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Budget 2003
Families, Communities, and Culture
February 18, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario
Providing support for families and children in need is a reflection of a
society that is compassionate and caring. It is also an investment in the
future.
Families
Budget 2003 provides an $965-million-per-year increase to the National Child
Benefit supplement of the Canada Child Tax Benefit by 2007. This brings the
maximum annual benefit for a first child provided through the CCTB to $3,243,
$3,016 for the second child, and $3,020 for each additional child. This increase
will amount to estimated annual support of over $10 billion in 2007 – more
than double what it was in 1996.
We are providing $935 million over five years to help provinces, territories,
and First Nations provide greater access to quality child care and early
learning opportunities. This is particularly vital for single parents or those
managing on low incomes.
We are providing $50 million per year for a new Child Disability Benefit for
low- and modest-income families that will provide up to $1,600 per year for a
child with a disability. Other tax measures will facilitate RRSP rollovers to
infirm dependent children and expands the list of eligible expenses for the
medical expenses tax credit.
Budget 2003 sets aside $25 million in 2003-04 and $80 million per year
starting in 2004-05 to help people with disabilities. We will be guided by an
upcoming evaluation of the Disability Tax Credit and the advice of a technical
advisory committee.
Budget 2003 also provides a new Employment Insurance Benefit for a six-week
compassionate care leave for people who take time off from their jobs to care
for gravely ill or dying family members.
Aboriginal Peoples
Budget 2003 enhances existing programs and includes significant investments
to improve the quality of life of Aboriginal Canadians, both on and off reserve.
This includes:
- $17 million over two years to meet needs of Aboriginal Peoples in urban
centres;
- $72 million for education, training and employment opportunities;
- $18 million over the next years to support Aboriginal languages and
culture;
- $1.3 billion over five years to support health programming for First
Nations and Inuit including capital development, nursing programs, and an
immunization strategy on reserves;
- $600 million over five years to upgrade, maintain and monitor water and
wastewater systems on First Nations reserves;
- $42 million over two years for the First Nations Policing Program;
- $172.5 million over 11 years to support the creation and the operation of
a new Aboriginal Languages and Cultures Centre under the stewardship of
Aboriginal people;
- $20 million over two years for Aboriginal Business Canada to enhance
support for business development and entrepreneurship.
Culture
We are strengthening Canada’s culture with an investment of $150 million
over two years to the Canadian Television Fund to promote the production of
quality television programming.
Budget 2003 invests $114.5 million in the next two years to launch a
five-year action plan on official languages.
We are also investing $10 million a year for three years to a contribution
program that will provide a financial incentive to the private sector to
preserve historic places.
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