Government is moving ahead: Universal Child Care Benefit cheques to be delivered in July

OTTAWA — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, is pleased to announce that the new Universal Child Care Plan is now a reality. The Budget Implementation Act, which includes the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), received Royal Assent on June 23, 2006, allowing the government to move ahead with this important new benefit.

“We are committed to providing parents with the resources to help them balance work and family, and letting them choose what's best for their children,” said Minister Finley. “Canada's new government is delivering on its commitment; Canadian families will start receiving the new Universal Child Care Benefit by the end of July.”

The Government of Canada recognizes that families are the building blocks of a society and that child care is a priority for Canadian families. Budget 2006 set out the two main elements of Canada's Universal Child Care Plan: the Universal Child Care Benefit and, beginning in 2007, the Child Care Spaces Initiative to support the creation of up to 25,000 new spaces each year.

The UCCB takes effect on July 1, 2006 and it will provide all families with $100 per month for each child under six, taxable in the hands of the spouse with the lower income. The benefit will put choice for child care where it belongs—in the hands of parents—and allow them to choose the kind of care that best suits their family's needs.

Approximately 90 percent of families with young children—those already registered for the Canada Child Tax Benefit—will receive the UCCB automatically and don't need to apply. The remaining 10 percent of families who are not currently registered for the Canada Child Tax Benefit do need to apply for the UCCB, and can do so by submitting a completed Child Tax Benefit application. Applications are available on the Canada Revenue Agency Web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca, by calling 1-800-959-2221, or by contacting their local Canada Revenue Agency office and Service Canada Centre. The Universal Child Care Benefit will be available retroactively to July 2006 for those families who need to apply.

The Government of Canada also continues to provide support for families through the Canada Child Tax Benefit, the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Child Care Expense Deduction.

For additional information on Canada's new Universal Child Care Plan, please visit:
www.universalchildcare.ca