Family support comes from several systems. Tax benefits, employment insurance, provincial programs and child-care subsidies have different eligibility rules and applications.
Start with the Canada Child Benefit
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment for eligible families. Newcomers may need to provide immigration, residence, family and world-income information. Both spouses or common-law partners generally need to keep their tax returns current for payments to continue.
Use the Canada Revenue Agency’s newcomer instructions. You do not need to pay a company to apply.
Maternity and parental benefits are different
Employment Insurance maternity and parental benefits replace part of employment income for eligible workers. Eligibility depends on insurable work and other requirements; it is not automatic because a child is born or adopted.
Job-protected leave is governed by federal, provincial or territorial employment law. The length and notice rules can differ from the Employment Insurance payment period.
Child care is local
Provinces and territories manage licensed child care and fee-reduction or subsidy programs. Search the official site where you live for:
- licensed-provider directories
- wait-list information
- fee assistance
- inclusion or disability supports
- before- and after-school care
Join wait-lists early, but ask whether a fee is refundable. Verify a provider’s licence directly with the regulator rather than relying only on an advertisement.
Keep family information current
Benefits can change after a move, change in marital status, new child, shared parenting arrangement or change in immigration status. Update the responsible organization promptly and keep confirmation of the change.