July 20, 2015 - Edmonton, Alberta - Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Spruce Grove, and the Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Multiculturalism) and Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Sherwood Park, celebrated the first installment of the Harper Government’s boosted Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) today. The newly increased child care benefit pays almost $2000 every year for each child under 6 and $720 for each child aged 6 through 17. With a retroactive payment from January 1, 2015, the Harper Government transferred almost $3 billion to 3.8 million families today—the largest single-day direct payment to families in history.
Starting today, payments of $520 for each child under 6, and $420 for each child aged 6 through 17 will be delivered to families across Canada. That means a family with two kids should receive as much as $1,000 today. Parents can spend this money on anything they choose, including child care services, back-to-school supplies, sports activities and much more, boosting the economy and creating jobs across Canada.
About 3.8 million families will benefit from the boosted UCCB—double the number of families that previously qualified. While the majority of families in Canada are waking up to this welcomed boost to their bank accounts, an estimated 200,000 families may have missed out because they did not apply. Families that are not currently receiving the UCCB, that have never received the UCCB, or that have never applied for the Canada Child Tax Benefit and have children under 18 in their care are encouraged to go to www.canada.ca/taxsavings to find out how to apply.
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.
“The Government of Canada has balanced the budget, and they would like to help you with yours. Starting today, parents with children under 18 should have received the increased UCCB payment today. Please be sure to check if you have received your payment.”
– The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Spruce Grove
“Thanks to the Harper Government, moms and dads in Edmonton will have more money to spend on their family priorities. Starting today, parents should check their mailboxes and bank accounts to make sure they received Prime Minister Harper’s boosted child care benefit.”
– The Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Multiculturalism) and Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Sherwood Park
Aaron Bell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Employment and Social Development
819-994-2482
aaron.bell@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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