Just over a year ago the Liberal government made some changes to the Canada Child Benefit.

Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota says on average families in his riding received $580 each and close to 15,000 children have benefited.

He says the money is being made available at the beginning of the month not at tax time under the former government program.

Rota says it’s up to parents how the money is spent whether it’s on school supplies, sports activities, groceries or summer camp.

Rota says the bottom line is parents can help their children through the benefit.

Rota says overall $4.9 million has been available in his riding and provincially the number is over $742 million.

The feds say the benefit helps 300,000 children and 9 out of 10 families benefit.

If families have a net income of less than $30,000 they receive the maximum benefit of $6,400 for each child under 6 and $5,400 for children older than 6 but under 17.

Filed under: child benefit, MP Anthony Rota