A by-the-numbers look at the Canada Child Benefit

OTTAWA — The parliamentary budget officer has taken a look at the long-term costs to the government and families of the Liberals’ new child benefit. Here are some figures about the benefit program.

3,552,000: Families who received benefits under the old system and who the PBO estimates are eligible to receive benefits under the new system.

4,072,000: Families the PBO estimates were eligible for benefits under the old system.

$4,439: Average benefit paid to families eligible under the old system.

$5,493: Average benefit paid to families eligible under the new system.

$22.4 billion: Forecast cost of the Canada Child Benefit next year, the first full year it is in place.

$21.5 billion: Forecast cost in 2021.

$17.2 billion: Net cost to the government over five years to replace the old system with the new child benefit

(Source: Parliamentary Budget Officer)

The Canadian Press

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