Every child deserves the best possible start in life. That is why the Canadian government introduced the Canadian Child Benefit (CCB) five years before her, giving her family a fair chance to thrive. Since then, CCB has provided approximately $25 billion in tax-exempt assistance to approximately 3.5 million households each year. This assistance lifted nearly 435,000 children out of poverty, expanded the middle class, and helped 9 of her 10 Canadian families get more money than they had before. .
Today, Minister of Family, Children and Social Development His Excellency Ahmed Hussen announced that Canada’s annual child benefit cap will be raised again to meet the rising cost of living. The maximum annual benefit for the 2021-2026 benefit year is $6,833 per child under the age of 6 and $5,765 per child between the ages of 6 and 17. That’s over $350 more per child than when CCB was introduced.
Additionally, in 2021, in recognition that many families are struggling with a wide range of expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic, families entitled to the CCB are receiving additional temporary support of up to $1,200 for each child under the age of 6 through the CCB.
Minister Hussen also highlighted Budget 2021’s historic investment of up to $30 billion over five years and, combined with previous investments, $9.2 billion per year of ongoing funding to build a high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care system across Canada – because parents should not have to choose between working and taking care of their children. This investment will allow for an average fee of $10 a day by 2025–2026 for all regulated child care spaces, starting with a 50% reduction in average fees for regulated early learning and child care spaces by the end of 2026. These investments will create new opportunities for Canadian families and will enable parents, particularly mothers, to access jobs.
One of the Government of Canada’s top priorities is supporting families and children as we weather the COVID‑19 pandemic and build back better.