2006-07 (July)
BLAINE CALKINS MP REPORT
July 26, 2006
Child Care - Choice, Support and Spaces
The old saying, the cheque is in the mail, is ringing true this summer for Canadian families of preschool children. As part of his promise to Canadians during the 2006 federal election, Prime Minister Stephen Harper acted on the Conservative Party’s plan to provide Canadians with universal child care.
Some parents work full-time and need institutionalized care. Some families choose to have one parent stay at home. Many parents also rely on other family members to assist in caring for children.
Canada’s new Government believes that, when it comes to child care, parents are the experts so they should have choice in choosing the best options for their children. The role of the Government should be to help in providing choice by assisting in the cost of child care regardless of how it is provided.
The Universal Child Care Benefit is a new form of direct financial assistance to help Canadian families balance work and family life by supporting their child care choices. The Benefit will be paid to parents in monthly installments of $100 per month per child under the age of six. The first cheques are being mailed to parents now.
The second part of the plan involves a substantial and flexible incentive to support the creation of spaces that meet the real needs and complex realities of Canadian families. It will include those who live in cities, small towns or rural areas and those with hours of work that may not fit the nine-to-five model.
This initiative will take careful planning and consultations with provincial governments to ensure that it complements what is already in place. The Government of Canada will also work with business, community and non-profit organizations to better understand their needs and priorities. Plans are to launch the initiative in 2007.
Enrolment for the Universal Child Care Benefit is processed through the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) application. If a parent or guardian is already receiving the Canada Child Tax Benefit, they do not need to apply for the Universal Child Care Benefit.
Parents who are not currently receiving the Canada Child Tax Benefit can apply by submitting a completed Canada Child Tax Benefit application. Application forms are available from local Canada Revenue Agency offices, by contacting 1-800-959-2221 or by downloading the form from the Canada Revenue Agency Web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
If you wish more information on these or any federally related matters please contact my Constituency office at: #6, 4612 - 50th Street, Ponoka, T4J 1S7 tel: (403) 783-5530; toll free at 1-800-665-0865 or check my web site: www.blainecalkinsmp.ca