In Canada, families are a priority – and government programs reflect that with concrete financial support. First: the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). This is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18. The amount is based on your family’s net income and the number of children you have. For 2026, the maximum annual benefit per child under 6 is around $7,800, and for children 6 to 17, it’s around $6,600.
Second: the GST/HST credit. A tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset the sales tax they pay. The amount depends on your family net income and the number of children.
Third: the Canada Dental Benefit. An interim federal benefit to help cover dental expenses for children under 12 whose families do not have private dental insurance and have a certain income level. This is being rolled into the broader Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which is expanding to cover more age groups.
Fourth: child care fees. Through federal-provincial agreements, the goal is to achieve $10-a-day regulated child care on average across Canada. Fees have been significantly reduced in many provinces and territories. Parents should check their provincial system for the latest rates and availability.
Fifth: provincial child benefits. In addition to the CCB, many provinces offer their own child benefits, which are often combined with the federal payment. For example, the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) and the BC Family Benefit.
