EXCERPTS

The federal Conservative government's new Universal Child Care Benefit has not met with universal approval in Portage la Prairie.

"I don't think it's a good deal," said Heather Leeman, program co-ordinator at Portage's Young Parent's Resource Centre (YPRC). "It's not possible to get quality child care on $100 a month."

Under the new plan, which goes into action this month, families with children under the age of six will receive $100 per child, per month for child care.

…

Leeman said many parents who use the resource centre share her sentiment and know first-hand $100 is an inadequate amount.

…

Since the child-care money is considered taxable income and may be affected by other circumstances the recipient is in, Leeman said the actual amount a family receives could be as low as $20.

April Krastel, executive director at Portage Day Care Centre Inc., pointed out a second problem with the child-care credit's taxable status.

Since the money is considered taxable income, some parents may be pushed into a higher tax bracket, making them ineligible for child-care subsidy programs. In that case, parents would actually end up paying more for child care than if they had never received Stephen Harper's benefit in the first place.

…

However, some parents are looking forward to receiving the extra money.

Portager Giselle Pichette, a single mom with a two-year-old son, believes the benefit is a good idea, especially after her day-care costs recently increased.

…

Portage-Lisgar Conservative MP Brian Pallister also believes the taxable benefit will have a positive impact on families.

"Constituents have expressed significant support for this initiative and want to see increased flexibility for families when making child-care decisions," he said.

- reprinted from the Portage La Prairie