The first Universal Child Care Benefit cheques are being printed and families should receive their cheques before the end of July.

“Our new government’s plan delivers direct child care support to parents for their children under six, and the first cheques will be in the mail by the end of July,” said Bev Oda,

The Universal Child Care Benefit will be paid to families in monthly instalments of $100 per child for children under six.

More than 90% of Canadian parents who are already registered for the Canada Child Tax Benefit will automatically receive the Universal Child Care Benefit cheques. Parents who register after July 2006 will be eligible to receive retroactive payments for up to 11 months.

The benefit is part of the federal government’s Universal Child Care Plan to provide parents with choice, support and spaces. Beginning in 2007, the government will also spend $250 million each year to create up to 25,000 new child care spaces annually.

For additional information on Canada’s new Universal Child Care Plan, please visit www.universalchildcare.ca.