The federal government will raise the Canada Child Benefit on July 20, adding modest annual amounts to the tax-free support paid to families with children across the country, including those in Kelowna.
What the increase means
Families receiving the full benefit will see an additional $160 per child under the age of six and an extra $135 for each child aged six to 17 compared with the previous year. The actual payment a household receives depends on household income and the number and age of children in the home.
Federal figures cited with the announcement estimate the program supports about 17,000 children in B.C. and roughly six million across Canada. The government describes the CCB as a tax-free payment designed to help families with the costs of raising children.
Local launch and community context
Kelowna’s federal MP, Stephen Fuhr, marked the announcement on July 17 by visiting the BGC North Glenmore Club, where he spent time with staff and children. The MP framed the increase as part of a broader set of measures the government says are aimed at providing both immediate relief and long-term opportunity.
“There’s a wide range of things the government is doing to provide relief to families today while we provide opportunities for tomorrow,”
Community organizations that deliver programs for children and youth say predictable funding streams — including parental income supports like the CCB — affect how families access recreational and developmental services. For some households, the extra funds may help cover child care, program fees or everyday costs; for others receiving reduced benefits due to income thresholds, the change will be proportionally smaller.
How payments are calculated
The benefit is calculated using a household’s adjusted family net income and the number and ages of children. The announced per-child increases are the maximum amounts for those eligible for the full benefit; households with higher incomes receive reduced payments according to the established formula.
- Effective date: July 20
- Maximum increase: $160 (under 6), $135 (ages 6–17)
- Eligibility factors: household income and number/age of children
| Child age | Maximum base benefit | Annual increase (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | $8,157 | $160 |
| 6–17 | $6,883 | $135 |
Families and service providers in Kelowna will be watching how the increase interacts with rising local costs, including child-care availability and program fees charged by community centres. While the additional amounts are modest, municipal social-service planners note that regular, predictable supports can influence household budgeting and program participation.
For households that believe they may be eligible, or to check exact payment amounts, the government directs residents to the official Canada.ca page for the Canada Child Benefit.
