Finance Committee on Oct. 4th, 2011

[Louise Smith-MacDonald]

Yes, we have seen the results of the national working income tax benefit. Some of it is positive, but the ceilings are so low that I believe if you're a single person and make over $14,000 you don't benefit. So the ceilings need to be raised. The working income tax credit of $1,014, or whatever, again, is very much lost if a woman is only working part time, and very often her personal allowance will be enough to take her off.

It's a benefit that is there, but it's not usable by everybody. I guess that is what I am trying to say.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

On the national child benefit, obviously for families—

[Louise Smith-MacDonald]

There are big improvements in that. The national child tax benefit itself has improved, but again, most organizations that I work with would like to see the supplement, or the $100 early child tax, go toward day care, to a federal day care program.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay. I'd love to continue this discussion, but I want to thank all of you for being with us here this morning, for your presentations and your responses to our questions.

Colleagues, we are a little bit flexible on time so we can certainly exchange views informally after the session.

Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.