Ontario Liberals Call for a $50 Per Month Increase to Ontario Child Benefit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ​
​November 11, 2022

TORONTO, ON — Today, the Ontario Liberals are calling on Doug Ford and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy to include a $50 per month increase to the Ontario Child Benefit as part of Monday’s Fall Economic Statement. The increase will provide immediate pocketbook relief for low-income families struggling with skyrocketing costs of living.

The $50 per month boost would apply to families earning less than $30,000 annually, giving $600 per year to over 125,000 low-income families and benefiting nearly 180,000 children in Ontario. The Liberals are also urging the Premier and Finance Minister to quickly backdate the increase to April 2022.

“Ontario’s lowest-income earners have been hit hardest as inflation continues to drive up the price of everyday essentials,” said Stephanie Bowman, MPP for Don Valley West and Ontario Liberal Finance critic. “We are calling on the government to include this increase in the Fall Economic Statement so families who are struggling can get the relief they need now.”

The economic situation for families has changed dramatically since Doug Ford and his government tabled the 2022 budget in April. Increasing inflation since then has resulted in significant government surpluses yet the Premier and the Finance Minister have failed to allocate these additional funds toward the public services Ontarians rely on.

The government is acting like we cannot afford the supports that Ontarians need while they park billions of dollars in contingency funds. Backdating a $50 per month increase to the Ontario Child Benefit would provide low-income Ontarians with immediate financial relief.