Tories offer child care allowance [CA]

EXCERPTS

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says a Tory government would give families an annual child care payment of $1,200 for each child under six.

He's also offering $250 million in tax credits to help community groups and businesses create new day care spaces.

The $1,200 payment, called the choice in child care allowance, would be taxable in the hands of the spouse with the lower income.

Harper says he expects the tax credit system will create 125,000 new child care spaces over the next five years.

He says families can use the $1,200 in any way they want.

- reprinted from the Toronto Star