

The Canada Child Benefit will provide a maximum annual benefit of up to $6,400 per child under the age of 6 and up to $5,400, per child, aged 6 through 17. Families with less than $30,000 in net income will receive the maximum benefit.

Nine out of ten families will receive more in child benefits than under the current system and end up with more money in their pockets.

To recognize the additional costs of caring for a child with a severe disability, Budget 2016 also proposes to continue to provide the Child Disability Benefit, an additional amount of up to $2,730 per child eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.

The new Canada Child Benefit will be paid monthly to eligible families, beginning in July 2016. It replaces the Canada Child Tax Benefit, including the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Universal Child Care Benefit.

The CCB represents a major step forward towards the goal of ensuring that all children have a fair shot at success.

Quotes

"With more money in their pockets, Vancouver's middle class families will be able to save more, enhancing their own financial security. They will have greater opportunity to invest in their own future and that of their children. They will have more money to spend, boosting economic activity in the short term, and putting Canada on a firmer growth path over the long term.

- The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville

"Today, too many middle-class families struggle with the costs of raising their children, and too many children continue to live in poverty. With the introduction of a much better-targeted Canada Child Benefit, about 300,000 fewer children will be living in poverty. This new benefit represents the most significant social policy innovation in a generation.

- The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

• About 300,000 fewer children will be living in poverty in 2016-17 compared with 2014-15.
• Families with less than $30,000 in net income will receive the maximum benefit.
• Families benefitting will see an average increase in child benefits of almost $2,300 in the 2016-17 (or upcoming) benefit year.

Associated Links

Budget 2016

Canada Child Benefit Calculator

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