A history of family benefits in Québec

For 10 years now, the Régie des rentes du Québec has administered the child assistance program, which provides financial assistance to Québec families.

Are you surprised to hear that? Last year, the Régie paid some 2,2 billion $ to nearly 862 000 families. Parents who care for a handicapped child are also entitled to the supplement for handicapped children. 

 

When poring through our archives, I found a press release announcing the first child assistance payment. In it, the late Claude Béchard, who was the Minister of Employment, Social Solidarity and Family Welfare at the time, celebrated the fact that the Québec government continued to make families one of its main priorities.  

 

Ten years later, child assistance continues to be paid. But did you know that the Régie has also administered family allowances in Québec since 1971? I’ve drawn on Statistiques2013 — Soutien aux enfants (child assistance statistics for 2013; French only) to take you on a quick trip back in time.

1961-1973 – School allowance

In September 1961, the government paid the first benefits to parents: the school allowance. Totalling 10 $ a month, the allowance was paid for teenagers aged 16 and 17 who were attending school and who lived in Québec. It complemented the federal family allowance program.

1967-1973 – Family allowance

In April 1967, Québec created its own family allowance program for parents with a dependent child under age 16. Parents were entitled to 30 $ a year for 1 child and up to 283 $ a year for 6 children.  

 1974-1997 – Québec family allowance plan

A new plan took effect in January 1974 to replace the school allowance and the family allowance. Payments were made on a monthly basis to the mother of any unmarried child under age 18. In May 1977, the allowance paid for each child increased by 27% further to the government’s decision to redistribute an amount of 30 million $ raised through a sales tax on children’s clothing.

1980-2004 – Allowance for handicapped children

In January 1980, an allowance for handicapped children was created. The allowance was 60 $ a month.

 1988-1997 – Allowance for newborn children

This allowance was added in May 1988. Better known as the “baby bonus,” it was intended to raise birthrates. It provided a one-time payment of 500 $ on the birth of a family’s first or second child. An allowance of 375 $ was paid 4 times a year following the birth of a third child or of subsequent children, until the age of 2.

 1989-1997 – Allowance for young children

As of January 1989, this new allowance was paid to any child under age 6.

 1997-2004 – Family benefits

In September 1997, the Act respecting family benefits took effect, ending the allowance for newborn children and the allowance for young children. The Act made several notable changes. The new family allowance was mainly for low-income families since families with a family income over 50 000 $ were excluded. In 2004, some 496 000 families were receiving the family allowance.

Since 2005 – Child assistance

The child assistance measure came into effect in January 2005. It has two components: child assistance and the supplement for handicapped children. It replaces and enhances family benefits while covering all families with children under age 18, regardless of their income. In 2007, certain improvements were made to the child assistance program, including the ability to designate a beneficiary other than the mother.  

 All of these measures show just how important families are to Québec. Parents today continue to be covered by quality programs such as the Québec parental insurance plan (QPIP) and the reduced contribution childcare program. The QPIP was even singled out recently as one of the world’s best parental leave programs (article in French only). It’s something we can be proud of!  

 Just a quick note: the Régie has almost finished sending annual notices to all child assistance beneficiaries. Take a few minutes to check the information on your notice. It’s the best way to ensure that you’re receiving your fair share.
 

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