July 29, 2007

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT EXPANDS OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

New Ontario Child Benefit To Help Nearly 1.3 Million Children

QUEEN’S PARK — Families eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit will soon begin to receive cheques of up to $250 per child for the 2007 one time down payment, Minister of Children and Youth Services Mary Anne Chambers announced today.

“The new Ontario Child Benefit is one of the steps we are taking to help alleviate poverty,” said Chambers. “Our government is committed to supporting Ontario’s children and families so no one is left behind.”

The initial cheque, which may be up to $250, is a one-time down payment to eligible low-income families. Regular monthly payments will start in July 2008. The Ontario Child Benefit will grow to a maximum of $1,100 annually per child by 2011. At maturity, it will support nearly 1.3 million children under age 18 in more than 600,000 families.

“Investing in our most vulnerable is about giving everyone an opportunity to succeed in life,” said Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services. “Our government has made steady progress each and every year to help people and families get the supports they need to break away from poverty – and we have no intention of slowing down.”

Depending on their income, parents may qualify for the Ontario Child Benefit if they have a child under 18, are a resident of Ontario, have filed their income tax return and are registered for the federal Canada Child Tax Benefit. Parents who have yet to file their 2006 income tax may still receive the one-time down payment for 2007.

More information on the Ontario Child Benefit can be obtained at www.OntarioChildBenefit.ca or by calling the Ministry of Children and Youth Services toll-free at 1-888-789-4199 or in Toronto at 416-325-5666. For questions about payments, individuals can contact the Canada Revenue Agency toll-free at 1-866-458-2198.

Other improvements implemented by the McGuinty government to help low-income families in Ontario include:

• Increasing social assistance rates for the third consecutive year: 3 per cent in 2005, 2 per cent in 2006 and 2 per cent in 2007
• Raising the minimum wage to $10.25 per hour by early 2010
• Extending health benefits for people exiting social assistance for employment
• Allowing social assistance recipients to keep registered education savings plan (RESP) funds so that their children can get an education and escape the cycle of financial dependency.

“In addition to helping all children in low-income families, the Ontario Child Benefit also means parents would be able to move off social assistance without worrying about losing support for their children,” said Chambers. “This is the right thing to do for our children and the smart thing to do for our society and economy.”