moved for leave to introduce Bill C-246, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (child adoption expenses).
Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to reintroduce my private member's bill to allow parents a one-time income tax deduction of up to $10,000 for the expenses related to the adoption of a child.
This legislation received tremendous support from both sides of the House during the last Parliament. Thousands of parents, social workers and children's advocates across Canada eagerly await its reintroduction today.
In this Parliament, however, I have increased the maximum expense deduction to $10,000 to better reflect the true costs of adoption, which can spiral to $30,000 or more. I am optimistic about the passage of the bill which would modernize the federal Income Tax Act to recognize that adoptive parents make a significant contribution to all of society.
I am also seeking the unanimous consent of the House that the bill be numbered C-246 as it was known in the last Parliament.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)