The federal government has announced an increase to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), with higher payments taking effect this month to help families manage the rising cost of raising children.
Speaking in Toronto, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism Rechie Valdez highlighted the increase on behalf of Secretary of State for Children and Youth Anna Gainey. She was joined by Members of Parliament Chi Nguyen and Vince Gasparro.
Eligible families can now receive up to $8,157 per child under age six and up to $6,883 per child aged six to 17. The increase represents up to $160 more per child under six and up to $135 more per child aged six to 17 compared with last year.
The government said the additional tax-free support is intended to help families cover everyday expenses such as groceries, clothing, child care and school supplies.
In Ontario, the Canada Child Benefit provides more than $11 billion annually to approximately 1.4 million families. Nationally, the program supports about 3.6 million families, delivering roughly $30 billion in tax-free benefits each year.
Federal officials said the Canada Child Benefit has helped reduce child poverty since its introduction and remains a key part of the government’s affordability measures for Canadian families.
