n. — historical, Administration
a monthly allowance paid to the parents or guardians of children under 18 years of age.
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — This federal program, begun in 1945, was Canada's first universal social program (see Canadian Encyclopedia reference). It was replaced in 1992 by the Canada Child Tax Benefit, into which other child support programs were consolidated (see Canadian Encyclopedia reference). As with other legal name changes, the older name continues to be used, as the quotations demonstrate. Other informal names include baby bonus or Mothers' Allowance. Though these programs were initially for children under the age of 16, the 1992 changes expanded the eligibility to children under 18.
See also COD-2 (s.v. "family allowance"), which marks it as "Cdn".