ABBOTSFORD ISSUES

Strong families ensure a bright future for Canada. The most important investment we can make as a country is to help families raise their children. Our federal government understands that no two Canadian families are exactly alike. Each has its own circumstances and needs. Parents must be able to choose the child care that is best for them.  We will continue to help Canadian parents, as they balance work and family life, by supporting their child care choices through direct financial support.

As of July of 2006, Canadian parents began receiving their first Universal Child Care Benefit payments of $100 per month for each child under the age of six years.  We believe that parents know what is best for their own children, and through this helping hand, parents have more resources to provide the most suitable support. Parents can make the choice to use this money for daycare, a pre-school program, learning materials for stay-at-home parents, babysitters or other child rearing expenses.

Parents are given many responsibilities, juggling child care, work and support for elderly parents. To help Canadian families balance these priorities, we have provided support to the provinces for the creation of new child care spaces across Canada. This funding is helping provinces and territories meet the needs of families within their respective jurisdictions.

In collaboration with the provinces and territories, employers and community non-profit organizations, we have provided incentives to create 125,000 flexible child care spaces over five years, beginning in 2007. A 25% investment tax credit is available to businesses that create new child care spaces in the workplace, to a maximum of $10,000 per space created. This important credit allows employers to respond to both the needs of the business and needs of their employees.

Our Conservative government recognizes the importance of recreational activity for children growing up. Fitness and sport is fundamental to healthy childhood development. It is for this reason that the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit was introduced to promote fitness among children. For each child under the age of 16 enrolled in physical activity programs, parents can claim up to $500 in eligible fees against taxable income. This has provided tax relief for close to 1.4 million individuals each year who are enrolled in sports such as hockey, soccer, basketball, gymnastics and baseball.

Building upon the success of the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, on June 2, 2011, Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty announced in our 2011 Budget the introduction of the Children’s Arts Tax Credit. This benefit will take effect in 2014, once the federal budget is balanced.  Millions of Canadians will be able to enroll their children in artistic, cultural, recreational and developmental activities each year. These activities positively contribute to a child’s development and help create Canada’s next great artists. The credit enables parents to claim up to $500 of qualifying expenses per child under the age of 16. Activities eligible for this credit include art, languages, chess, music, painting, and tutoring.

To Canadians, family is of the utmost importance. Canadians make incredible sacrifices to care for a loved one – be it their child, mother, father, husband, wife or other family member struggling with an infirmity – often while balancing other important obligations in their lives. Our Conservative government recognizes the invaluable work these people do and are taking action to lighten their load. Our 2011 Budget introduced new tax support for caregivers through the Family Caregiver Tax Credit and by better recognizing medical expenses incurred by caregivers.

Canadians spend millions each year on medical expenses for loved ones. Our Conservative government recognizes that individuals faced with these costs have a reduced ability to pay taxes. Our government is providing a Medical Expense Tax Credit to better respond to the needs of caregivers and ensure that medical and disability-related expenses are fully recognized by the tax system. Effective as of the 2011 tax year, our government is removing the $10,000 limit on the amount of eligible expenses a taxpayer can claim.

To help Canadian families, we are keeping taxes low and putting more money in their pockets. Thanks to the numerous measures our Government has taken, including cutting the GST by two percentage points, the federal tax burden on Canadians is the lowest in 50 years.  In fact, the average family of four now pays almost $3,100 less in taxes than in 2006. Canadian families and seniors can count on our Conservative government to be there for them and help them thrive.