Archived - Harper Government Helps Make Adoption More Affordable

July 28, 2014 – Calgary, Alberta – Department of Finance

Minister of State (Finance) Kevin Sorenson today shared his family's personal experience with adoption at an event in Calgary and highlighted the Harper Government's continuing support for families through expanded adoption-related tax relief.

Economic Action Plan 2014 increased the maximum amount of the Adoption Expense Tax Credit to $15,000 from $11,774 to provide further tax relief in recognition of the costs unique to adopting a child. This follows the Government's enhancement of the credit in Economic Action Plan 2013, which changed the eligibility period to allow additional adoption-related expenses to be eligible for tax relief.

These actions build on the Harper Government's established record of keeping taxes low for Canadians and their families.

• According to the Adoption Council of Canada, there are 30,000 children in Canada waiting to be adopted.
• Twenty-one per cent of Canadians are considering or have considered adopting a child. (Source: Canadian Foster Care Adoption Attitudes Survey 2013, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Canada).
• Among those Canadians who have considered adopting a child, 75 per cent are concerned about being able to pay for the adoption. (Source: as above).
• According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Canadians adopted more than 1,000 children from abroad in 2013.

• Frequently Asked Questions: Increasing the Adoption Expense Tax Credit

• Economic Action Plan 2014
• Harper Government Supports Canadian Families With Expanded Adoption Expense Tax Credit

Meagan Murdoch
Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Finance)
613-996-7861

Jack Aubry
Media Relations
Department of Finance
613-996-8080