Federal leaders focus on pledges to help Canadian families
Harper vows to help families adopting children, Mulcair promotes child-care plan, Trudeau to help caregivers
The three main federal party leaders were were on the campaign trail Thursday where they focused on their party's respective promises to help Canadian families.
Stephen Harper said a re-elected Conservative government would increase tax relief for families adopting children, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair promoted his universal child-care plan which promises a spot for every Canadian child at $15 per day, and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau vowed to give Canadians caring for a seriously ill family member greater access to benefits.
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"We believe that there is no higher calling than that of raising a child," Harper said during a campaign stop in Newmarket, Ont. "Nor can there be any greater reward."
Harper said the Conservatives would increase the value of the Adoption Expense Tax Credit, which is designed to defray the costs associated with adopting children.
We recognize that adoption costs can be high and, in some cases, prohibitive for parents.- Stephen Harper, Conservative leader
Currently, the non-refundable tax credit allows families to claim 15 per cent of adoption costs to a maximum of $15,000.
Harper vowed Thursday that a re-elected government would increase the maximum eligible adoption expenses to $20,000. At 15 per cent, that works out to $3,000 per child.
"What this means is lower-income families who pay little or no income tax will still be able to receive the full assistance of the government to help cover the cost of adoption," Harper said.
If the Conservatives are re-elected Oct. 19, the increase in the tax credit would be implemented in 2016 and cost the government an additional $4 million in foregone revenue.
About 3,000 children are adopted every year in Canada, according to the Adoption Council of Canada. As well:
- Public adoption can cost up to $3,000.
- Adoption through private agencies can go as high as $20,000.
- International adoptions can cost as much as $30,000.
NDP promotes $15 a day child-care plan
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair was in Vancouver on Thursday where he promoted the NDP's plan for universal child care.
He said his plan will make it easier for families in a province where two out of three children don't have access to regulated child care.
Children giggled and played with colourful toys during Mulcair's announcement, which came during a campaign stop in the riding of Vancouver Granville.
Mulcair said it's women who are forced to make difficult life decisions based on their children's needs.
He said he's spoken to mothers who say they're being forced to choose between their careers and their children.
Mulcair said his goal is to guarantee a child care spot for every Canadian child at $15 per day.
Liberals to offer more support for caregivers
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was in Victoria, B.C., where he pledged that a Liberal government would give Canadians greater access to benefits when caring for a seriously ill family member.
He said the expanded program wouldn't lead to Canadians paying higher employment insurance premiums.
Trudeau said under a Liberal government the six-month benefit could also be claimed incrementally over a one-year period.
The Liberal Party traditionally hasn't performed well on Vancouver Island, though Trudeau appears to be looking to gain traction in the southern region, where there's been a historical spattering of support.
The party hasn't been represented on the island since its last MP stepped down in 2011, after which they were soundly trounced in a tight two-way race between the Conservatives and the NDP.
With files from The Canadian Press