Critique of Canada's Family Allowances

Publisher:  National Anti-Poverty Organization, Canada
Year Published:  1977
Pages:  40pp   Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX481

When in January, 1974, major amendments to the Family Allowances came into effect, the National Anti-Poverty Organization examined the effect these changes had on Canadians.

Abstract: 
When in January, 1974, major amendments to the Family Allowances came into effect, the National Anti-Poverty Organization examined the effect these changes had on Canadians. They found that the total "increase" in Family Allowances had been swallowed up by inflation.

In a further move to point out inequities of Family Allowances and in response partly to recent news reports that the government is considering changes, N.A.P.O. is distributing their updated brief to the government. In reviewing the original, N.A.P.O. discovered absolutely no action had been taken on their recommendations. Government now says they cannot afford it as a universal program, because the cost would be astronomical.

N.A.P.O. believes money could be saved by allowing the individual the decision to voluntarily give up the Family Allowance. Moreover, the government should use the money saved by this action to bring Family Allowance payments back to their original level of spending power. Tax benefits to those who drop the allowance would over-ride any loss incurred.

This brief also includes several appendices and charts that give extensive data on Family Allowances across Canada.

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