Advertisement

Conservatives pledge tax relief for Canadians on parental leave

Click to play video: 'Andrew Scheer announces new tax credit for parents as first economic policy plank of party'
Andrew Scheer announces new tax credit for parents as first economic policy plank of party
WATCH ABOVE: Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer announced the first plank of the party's economic policy on Wednesday, which will see Scheer try and get a tax credit for new parents implemented through a private member's bill – Feb 1, 2018

The federal Conservatives are proposing a tax break for parents of newborns.

At a policy announcement Thursday, the Tories said they will introduce the proposed measure as a private members bill in the hope of having it passed into law in the current sitting of Parliament.

But party officials acknowledge the plan is effectively the first major policy announcement for the Conservatives leading into the 2019 election campaign.

WATCH: Liberals slam Conservatives over new family tax credit

Click to play video: 'Liberals slam Conservatives over new family tax credit'
Liberals slam Conservatives over new family tax credit

The proposal, called the Supporting New Parents Act, would see Canadians on parental leave get a credit on their employment insurance benefits equal to the federal tax on those benefits.

Story continues below advertisement

LISTEN: Conservative leader Andrew Scheer joins Kelly Cutrara on 640 Toronto

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said the credit would be worth $4,000 for a parent who earns $50,000 annually.

WATCH: Scheer calls PM’s canceling of tax benefits ‘mean-spirited attack’

Click to play video: 'Scheer calls PM’s canceling of tax benefits ‘mean-spirited attack’'
Scheer calls PM’s canceling of tax benefits ‘mean-spirited attack’

He said the government should not be taxing the time parents take to be with their children during their early years.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices