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Welcoming a Child Hub to support Canadians starting or expanding their family. Inara Prusakova/Dreamstime.com
Welcoming a Child Hub to support Canadians starting or expanding their family. Inara Prusakova/Dreamstime.com

Canada launches online resource to support citizens starting or expanding their family

Feb 17, 2025 | 9:27 AM

A new online portal, the Welcoming a Child Hub, is designed to provide information about services and benefits available from Canada’s government, all in one place.

It is intended for people starting or expanding their family — whether through birth, surrogacy or adoption.

The WCH offers a personalized checklist and highlights key benefits from the government.

It ensures parents can plan Employment Insurance leave, the Canada Child Benefit, Dental Care and may other benefits available to them through Canada’s government.

It also shares relatable stories inspired by real experiences.

Similar to the recently launched Retirement Hub and the What to Do When Someone Dies Hub, this initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving services and supporting Canadians through major life events and unique challenges.

Minister of Citizens’ Services Terry Beech said that accessing important government information should be simple — especially around major life events, such as welcoming a new child into the family.

“With this new life event hub, we’re making sure Canadians can access helpful government benefits and resources, spend less time navigating complex websites, and more time focusing on what truly matters — being present with their loved ones.” he said in a statement Monday.

Canada’s government said that each year, approximately 375,000 births are registered in Canada.

The WCH provides parents and guardians with valuable information, particularly regarding Employment Insurance maternity and parental benefits.

Service Canada created the online resource to address common challenges faced by parents with a new child when trying to access government information.

The goal is to improve access to services, making it easier for parents to know what is available to them and to understand how to coordinate their leave and benefits.