Mr. Speaker, when the so-called $1,200 choice in child care scheme was announced, the NDP proved it was bogus, so in the budget it received a fancy new name, the universal child care benefit, and a few improvements. But it is still not $1,200, it is still not child care, and it is not universal, not even close.
The government is still taxing the benefit and eliminating the $249 young child supplement. Working families will see very little at the end of the day, not as much as a lot of wealthy Canadians, according to the latest from the Caledon Institute.
In fact, single working parents will get the least. They may see about $500 or $600. These people need child care the most. They need to earn a living to feed their families, but wealthy stay at home spouses of high income earners will see the highest benefit of all at $971. They need child care the least, but will see the most.
This is not a universal benefit. It is a universal con game and a cruel joke for working families and single parents.