Last week, I distributed a short news release containing important information about the enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) available to Canadian families. Please note that the deadline for new applicants to apply in order to receive their payments by July 1st has been extended to May 15th. Eligible families who do not enroll before that date may still enroll to receive benefits after July.

We first introduced the UCCB in 2006. We call it “universal” for a reason, because it will be available to all Canadian families with children under the age of 18, regardless of income or the type of child care they choose. Today, the UCCB provides direct support to over 1.6 million families, with over two-million young children.

Currently the UCCB provides $100 per month for each child under the age of six. We’re proposing to increase it to $160 per month. That comes to almost $2,000 per year for each pre-schooler.

We’re proud to provide such an important direct benefit to Canadians. Parents are facing growing financial pressures. From the cost of groceries, to child care, to piano lessons, to hockey practice, expenses pile up quickly. That’s why we want to make sure that every eligible Canadian family is taking advantage of this financial support.

We’re also proposing to expand the reach of this benefit to include children ages 6 through 17. Families would receive $60 per month for each child in this age group, which amounts to $720 per year.

Once we receive parliamentary approval, the new benefit amounts will take effect retroactively to January 1, 2015. If already in the system, families that are eligible to receive these benefits will receive a retroactive payment in July 2015 for the difference between the old and the new benefit amounts.

This direct financial support allows parents greater freedom of choice, in everything: from their child’s care, to which extra-curricular activities their children may participate in.

It’s important to note that if your family is already receiving the UCCB monthly, you are already enrolled and will automatically receive this increase. However, over 200,000 families – some of those in Saskatchewan – are not enrolled. If your family is one of them, don’t miss out on this important enhancement to your family life. You may enroll by visiting: www.canada.ca/taxsavings. If you are unable to access the Internet, please contact my office at 306-782-3309 or 1-800-667-6606.

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