Minister of State Candice Bergen highlights federal support for families with children

NEWMARKET, ON, April 13, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development, accompanied by Lois Brown, Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora, highlighted today at the Country Garden Montessori Academy how the Government of Canada has introduced legislation to enhance the Universal Child Care Benefit and fulfill the Government's commitment to put money back in the pockets of hard-working Canadian families.

Under the proposed enhancements to the Universal Child Care Benefit, families would receive almost $2,000 per year for each child under 6 and $720 per year for each child aged 6 through 17. The new benefit amounts would be retroactive to January 1, 2015 and reflected in monthly payments to recipients in July 2015.

Additional family measures were also highlighted, including:

• The Family Tax Cut: a non-refundable credit of up to $2,000 for couples with children under the age of 18, effective as of the 2014 tax year.
• Doubling the Children's Fitness Tax Credit: a tax credit that may be claimed by families whose children participated in an eligible program of physical activity. As of the 2014 taxation year, families may be able to claim up to $1,000 per child in eligible expenses, and the credit will be made refundable as of the 2015 taxation year, which will increase benefits to low-income families.
• The Child Care Expenses Deduction: the maximum dollar limits that can be claimed will increase by $1,000 starting in the 2015 tax year—from $7,000 to $8,000 for children under 7; from $4,000 to $5,000 for children aged 7 through 16; and from $10,000 to $11,000 for children who are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.

Minister Bergen used this opportunity to encourage eligible organizations to apply for projects under the Enabling Accessibility Fund as there is currently a Call for Proposals for projects that will help improve accessibility in community facilities across Canada. The deadline for submissions is April 27, 2015. Proposals can involve a wide variety of projects, however priority will be given to projects that enhance access for children with disabilities (e.g. outdoor playgrounds), Veterans with disabilities or seniors with disabilities.

Application information on how to apply for EAF funding is available on Employment and Social Development Canada's website at http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/disability/eaf/community.shtml.

Quick Facts Family Tax Cut and Benefits Plan                  

• All families with children will benefit from the new measures. Combined with tax relief introduced by the Government since 2006, a typical family of four can receive up to $6,600 in tax relief and enhanced benefits in 2015.
• Low- and middle-income families will receive two-thirds of the overall benefits provided.
• The Family Tax Cut will eliminate or significantly reduce the difference in the federal tax payable by a one-earner couple relative to a two-earner couple with a similar family income.

Quick Facts Enabling Accessibility Funds

• Since the creation of the EAF in 2007, the Government of Canada has funded over 1,800 projects helping thousands of Canadians gain better access to their communities' facilities, programs and services.
• Under this call for proposals, organizations can receive a grant of up to $50,000.
• Examples of eligible projects could include: 
  • building accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities;
  • widening hallways and doorways, installing elevators and automated power doors;
  • improving lighting, acoustics or contrast;
  • installing accessible washrooms and service counters;
  • upgrading facilities that offer programs for adults and/or children with autism and other cognitive/intellectual impairments;
  • installing assistive technology, installing or updating information technology.

Quotes

"Our Government remains committed to supporting Canadians and their families. We know parents are best positioned to decide what kind of child care is best for their children depending on their individual situation. We are helping moms and dads by making whatever kind of child care they choose more affordable.

Additionally, I encourage organizations to take this opportunity to submit their Enabling Accessibility Fund proposals for projects to increase accessibility, in particular those for children, such as playgrounds and recreational facilities."
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development

"Today's announcement reiterates our Government's focus on helping hard-working Canadian families, including those in Newmarket-Aurora, make ends meet, by making important priorities like child care and after-school sports more affordable. Our Government has ensured that every family with children will have more money in their pockets, to spend on their priorities as a family."
-       Lois Brown, Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora

Associated Link

www.canada.ca/taxsavings
Backgrounder on new measures: Helping Families Prosper
Funding: Enabling Accessibility in Communities

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada