Liberals’ child benefit lifting children out of poverty, StatCan says

Authored by globalnews.ca and submitted by stairapprentice

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Feb. 2019.

OTTAWA — The national statistics office says fewer children are living in poverty and it is connecting the drop to the Liberal government’s signature child benefit.

The Liberals introduced the income-tested Canada Child Benefit midway through 2016, replacing a previous system of tax credits and the Conservatives’ universal child care benefit.

READ MORE: Canada child benefit — how your family is affected by the changes

New Statistics Canada figures show 278,000 fewer children living below the poverty line in 2017 — the first full year of the benefit — compared to 2015 when the Liberals took office.

Statistics Canada says an increase in the value of child benefits, coupled with gains in market income, put more money into the pockets of families in 2017.

WATCH: Low-income families ‘don’t benefit’ from tax breaks, Trudeau says

Liberal MPs are pointing to the numbers today as a sign that the benefit has done its job as a key tool to reduce child poverty rates.

The statistics office says overall, 9.5 per cent of the population lived below the poverty line in 2017, down from 10.6 per cent in 2016.

LISTEN: University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe joins Rob Breakenridge to discuss the change in child poverty in Alberta and Canada

ImAngeloid on September 13rd, 2019 at 13:15 UTC »

I was born to a single mother in Toronto who immigrated from Philippines where she was a rice farmer and has only been a babysitter or a cleaning lady since. She applied to one of the better Co-ops in the city and also applied for RGI assistance. Through all the fluctuations in her income Canada has kept us afloat with the CCB, RGI, free healthcare, etc. When I was old enough to attend college I applied for OSAP and my household income was low enough that I got grants and loans to afford my bachelors. Finally, when I went to apply for jobs I got the help of youth employment services to get my start in a company. I now manage the compliance and health and safety in all their Ontario branches. I am certain I would not be anywhere near where I am now without the help of Canada.

Can't help being a little patriotic after that.

Ultionisrex on September 13rd, 2019 at 07:41 UTC »

I'll never forget the social services my father took advantage of as a single parent. I recognized early that I was raised by dad with Canada's support. That made me more of a patriot than anything else.

arielrecon on September 13rd, 2019 at 04:28 UTC »

Th ccb has definitely made some breathing room in my family’s budget