Statement by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development on the International Day of the Girl

GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - All Canadians deserve a real and fair chance to succeed. On this International Day of the Girl, as Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, I would like to reiterate how proud I am to be part of a government that is taking concrete steps to foster gender equity and strengthen the place of women and girls in our society. When all Canadians are able to reach their full potential, the country benefits.

The Government of Canada recently made several large investments to give our children the best possible start in life. A year ago, our government launched the Canada Child Benefit to help parents with the costs of raising their children. The Canada Child Benefit is tax-free, more generous and better targeted to help those who need it most than the previous child benefit programs. Since July 2016, the Benefit has helped more than 6.5 million children and will help us achieve the lowest rate of child poverty in Canadian history.

Childhood is the foundation of everything. We know that young children who benefit from quality learning and child care services do better in school and in life. In addition to being beneficial for young children, the Government's historic investments in learning and child care services will make these services accessible and give more parents—especially mothers—a chance to work or train for their next job, or even go back to school.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to celebrate the International Day of the Girl with me by participating in the Government of Canada's #ClaimYourPlace campaign and tell us about the amazing girls who are making a difference around you. I want to wish all Canadians, especially girls, a happy International Day of the Girl. 

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For media enquiries, please contact: Émilie Gauduchon-Campbell, Attachée de presse, Cabinet de l'honorable Jean-Yves Duclos, C.P., député, Ministre de la Famille, des Enfants et du Développement social, 819-654-5546; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]