News release

Increase in Canada Child Tax Benefit payments

Ottawa, July 19, 2001...In keeping with the Government's commitment to building a brighter future for our children, the Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that with the changes introduced by the Federal Budget of February 2000 and the Economic Statement of October 2000, the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) is providing higher benefits this year and will be extended to even more families.

On July 20, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) will issue more than $661 million in CCTB payments to more than 3 million recipients across Canada. This represents about 80% of all Canadian families with children under the age of 18. The CCTB is comprised of the basic benefit plus the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS). The basic benefit is increasing with the cost of living index. The family net income at which the basic benefit begins to decrease is now $32,000.

The NCBS component of the CCTB is the federal government's contribution to the National Child Benefit initiative. The NCBS component is being increased by more than $23 per child per month. The family net income at which the NCBS begins to decrease is now $21,744.

"Federal, provincial and territorial governments have been working together to help with the costs of raising children through the National Child Benefit initiative," said Minister Cauchon. "The CCRA is proud to share in this commitment to helping Canada's children."

In order to receive or continue to receive the CCTB, there are important points to remember:

• Individuals have to complete an application form to register new children for the benefit payment.
• Benefits are calculated based on family net income. Both spouses or common-law partners have to file an income tax and benefit return on time each year.
• Individuals should inform the CCRA immediately of their new address when they move, even if they use direct deposit and their bank account doesn't change.

• the BC Family Bonus;
• the New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit;
• the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit;
• the Northwest Territories Child Benefit;
• the Nova Scotia Child Benefit;
• the Nunavut Child Benefit;
• the Saskatchewan Child Benefit;
• the Yukon Child Benefit.

For more details on the CCTB, please refer to the attached fact sheet. Information can also be found under Newsroom and on the Child and Family Benefits page on the CCRA's Web site at: www.ccra.gc.ca.

CCTB07/01