To provide assistance to eligible working Canadians the government announced on Thursday that it will be introducing legislation in Parliament that would provide a maximum of $250 as a Working Canadians Rebate Amount to more than 18.7 million Canadians.
The federal Liberals also announced that eligible working Canadians can expect to receive a Canada $250 cheque in early spring 2025. The Working Canadians Rebate still needs approval from Parliament.
Canada $250 Cheques
On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced GST/HST tax breaks and direct payments for millions of Canadians. It’s a great move that comes at a time when inflation is squeezing Canadian household budgets.
The tax-free $250 cheques, also known as the “Working Canadians Rebate,” will be provided to all Canadians who satisfy the eligibility requirements such as those who worked in 2023 and earned less than $150,000. The government stated that more than 18.7 million Canadians will get a benefit amount from this Working Canadians Rebate.
Canadians who did not work in 2023 and those who were retired and claiming CPP and/or OAS, will not get the Working Canadians Rebate. Trudeau also announced a temporary Goods and Services Tax (GST) break from December 14 to February 15, to lessen the cost of living during the upcoming holiday season.
Who is eligible for Canada’s $250 cheques?
To get the benefit amount from the tax-free $250 rebate program Canadians need to fulfill the following eligibility requirements.
- Interested Canadians need to work in 2023 and earn equal or less than $150,000.
- Interested individuals must file their 2023 tax return by December 31, 2024 and they need to
- Claimed the tax credit for Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan contributions on self-employment or employment earnings.
- Claimed the tax credit for Employment Insurance (EI) or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) premiums on self-employment or employment earnings
- Reported income from EI or QPIP benefits.
- Interested individuals need to reside in Canada on March 31, 2025.
- Individuals are not incarcerated for a maximum period of 90 days immediately before April 1, 2025.
- Applicants are not deceased on April 1, 2025.
When and how will you get Canada $250 cheques?
Every Eligible individual wants to know when they will receive their Canada $250 cheques? The exact payout date of Canada $250 cheques is not disclosed yet by officials but it is expected that eligible Canadians will get their $250 cheques in early spring of 2025.
The cheques will be delivered through bank or direct deposit payout receiving method or through physical cheques by mail. The direct deposit payment receiving method is the fastest, smooth, reliable, and easiest payout receiving method ever.
Whereas the physical cheques payout receiving method is slower than direct or bank deposit payout receiving method and often faces unexpected delays. So it is advised to you if changes occur in your circumstances such as mailing address, bank account details then please update your details to get the Canada $250 cheques on time.
What is the reaction of Opposition parties regarding Canada $250 cheques?
After the announcement of Canada’s $250 cheques on Thursday, Opposition parties quickly criticized this decision. They accused the Liberals of using financial incentives to curry favor before the next federal election, which is expected to occur as early as next year.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre dismissed this rebate program as a short-term distraction from what he sees as deeper affordability issues because of Liberal policies, especially because of carbon tax.
Poilievre also said that “Today what we offered is just a two-month temporary tax break trick that will not make up for the permanent quadrupling of the carbon tax on housing, food, heat and fuel”. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also accused the Liberals of using short-term financial assistance providing programs to gain favor of voters before the upcoming federal election.
However, the New Democrats show cautious support for this rebate program. Leader Jagmeet Singh expressed his willingness to work with the Liberals to get approval of the measures from Parliament.
He said that “Obviously, we’re going to help individuals to get a tax break.” Keep in mind that the working Canadians Rebate program will provide a benefit amount after the Parliamentary approval that remains uncertain.It is advised to you to keep in touch with officials to get the latest details about Canada’s $250 cheques.