Harper stresses the Universal Child Care Benefit

Harper stresses the Universal Child Care Benefit

RICHMOND HILL– Prime Minister Stephen Harper reaffirmed his proven approach to supporting the child care choices of individual Canadian families. He highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) and how it is helping all Canadian families.

The UCCB was introduced in 2006 and expanded in 2015 to help hard-working families make ends meet by putting more money in their pockets to spend on their priorities.
“Our party understands that child care decisions are best left in the hands of the real experts, mom and dad,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said. “That is why we introduced the UCCB in 2006 and expanded it in 2015.”

The UCCB provides a $160-per-month benefit for children under 6 and a $60-per-month benefit for children aged 6 through 17. All families with children – nearly 4 million – are receiving UCCB benefits.

The Prime Minister noted that the Opposition parties have different plans, “Both Justin and Thomas Mulcair have consistently opposed the UCCB since its inception,” said Mr. Harper, “Their dangerous, expensive schemes ignore the practical circumstances and choices of Canadian families and would take away benefits and raise taxes.”

The Prime Minister observed that the choice before Canadians is whether to preserve the UCCB or replace it with the flawed and dangerous plans of the other parties.  “Justin would scrap the $160-per-month benefit. He says it “isn’t fair” to provide child care benefits to every Canadian family,” said Mr. Harper.

(PRESS RELEASE)