Child care funds in focus as Poilievre and Trudeau hit the Maritimes

Many Canadians are about to receive the largest one-time benefit payment in federal history.

Almost $3 billion will be mailed out or deposited in bank accounts across Canada as part of the Harper Government’s boosted Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB).

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

“The reason we can give bigger cheques is that we’re doing less for the families who don’t need it”, Trudeau told reporters.

Both NDP and Liberal leaders are out ont he unofficial campaign trail, promoting their plans, saying they will be of greater benefit to struggling and middle-class families. “So we’re focused on helping the middle class and those working hard to join the middle class”.

Until now, parents were only given $100 per month for each child under six years old. And the benefit will be expanded to include children aged 6-17, providing parents with $60 per child per month for that age range.

Under the new payment schedule, families with children aged five and under will now receive monthly cheques of $160 per child, an increase of $60 per month.