Provincial officials were at a Burnaby elementary school this morning (Monday) to promote the new B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit.
Katrina Chen, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed and minister of state for child care, said the new benefit is aimed at helping middle-class families and parents forced to decide between staying at home with their children and returning to school or work.
“When we support our children, it is about building the foundation of our community,” said Chen, speaking at Morley Elementary School.
Starting in October 2020, the B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit will replace and expand the previous Early Childhood Tax Benefit.
The benefit, which currently ends at six years of age, will now continue until age 18.
“We know the costs don’t stop when your child turns seven,” said Finance Minister Carole James.
The B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit, announced in February’s provincial budget, is set to give nearly $400 million to approximately 290,000 families throughout B.C by October 2020.
Families earning up to $97, 487 with one child and families earning up to $114, 487 with two children will be eligible to receive the benefit.
The maximum annual benefit is set at $1,600 for the first child, $2,600 for two children and $3,400 for three children.
