Mr. Speaker, I had started my speech by talking about the Canada child benefit, because I believe it is probably one of the most innovative and important elements of this budget.
The Canada child benefit directs money to those who need it the most. Couples or singles who are raising children, earning under $30,000 in income per year, will get $6,400 tax free for children below the age of six, and $5,400 tax free for children between 6 and 18.
What I saw during the election campaign in parts of my riding were many families who were struggling to decide how to use the small amount of money they had, struggling to decide between feeding kids and putting them in after-school sports. I know that this measure will really help many children in Canada come out of poverty.