Federal, Provincial & Territorial Ministers Responsible For Social Services Release Paper

Federal, provincial and territorial governments, with the exception of Quebec which wishes to assume control of income support for the children of Quebec, are working together to develop a National Child Benefit (NCB). To be implemented by July 1998, the NCB is an important measure to improve supports to low-income families with children. The NCB will have two main elements: increased federal benefits for families with net incomes below $26,000 through the Canada Child Tax Benefit, as well as provincial and territorial reinvestments in services and benefits for children in low -income families.

The paper being released today outlines the important first steps being taken under the NCB to reduce the extent and depth of child poverty in Canada, and help parents with low incomes stay in the labour market. It defines the roles of federal, provincial and territorial governments in the development and administration of the National Child Benefit system, and re-emphasizes their commitment to further progress in building a better future for our children and for our society.

A brochure with the same title that highlights features of the NCB has also been released for public information.