Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Make It Easier for Parents of Newborns to Apply for Benefits

Released on January 11, 2016

Four-In-One Service Means Less Work for New Parents When Registering The Birth of Their Baby

eHealth Saskatchewan (eHealth) has partnered with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to make it easier for parents to apply for federal and provincial benefits for their newborn children.

Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Saskatchewan Health Minister Dustin Duncan, today announced the Bundled Birth Service which will give Saskatchewan parents the option to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and Canada child benefits for their newborn at the same time that they register their child’s birth.

“It’s an important time for parents, when a baby is born,” said Duclos. “Through our collaboration with the Province of Saskatchewan, we are simplifying processes to allow parents to spend more quality time with their newborn.”

“The Government of Canada is committed to providing faster service that supports and assists Canadians,” said Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier. “That includes helping them obtain the benefits to which they are entitled. The Canada Revenue Agency is actively partnering with federal and provincial departments to make it simple and easy for families across Canada to access Canada child benefits at a time when life can be particularly demanding.”

“Welcoming a newborn into the world can be an exciting and very busy time for parents,” Duncan said. “Our government is committed to supporting new parents and this new birth bundling package will make it quicker and easier for them to access government services related to the birth of their child.”

“We understand that new parents have their hands and arms full when they welcome a new addition into their family and don’t have a lot of extra time to be filling out paperwork,” eHealth Saskatchewan CEO Susan Antosh said. “Giving parents access to four optional government services through one comprehensive form will mean more free time to spend with their loved ones.”

After the birth of a baby, parents will receive an improved and more user-friendly Registration of Live Birth form, which makes it easier for parents to register the birth of their child and also apply for related government services, including:

Social Insurance Number through ESDC;
Canada Child Benefits (CCB) through CRA;
Saskatchewan Health Card, through eHealth; and
Saskatchewan Birth Certificate through eHealth.

Quick Facts:

The Registration of Live Birth form is available in health care facilities throughout Saskatchewan.
With their child’s SIN, parents can access various Government of Canada programs and benefits including the Canada Learning Bond and the Canada Education Savings Grant.
Applying early for CCB ensures that parents receive the credit and benefit payments to which they are entitled, on time and in the right amount.
In addition to registering births, eHealth is responsible for providing health services cards and registering deaths, marriages and changes of name that occur in the province.
The Bundled Birth Service is available for parents living in any of the provinces.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
Phone: 819-994-5559
Email: media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Philippe Brideau
Canada Revenue Agency
Phone: 613-941-6269

Lisa Adam
eHealth Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-337-0976
Email: lisa.Adam@ehealthsask.ca
Cell: 306-540-5816

Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Make It Easier for Parents of Newborns to Apply for Benefits

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