On Parliament Hill

Our Government remains focused on helping hard-working Canadian families prosper.

Considering the household expenses that every family has to deal with, our government knows that every little bit counts, especially when you have children. From child care to school supplies, the costs can add up quickly, as I’m sure you know. Now that our government has balanced its budget, we are helping your family balance yours.

Payments Started July 20

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that our Government would increase the UCCB and expand it to include older children back in October, but this past Monday was the day that families had been waiting for.

Parents had a reason to smile when they checked their bank accounts or mailboxes on Monday when the increased UCCB payments starting arriving in their mailboxes and bank accounts, representing more than $3 billion being sent to about 3.8 million families. This means that parents are receiving payments of $520 for each child under the age of 6, and $420 for each child ages six through 17. This payment includes the retroactive payments for January to June.

This is the largest direct payment to families in a single day in history and this action means so much to families working hard to make ends meet. Over the course of a year, the increased child care benefit will provide parents with almost $2000 for every child under six. And because we all know that the costs of caring for kids don’t end when they turn 6 years old, parents will also receive $720 every year for each child ages six through 17.

In addition to the boosted UCCB, families recently received nearly $2 billion in tax refunds this spring through the Family Tax Cut.

The Family Tax Cut allows couples with children under 18 to split their income and reduce their tax burden by as much as $2,000. Payments to families will also continue under the Child Tax Benefit, which remains unchanged.

We have also increased the maximum dollar limits that can be claimed under the Child Care Expense Deduction by $1,000.

And finally, we have doubled the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit and made it refundable to further help families choosing to put their children in fitness activities.

Through these initiatives you keep more of your money, mom and dad. And the best part – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is delivering all of this within a balanced budget and without raising taxes. In fact, under his leadership, our Government is doing the exact opposite of raising taxes – we are finding new ways of cutting them all the time.

Receiving the Increased UCCB

And so, while the majority of families with children woke up this week to a little extra cash in their pockets, approximately 200,000 families may miss out – leaving potentially millions of dollars in unclaimed benefits. Today, I urge those families to apply for the UCCB because this money belongs to them. Canadians who still have children under 18 in their care -but are not receiving the UCCB and have never applied for the Canada Child Tax Benefit – should go to:  canada.ca/taxsavings

Positive Impact

I also want to emphasize the positive reach of this increased benefit beyond the immediate recipients.

Not only will the UCCB help families, it also promises to provide a timely boost the economy, with parents having more money to buy necessities for their children. Just last week, Stephen Poloz, Governor of the Bank of Canada, said that this historic payment will provide a “noticeable bump” to the economy.

And while under Prime Minister Harper’s proven leadership the Canadian economy remains strong, we must remember that the global recovery remains extremely fragile. Healthy retail sales contribute to the Canadian economy, benefitting other related industries such as transportation, property management, construction trades, and a variety of professional services.

This brings us full circle in that the UCCB will allow families to support the economy.

In essence, what’s good for families is good for local business, good for communities and good for the Canadian economy.

Our Government will continue to remain focused on helping hard-working Canadian families prosper.