CTV.ca News
Stephen Harper is promising that a government led by the Conservatives would dole out day-care dollars directly to Canadian parents.
Under a Tory child-care strategy, individual families would be able to choose how they would utilize the day-care money they receive from the government -- money intended to give parents more choice than the Liberals' plan.
Speaking at an Ottawa day-care centre Monday morning, Harper promised:
a $1,200-a-year allowance for every child under the age of six per household -- money which families can use in any way they want; and
$250 million in annual tax credits to fund a community child-care investment program.
The $1,200 payment, the so-called "Choice in Child Care Allowance," would be taxable in the hands of the spouse with the lower income.
"Now, of course, it costs more than $1,200 a year to raise a child," said Harper. "But this will help parents with the choices they have to make."
Harper said that unlike many of the current child benefits, his proposed child care allowance will not be clawed back from middle-income families.
He added his program is not intended to replace any existing benefit program -- it would be in addition to the current Canada Child Tax Benefit, the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Child Care Expense Deduction.
"It's hard enough to be a parent, but governments should support your choices, not limit them," he said. "In fact, the only people who should be making these choices are parents, not politicians, not the government."
Harper said he expects the tax-credit system will create 125,000 new child-care spaces over the next five years.
Stephen Harper is promising that a government led by the Conservatives would dole out day-care dollars directly to Canadian parents.
Under a Tory child-care strategy, individual families would be able to choose how they would utilize the day-care money they receive from the government -- money intended to give parents more choice than the Liberals' plan.
Speaking at an Ottawa day-care centre Monday morning, Harper promised:
a $1,200-a-year allowance for every child under the age of six per household -- money which families can use in any way they want; and
$250 million in annual tax credits to fund a community child-care investment program.
The $1,200 payment, the so-called "Choice in Child Care Allowance," would be taxable in the hands of the spouse with the lower income.
"Now, of course, it costs more than $1,200 a year to raise a child," said Harper. "But this will help parents with the choices they have to make."
Harper said that unlike many of the current child benefits, his proposed child care allowance will not be clawed back from middle-income families.
He added his program is not intended to replace any existing benefit program -- it would be in addition to the current Canada Child Tax Benefit, the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Child Care Expense Deduction.
"It's hard enough to be a parent, but governments should support your choices, not limit them," he said. "In fact, the only people who should be making these choices are parents, not politicians, not the government."
Harper said he expects the tax-credit system will create 125,000 new child-care spaces over the next five years.
