Hon. Catherine S. Callbeck:

Honourable senators, my question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. At present, one in nine children in this country lives in poverty — that equates to approximately 800,000 children. With the economic slowdown looming, this number will likely increase. The Conservative government introduced the Child Tax Benefit, but it is not refundable, so the poorest families cannot benefit because they do not pay income tax. A family earning $20,000 receives no benefit, whereas a family earning $100,000 receives the benefit under the child tax credit. Would the leader recommend to the Minister of Finance that the Child Tax Benefit be refundable so that the children of the poorest families can benefit?


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