Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Provincial Negotiations Spur Six-Month Wait For New Federal Child Benefit

The Canadian Press, 09 Dec, 2015 12:09 PM
    OTTAWA — The federal Liberals will take the next few months to negotiate with provinces over a new national child benefit after advocates raised concerns the government's plan could end up hurting those receiving provincial help.
     
    Advocates have worried that any increase in benefits from the federal government could have negative effects on those receiving social assistance through provinces or municipalities, such as child care or housing subsidies.
     
    Those subsidies are income tested, meaning the more a family earns, the less they receive in subsidies. The Liberals want to give more money to low-income earners through a new child benefit, but some provinces and cities may see the richer benefit as additional income and roll back subsidies to needy families.
     
    Such issues are part of the reason the new child benefit, which the Liberals made a key plank in their campaign platform to woo families, won't come into effect until July 1, said Families Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.
     
    "We need to do this in consultation with provinces. Many of the provinces base their own system on the basis of the federal benefits," Duclos said outside the House of Commons.
     
    "We want to ensure the provinces will be able to do their work appropriately and for that we need to be in touch with them and make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible."
     
    The new child benefit will replace the monthly universal child care benefit with an income-tested payment that will start at $6,400 a year for a child five and under, and $5,400 a year for children six to 17. Only those families earning less than $30,000 a year will receive the full amount; the government will reduce payments as incomes rise.
     
     
    Until July 1, the government will continue paying out the universal child care benefit, which is worth $160 per month for every child under six and $60 per month for every child six to 17.
     
    During the campaign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the new benefit would be fair because it wouldn't go to wealthy families — his own included.
     
    On Tuesday, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said the six-month wait for the promised Liberal benefit will mean the wealthiest families will continue receiving the universal child care benefit.
     
    "There's no reason he (Trudeau) couldn't have done it this week," Mulcair said. "If this was important to him, as he claims it is, why didn't he get it done this week?"
     
    He said the government should have some retroactive payment for low-income Canadians to compensate them for the money they missed out on during the first half of 2016 when the new child benefit was being worked out.
     
    Duclos said the details of the new benefit will be unveiled when the Liberals table their first budget.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Uber Raises Stakes As It Aggressively Expands Toronto Food Delivery Service

    Uber Raises Stakes As It Aggressively Expands Toronto Food Delivery Service
    TORONTO — Uber has chosen the streets of Toronto for its latest experiment in food delivery.

    Uber Raises Stakes As It Aggressively Expands Toronto Food Delivery Service

    Mike Duffy: Conservative Senator Advised Me To Make Expense Claims

    Mike Duffy: Conservative Senator Advised Me To Make Expense Claims
    OTTAWA — Sen. Mike Duffy says he was specifically advised by a senior Conservative colleague to file expense claims for his home near Ottawa.

    Mike Duffy: Conservative Senator Advised Me To Make Expense Claims

    Vietnamese 'Boat People' Unite To Sponsor Syrians: 'It's The Least We Can Do'

    Vietnamese 'Boat People' Unite To Sponsor Syrians: 'It's The Least We Can Do'
    TORONTO — There are many memories of his desperate escape from a chaotic Communist Vietnam nearly 40 years ago that haunt Kyanh Do.

    Vietnamese 'Boat People' Unite To Sponsor Syrians: 'It's The Least We Can Do'

    Peace, Quiet And The Occasional Flashmob: How Libraries And Patrons Are Evolving

    Peace, Quiet And The Occasional Flashmob: How Libraries And Patrons Are Evolving
    HALIFAX — Libraries can conjure up images of dim, musty spaces and stern librarians with index fingers pressed to their lips, ready to shush.

    Peace, Quiet And The Occasional Flashmob: How Libraries And Patrons Are Evolving

    Canadian Man Faces DUI-Related Charges Following 4-Vehicle Crash In Florida

    Canadian Man Faces DUI-Related Charges Following 4-Vehicle Crash In Florida
    DANIA BEACH, Fla. — A Canadian man has been arrested on six DUI-related charges following a four-car crash in Florida.

    Canadian Man Faces DUI-Related Charges Following 4-Vehicle Crash In Florida

    Majority Of Quebec Schools Closed As Teachers, Public Sector Workers Off The Job

    Majority Of Quebec Schools Closed As Teachers, Public Sector Workers Off The Job
    MONTREAL — More than 400,000 government workers are off the job today across Quebec, including teachers, health-care workers and civil servants.

    Majority Of Quebec Schools Closed As Teachers, Public Sector Workers Off The Job

    PrevNext