Family allowances in the Canadian Arctic

Extract

Family allowances for all Canadian children under 16 years of age were instituted in 1944. The amount per child varies from $5.00 to $8.00 per month, according to the age of the child and the number of children in the family. In the well-settled parts of the Dominion, the allowances are paid by cheque each month to the mother of the family. In isolated areas, such as the Arctic, the allowances are paid “in kind”; in other words, the family are allowed to purchase goods from their usual trader up to the amount to which they are entitled. In the Canadian Eastern Arctic nearly all trading posts are maintained by the Hudson's Bay Company. In order to report the number of Eskimo children in the families, registrars and sub-registrars are appointed in the various areas. In localities where detachments of Royal Canadian Mounted Police are posted, a police officer acts as the registrar. In other localities the trader or traders act as sub-registrars. The Eskimo families notify one or other of these officials as soon as possible after a new baby is born, that is, when they next visit the trading post or settlement.