The NCB Progress Report: 2006

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Chapter 6
The Way Ahead

Through the collaboration of federal, provincial and territorial governments and First Nations, the National Child Benefit (NCB) initiative has established the key components of an integrated child benefit system. This system has resulted in a stronger national platform of child benefits, along with additional benefits and services provided at the provincial and territorial levels and by First Nations.

Since 1997, the Government of Canada has increased the level of benefits paid to low-income families with children in July of each year. As of July 2007, annual federal support to Canadian families with children delivered through the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) system is projected to reach $9.5 billion. The objective of replacing the child portion of social assistance benefits with an income-tested benefit for all low-income families has largely been achieved. As illustrated in Table 13 by 2007-2008, the amount of total federal child benefits for which low-income families are eligible will have increased by well over 100 percent from the 1996-1997 level, before the NCB was launched. Cost of living increases to the NCB Supplement will continue.

The benefits and services that provinces, territories and First Nations provide under the NCB initiative are important components of the system. These investments have been expanded since the NCB was established and have benefited from jurisdictions’ shared knowledge and experiences. Several jurisdictions have restructured their child benefit systems, most recently Ontario and Manitoba in 2007. The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) will provide an additional $2.1 billion over the first five years, and benefit almost 1.3 million children a year when fully implemented. Manitoba ’s 2007 Budget introduced a new $11-million Manitoba child benefit. Up to 33,000 children and their families will benefit.

Federal, provincial and territorial cooperation has been key to the success of the NCB initiative. All jurisdictions remain committed to working toward improving the situation of families in Canada, and informing Canadians about progress made. A process to launch further evaluation has begun. In addition, INAC is undertaking an evaluation of the First Nations NCBR initiative, scheduled for completion by March 2008.

Table 13
Maximum Levels of Federal Child Benefits for 1996-1997 and 2007-2008 Program Years (July to June) in Current Dollars ^a

^aCurrent dollars are in the actual dollars in a given year, and are not adjusted for inflation.