Canada Announces Exciting Supplements for Child Care For Families in Prince Edward Island

Last week, the Trudeau government announced an increase to the Canada Benefit Relief (CCB) as speculations arose of the federal parties preparing for a national election later this year. 

By Maryam Razzaq

While children’s expenses can be a source of stress for many parents, the Canadian Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) provides relief to Canadian families across the nation with children under 18. Federal, provincial and territorial governments work together to issue the National Child Benefits (NCB) on a monthly basis to meet the growing financial needs of families raising children and to further, help alleviate child poverty. 

The National Child Benefits Supplement (NCBS), is a nationwide joint effort between all levels of government in Canada: federal, provincial, First Nations and territorial governments. The NCBS purpose is to improve the living conditions of low-income families by providing financial supplement for each child in the home. 

It was announced that families this year will receive a maximum of $6,833 per child under the age of six, and $5,765 per child under the age of 18. But, the total value of the payments only reflect a 1% increase when compared to the previous year, which amounts to roughly a $5 increase per month, per child. 

In May, the Trudeau government announced that families with children below the age of six would be receiving a CCB supplement of up to $1,200 in 2021. Those entitled for the CCB must have a net income of $120,000 or less. The $1,200 supplement will be paid in four payment increments per child and is meant to soften the financial impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on families with children. It is estimated that 1.6 million Canadian household will be applicable with a total of 2.1 million children under six.

The first installment of the supplement which included two payments was issued on May 28 and the final two payments will be released on July 30 and October 29, 2021. Since the CCB introduction in 2016, it has said to have help 435,000 children out of poverty.

Many families across Canada lack access to affordability, and high-quality childcare. As such, the Government of Canada released a plan to provide parents in Canada with roughly $10 a day to regulate childcare for children under six by 2025-2016. To work towards this goal, this past Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prince Edward Island (PEI) Premier, Dennis King announced an agreement that will support roughly $10 a day for childcare and early learning in the province in three years. 

“All families should have access to quality, affordable childcare. That is why, from coast to coast to coast, we are laying the foundation for Canada’s first-ever Canada-wide early learning and childcare system. Today’s agreement with Prince Edward Island is an important step forward to making $10 a day childcare a reality, and delivering much-needed support to families and communities as we build back better from the pandemic,” said Prime Minister Trudeau.

This agreement includes creating 452 regulated childcare and early learning spaces with a federal funding of $121.3 million over the next five years. This further includes a one-time investment of $3.6 million in 2021-2022 to support the early childhood workforce.

King, the Premier of PEI announced the news as an exciting milestone.

“As a province we are committed to providing affordable, accessible, high-quality early learning and childcare opportunities for all Island families. Islanders can expect us to be bold and ambitious in meeting and exceeding the federal targets by achieving an average of $10 a day childcare by the end of 2024,” said King, the Premier of PEI.

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