Canada Child Benefit increases once again to keep up with the cost of living
Ontario: Every child deserves the best possible start in life. That is why the Government of Canada introduced the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) five years ago to help give families a fair chance at success. Since then, each year the CCB has provided almost $25 billion in tax-free support to about 3.5 million families. This support has helped lift nearly 435,000 children out of poverty, grown the middle class, and put more money in the pockets of 9 out of 10 Canadian families compared to the previous suite of child benefits.
Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, announced that the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit will once again be increased to keep up with the rising cost of living. For the 2021–2022 benefit year, the maximum annual benefit will be $6,833 per child under age 6 and $5,765 per child aged 6 through 17. That’s over $350 more per child than when the CCB was first 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 2022. 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.