Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
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Released: 01 July, 1998

Revenue Minister Reminds Canadians About Increased Federal Benefits For Low-Income Families

OTTAWA, JULY 20, 1998...The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of National Revenue and M.P. (Vancouver South - Burnaby) today reminded Canadians that beginning today, low-income families who received the Child Tax Benefit (CTB) will start receiving an enhanced payment under the new Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) program.

For July, Revenue Canada will issue almost $495 million in payments to over three million recipients across Canada under the CCTB program.

"The enhanced CCTB payment is the federal government's contribution to the National Child Benefit," said Minister Dhaliwal. "The National Child Benefit is a joint federal, provincial, and territorial initiative aimed at reducing child poverty, encouraging parents of low-income families to participate in the workforce, and reducing government overlap and duplication."

"The purpose of the National Child Benefit is to provide Canadian children with a better start in life while encouraging their parents to find and keep jobs so they can support their families," added Minister Dhaliwal. "In all, some 1.4 million families and about 2.5 million children will receive higher family benefits under the federal government's contribution to this initiative."

Families must file income tax returns to receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit. Those who already received the Child Tax Benefit every month do not have to do anything to get their new CCTB payments. Like the Child Tax Benefit, the payments are calculated using income and family information provided on the tax returns of eligible individuals and their spouses. And, as was the case with the CTB, recipients should continue to advise Revenue Canada immediately about any changes to their address or family situation.

Canadians entitled to the benefit will be notified on July 20 or shortly thereafter. Their redesigned notices will show how Revenue Canada calculated their payments, and if they are entitled to the new supplement.

"It is important that CCTB recipients keep these July notices," said Minister Dhaliwal. "By doing so, they will help ensure that any enquiries they have about the CCTB, and certain related provincial and territorial programs under the National Child Benefit, can be handled quickly and efficiently by all levels of government."

Clients who are expecting a benefit payment and have not received it by July 27, 1998, should contact Revenue Canada's CCTB enquiry service at the following numbers:

St. John's, NF (709) 772-2996 Montréal, QC (514) 283-8577

Ottawa, ON (613) 941-9300 Toronto, ON (416) 952-2600

London, ON (519) 645-4560 Winnipeg, MB (204) 984-5700

Regina, SK (306) 780-8047 Calgary, AB (403) 233-5137

Vancouver, BC (604) 669-7815

Outside these areas, clients can call toll free at 1-800-387-1193 (1-800-387-1194 for service in French). This service is available weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time).

Questions relating to provincial and territorial social assistance changes and reinvestment programs should be addressed directly to those governments.

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For media information, contact:

Michael Barluk
Office of the Minister
of National Revenue
(613) 947-7299

CTB07/98