Millions of Canadian families will receive larger Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments beginning this month as the federal government increases the tax-free benefit to help parents cope with the rising cost of raising children.
The announcement was made Friday in Saint John, New Brunswick, where Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions Wayne Long, speaking on behalf of Secretary of State for Children and Youth Anna Gainey, outlined the enhanced support families will receive during the 2026–27 benefit year.
Beginning this month, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 per child under the age of six and up to $6,883 per child aged six to 17. The increase represents up to $160 more per child under six and $135 more per child aged six to 17 compared with the previous benefit year.
The federal government said the additional support is intended to help families manage everyday expenses, including groceries, clothing, school supplies and child care, while easing financial pressures created by higher living costs.
In New Brunswick alone, the Canada Child Benefit provides more than $641 million annually to approximately 81,000 families, supporting about 130,000 children across the province.
Across Canada, the program provides approximately $30 billion in annual tax-free payments to about 3.6 million families raising 6 million children. The government says the benefit has helped lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty while directing more financial support to families who need it most.
Secretary of State for Children and Youth Anna Gainey said the increase demonstrates the government’s continued investment in children and families.
“Starting Monday, the Canada Child Benefit is going up for 3.6 million Canadian families. This increased monthly payment will help cover everyday expenses like school supplies, clothing, and groceries. When we invest in kids, we’re investing in our future and building Canada strong.”
Long said the annual adjustment ensures families continue receiving meaningful support as living costs change.
“The Canada Child Benefit has helped families in the province, including my own community of Saint John—Kennebecasis, cover the costs of raising children and build a stronger future for their kids. By increasing payments each year to keep pace with inflation, we are ensuring families continue to receive the support they need when it matters most.”
The Canada Child Benefit is a monthly tax-free payment available to eligible families with children under 18. The amount families receive depends on several factors, including the number and ages of children in their care and the family’s adjusted net income from the previous year.
The government noted that a family with one five-year-old and one nine-year-old child and an adjusted net family income of $65,000 would receive approximately $11,430 under the 2026–27 benefit year—nearly $400 more than it would have received in 2025–26.
The benefit has been indexed to inflation annually since 2018, with adjustments taking effect each July 1 at the start of the program year. According to the federal government, indexing is intended to ensure that support keeps pace with increases in the cost of living while providing predictable assistance to families.
The government also cited research indicating that the Canada Child Benefit has made it easier for single low-income mothers to make ends meet, with 85 per cent of respondents in one study reporting they would struggle significantly without the benefit. Other studies found the program has enabled low-income families to spend more on basic necessities, including food, shelter and children’s clothing, while reducing the rate of severe food insecurity among low-income families by about one-third.
While the federal government says the Canada Child Benefit has become one of its key measures for reducing child poverty and supporting household finances, the effectiveness of the program continues to be evaluated through ongoing research into its impact on affordability and child well-being across Canada.
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