Bev’s Briefing-e-newsletter

Deadline Extended for Universal Child Care Benefit

Our government understands how busy it is to run a family household. That’s why we have extended the deadline by two weeks for parents to apply for the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) to ensure they start receiving those payments in July. The deadline has been extended to May 15th. Eligible families who apply after May 15th can still receive payments, they just won’t start in July. As part of Economic Action Plan 2015, support for children under the age of 6 increases from $100 a month to $160 starting in July. Payments are retroactive back to January, 2015. That works out to $1920 per child, per year. The benefits are also now being extended to children aged 6 to 17 at $60 per month. That total is $720 per child, per year. Many families are already signed up to receive the UCCB but if you don’t think you are, or would like to make sure, simply head to www.Canada.ca/TaxSavings

L-K-M Businesses Benefit from Canada Summer Jobs Funding

We’re counting down the weeks until the arrival of summer! This year, a total of 91 students at 67 workplaces in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex will have jobs thanks to our Canada Summer Jobs program. This popular program provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees to create summer jobs for students between the ages of 15 and 30. I look forward to visiting some of the workplaces and meeting with some of the employers and students throughout the summer.

Special Commemorations

Last week, we marked two very significant anniversaries in our history. The 70th Anniversaries of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day and the Liberation of the Netherlands. Communities across the country organized special V-E Day ceremonies, parades, marches and other commemorative gatherings. In the Netherlands, Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined 60 Canadian veterans, including some from Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, and close to 1,000 Canadian students and cadets for this historic commemoration. Every year our government helps Canadians remember and understand the significance of important military milestones as we honour the brave men and women whose tremendous sacrifices made these achievements possible. We must always remember and celebrate the great freedoms these sacrifices secured for all of us.

Did You Know?

-A special commemorative pin has been created by Veteran’s Affairs for all Veterans who participated in the Liberation of the Netherlands. If you know of a Veteran who served in the Netherlands, be sure to give my Strathroy office a call at 1-800-586-4614.

-Canada is the most educated country in the world. Over half of our residents have post-secondary education.

-Canada is marking the birth of Her Royal Highness, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, with a $100,000 donation to Immunize Canada. This honourary gesture will promote child health and vaccination knowledge in Canada. Also, Princess Charlotte will be sent a Canadian-made snowsuit – hopefully one day she will get to visit and experience a truly Canadian winter!

Until next time,

Bev Shipley, M.P., Lambton-Kent-Middlesex