Statement by the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

GATINEAU, QUEBEC, Nov. 19, 2015 As Canada's Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, I am pleased to mark National Child Day. Supporting families and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life is a priority of this government.

Canadian families need support and the government is working to implement a new plan that is simple, equitable, and makes a positive difference in their lives.  We will help families with the high cost of raising their children by introducing the Canada Child Benefit, and because the Benefit will be tax-free and based on income, it will provide more support to those who need help the most.

We will also introduce more flexible parental benefits that will make it possible for parents to take longer leave and spend more time with their children in those critical early months.

We will also work with provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples to develop a new National Early Learning and Child Care Framework to deliver affordable, high-quality, flexible, and inclusive child care for Canadian families.

Additionally, we will be making significant investments in social infrastructure — things like affordable housing and accessible child care— that will help all Canadians, especially children, develop to their full potential.

These are just some of the investments we are planning for our children, and all of us, to grow our economy, strengthen our middle class, and help those working hard to join it.

I invite and encourage Canadians to take time to acknowledge National Child Day.

Associated Links

Public Health Agency of Canada              
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncd-jne/index-eng.php

United Nations
http://www.un.org/en/events/childrenday/

Follow us on Twitter

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]