Child Benefits in Canada: Politics Versus Policy

Problem Statement

Child benefits are social programs that can be powerful tools to combat poverty and inequality.  They not only help low-income families but also the middle class.  The federal and provincial/territorial governments over the years have achieved considerable progress in strengthening the architecture of child benefits in Canada.

Unfortunately, the current federal government took an about-face on child benefits when it came to power in 2006.  It imposed a series of programs intended to help not only low- and middle-income families — the traditional target of child benefits — but also affluent households that do not need help from government.

Policy Objective

The policy objective for child benefits in our social architecture is to build a single, streamlined and progressive support with a strong poverty reduction impact and improved income security for modest-  and middle-income families.

ISBN – 978-1-77259-002-9