Mississauga - Omar Alghabra, Liberal Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erindale and Associate Critic for Social Development, reiterated his frustration with the poor policies implemented by the Conservative government and the lack of transparency used to explain these policies.

The Canada Revenue Agency stated that more than three-quarters of a million families are losing the monthly "Young Child Supplement" benefit without notification or explanation. While the Conservatives boast about the new taxable "Universal Child Care" benefit, they have neglected to inform Canadians that the real direct benefits will be much less than advertised.

"The Conservative government continues to demonstrate that they are being less than honest with Canadians about their policies," said Omar Alghabra. "They neglected to tell Canadians that the so-called $1,200 Child Care Benefit was taxable, that they are raising income taxes, that they are reducing the tax exemption threshold, and the list goes on."

The Conservatives claim that their Child Care Benefit offers families a choice, while, in fact, this policy direction will take choice away. Canadian families are struggling to find child care spaces, and while any financial relief is welcome, it still does not create spaces nor offer families choice in child care. Now it appears that the Conservatives have exaggerated the benefits of their policy and have misled Canadians in order to justify the cancellation of all child care agreements struck with the provinces that would have created affordable quality spaces.

"As the political rhetoric settles, it is becoming clear that Canadian families are not better off," said Alghabra. "Most of the policies implemented by the Conservatives are inadequate and contain no vision that will substantially benefit our society."

Alghabra is calling on the Conservative government to accept the facts and recognize the urgent need to help families and provinces to create quality and affordable child care spaces.