Just as we know that parents are in the best position to make decisions for their families, the best solutions to the diverse challenges confronting Canada’s communities are often found locally. Every day, the power of innovation is seen at work in communities across this country, as citizens, businesses and charitable groups join forces to tackle local problems.

Too often, however, grassroots efforts are hobbled by red tape. Too often, local solutions are denied access to government assistance because they do not fit the bureaucratic definition of the problem. Too often, the efforts of communities falter not on account of a lack of effort or heart, but because of a lack of expertise to turn good ideas into reality.

• Our Government will take steps to support communities in their efforts to tackle local challenges. 
• It will look to innovative charities and forward-thinking private-sector companies to partner on new approaches to many social challenges. 
• To recognize the enormous contribution volunteers make to Canada, our Government will also establish a prime ministerial award for volunteerism.

via www.speech.gc.ca

To help Canadian families to balance work and family life, our Government introduced the Universal Child Care Benefit to provide $100 per month for each child under the age of six. This is direct financial support to working families that gives them the freedom to choose the best child care for them. Our Government will strengthen this benefit for sole-support, single-parent families.

via www.speech.gc.ca