Newsletter for November 2009

National Child Day - Putting choice in the hands of families

The Government has taken concrete steps to support Canadian families in the choices they make to care for their children. Federal investments in early childhood development and child care have increased and are at the highest level in Canadian history.

The Government of Canada is providing parents with about $2.5 billion a year through the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB). All families, including low-income families, receive $1,200 per year for each child under the age of six. That’s direct support for 2 million children under 6 years of age and their families!

In total, the Government of Canada will provide $5.9 billion in 2009–2010 to support early learning and child care through transfers, direct spending, and tax measures for families.

These initiatives are part of over $19 billion in support that the federal government provides to families with children through programs such as Employment Insurance maternity and parental benefits, the Canada Pension Plan Child Rearing Drop-out Provision, the Child Care Expenses Deduction, and the Canada Child Tax Benefit (including the National Child Benefit Supplement). The Government’s substantive action in areas such as children’s benefits, the Working Income Tax Benefit, and benefits for seniors is playing a key role in helping to support low-income and vulnerable Canadians. It is estimated that the Universal Child Care Benefit will lift approximately 22,000 families with 57,000 children out of low income.

In Canada, the majority of children are healthy and developing well. We have taken concrete steps to benefit Canada’s children and to support Canadian families in the choices they make to care for their children. As we move forward, we will continue to provide families with real choices in deciding what is best for their children.

Once again, as November 20 rolls around, Canadians celebrate National Child Day.

I encourage each of you to visit the National Child Day Web site for information and suggestions on how to celebrate Canada’s children.

Yours sincerely,

The Hon. Diane Finley, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

National Child Day and the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Celebrated each year on November 20, National Child Day marks the United Nations’ adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. This year’s celebration is particularly special since it commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Convention.

The Convention spells out the basic human rights to which children everywhere under the age of 18 are entitled. By ratifying the Convention in 1991, Canada made a commitment to ensuring that all children are treated with dignity and respect. As such, they must be given the opportunity to express their views, be protected from harm, be provided with the basic necessities of life, and be given every opportunity to reach their full potential.

The Convention is based on four cross-cutting principles:

• the best interests of the child should be the first consideration for actions that affect a child;
• all children have the right to life, survival, and development;
• all children have the right to participate; and
• all rights belong to all children without discrimination or exception.

Some examples of rights are:

• the right to have a voice in matters that affect children;
• the right to education and care;
• the right to play and rest;
• the right to health; and
• the right to special protection.

The Convention also acknowledges the key role of parents and families in the lives of children and young people.

To learn more about National Child Day or ways to mark the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at home, at school, or in your community, please visit the National Child Day Web site.

Canada Education Saving Program

If you receive the National Child Benefit Supplement and your child was born after December 31, 2003 , your child may be eligible for a Canada Learning Bond of $500. Your child could also receive the Canada Education Savings Grant on top of money saved in their Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) account.

The Canada Learning Bond is designed to help you start saving early for your child’s education after high school. Your child could get $500 now and an extra $100 each year up to age 15. That’s up to $2,000 (plus interest) in bonds for your child’s education. And you don’t have to put any of your own money into the RESP to get this bond. The bond can be used to pay for full- or part-time studies in an apprenticeship program, a CEGEP, trade school, college, or university.

Furthermore, when you save in your child’s RESP, the Canada Education Savings Grant could add up to $200 on the first $500 you save annually, and up to $400 on the next $2,000.

For more information or to request a Canada Learning Bond and/or Canada Education Savings Grant brochure, call 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) or TTY: 1-800-926-9105 or visit the CanLearn Web site.

Q's and A's

Q - What is the Government doing to reduce child poverty in Canada?

A - The Government of Canada recognizes that child poverty has long-term negative consequences for society. This is why the Government is committed to working with provinces and territories to reduce these effects and why the National Child Benefit (NCB) exists. The NCB combines two key elements: monthly payments by the federal government to low-income families with children, and benefits and services designed and delivered by provinces and territories to meet the needs of families with children in each jurisdiction.

Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is providing $230 million in 2009-2010 for families with children by raising the income levels at which the NCB Supplement for low-income families and the base benefit under the Canada Child Tax Benefit are phased out.

The Government of Canada is working to protect those most in need: the unemployed, Canadians with disabilities, low-income Canadians, children, seniors, and Aboriginal Canadians. Canada has a wide range of initiatives in place to address poverty and is committed to continuing its support of the most vulnerable.

The federal government also works directly with partners, including provinces and territories, civil society, Aboriginal communities and organizations, and international organizations. Knowledge gained from lessons learned, best practices, and research guide efforts aimed at ensuring Canadian children have the best start in life, no matter where they live.

For more information, visit the Raising a Family page on the Service Canada Web site.