Employment minister touts child care benefit in Halifax

Almost three billion dollars gets mailed out today to families who signed up for it.

A $3-billion payout begins today that will see parents receive $160 per month for each child under six, and a new benefit of $60 per month for kids aged six to 17.

Poilievre said Monday the increased benefit payment, retroactive to January 1, is a result of the Harper government’s balanced budget.

Speaking in Halifax, he also took aim at the Opposition’s child-care plans.

With the retroactive funding included, payments of $520 for each child under six plus $420 for each child aged six through 17 will be delivered.

A news release from the Liberal party says the payments are unfair to the middle class and benefit the people who need it the least.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau told reporters Monday that under a Liberal government, the child care benefit will be a larger, tax-free payment only available for families that make less than $200,000 a year.

The UCCB is a taxable benefit “designed to help Canadian families, as they try to balance work and family life, by supporting their child care choices through direct financial support”, according to the Government of Canada’s website.