The NCB Progress Report: 2005

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Chapter 7
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. By the final year of the of the five year investment plan that was put in place in 2003, annual federal support to Canadian families with children delivered through the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) system is projected to reach $9.5 billion. As illustrated in Table 18, 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. 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.

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.

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.

Table 18
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.