Nearly 3.7 million families across Canada, including 12,700 families in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Lacolle, Saint-Alexandre and six other municipalities, now receive the bigger Canada Child Benefit Français
Canada Child Benefit increased two years ahead of schedule
SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, QC, April 16, 2019 /CNW/ - Helping hard-working, middle-class families provide the best start in life for their children is a top priority for the Government of Canada. That is why the Government launched the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) in 2016 to help families with the high cost of raising children. The CCB—which is targeted to middle-class families and those working hard to join the middle class—is simpler, tax‑free and more generous than previous child benefit programs.
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, was in Saint‑Jean‑sur-Richelieu today to highlight that the CCB has been increased two years ahead of schedule to keep up with the cost of living. Indexed cheques are already out, giving nearly 12,700 families in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Lacolle, Saint-Alexandre and six other municipalities even more money each month to help them provide for their children.
Increasing the CCB sooner will ensure that it continues to play a vital role in supporting families. This means that for the 2018–19 benefit year, the CCB will now have a maximum annual benefit of $6,496 per child under age 6 and $5,481 per child aged 6 through 17 years. On average, families benefiting from the CCB received $4,600 more over the last two years compared with 2015–16.
The Canada Child Benefit has had a positive impact on families' incomes, playing a key role in lifting 278,000 children out of poverty between 2015 and 2017. Thanks to the CCB, 9 out of 10 Canadian families have more money to help pay for things like healthy food, sports programs and music lessons.
Quotes
"Increasing the Canada Child Benefit means more money for families here in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and across the country. Our government is committed to ensuring that this tax-free benefit continues to improve the well‑being of all Canadians and help those working hard to join the middle class."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec
"Our government's strengthening of the Canada Child Benefit will continue to help those who need it most, and we will continue to make it easier for Canadians to access the benefits to which they are entitled."
– The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine
"I am proud that the Canada Child Benefit helps local St-Jean parents with the costs of raising children, allowing them the opportunity to give their children a better start in life."
– The Honourable Jean Rioux, Member of Parliament for Saint-Jean
Quick Facts
- Across Canada, CCB payments worth $23.7 billion benefit nearly 3.7 million Canadian families.
- Over 870,000 families in Quebec received nearly $5.5 billion from the CCB in the 2017–18 benefit year.
- The CCB has played a key role in reducing child poverty, lifting 278,000 children out of poverty between 2015 and 2017. The CCB will now have a maximum annual benefit of $6,496 per child under age 6 and $5,481 per child aged 6 through 17 years.
- Examples:
- For a single parent earning $35,000 with two children, the accelerated indexation of the CCB will contribute nearly $600 towards the increasing costs of raising their children for the 2019–20 benefit year.
- A single working parent who has two children (one child under 6 and one child aged 6–17) and who earns $35,000 a year received almost $12,000 in benefits for the 2017–18 benefit year, which is about $3,000 more than they would have received under the previous system of child benefits.
- The CCB has been recognized by the International Monetary Fund, the Bank of Canada and other experts as a key contributor to helping strengthen Canada's middle class.
Associated Links
Canada Child Benefit
Canada Child Benefit Overview
Canada Child Benefit Calculator
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For media enquiries, please contact: Valérie Glazer, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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