Ontario might claw back federal child-care cash
Last Updated Tue, 28 Feb 2006 13:21:56 EST
CBC News
Ontario's poorest families might never receive
a monthly child-care allowance proposed by
the new federal government because the
province might claw it back, poverty
advocates warn. "I'd be horrified if they did,"
said Cynthia Wilkey, a lawyer with the
Income Security Advocacy Centre in Toronto.
"But would it surprise me? No."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has
promised to introduce a bill that would give
parents $1,200 a year for each child
under age six, meant to help pay for child
care.
The proposed bill would have to be
passed by MPs in the House of Commons
after they resume sitting in April.
Harper has said he would like to see the
funds mailed out in monthly cheques
starting in July.
However, the Ontario government has
refused to rule out the possibility that it
might deduct the federal funding
from social assistance funds for the
poor or disabled.
Wilkey pointed out that the province
already deducts the National Child
Benefit Supplement from social assistance
and disability cheques, even though
Premier Dalton McGuinty's Liberals
promised to stop the clawback during the
last election campaign.
No decision made
yet: minister
Sandra Pupatello, minister of community
and social services, said the government
has not made a decision about the
proposed child-care allowance, but
defended the province's record.
"Our history since we became the
government has been to try to make life
better for people who are on social assistance,
and I think that every single thing we've done
since we've become the government has
indicated that," said Pupatello.
She said the Ontario Liberals were focused
on fighting to save an existing child-care
funding deal that the province signed with
the federal government when
Paul Martin's Liberals still held power.
The federal Liberals had signed $5 billion in
child-care agreements with several provinces
before they were ousted in January's general
election.
The Conservatives have told the provinces
that it planned to end those agreements by
March 2007.
Instead, they have promised the child-care
allowances – regardless of a family's income
– along with $250 million in tax credits to
help employers and non-profit agencies
create new day-care spaces.
The federal Liberals said on Tuesday that their top
priority once the Commons resumes sitting on
April 3 will be to fight the Tory child-care plan.

WHAT A DISGRACE! Here I was thinking the poor
had it good! and things were getting better.
HOW DO THEY LIVE?
WHAT ABOUT CANADA'S PROMISE TO
DIMINISH CHILDREN SUFFERING?
NO WONDER WE HAVE SO MUCH CRIME...
SO MUCH STREE ON THE POOR TO PROVIDE
... Do not even try to say if they can't afford it
don't have children.
Every one has the right to live a normal
family life.
Employers must pay proper wages to the
employees who are ensuring they can have
a family and enjoy the luxury theY require.
THANKS To employees busting their asses
for the big bosses.