Province says $200 taxpayer rebate cheques are being mailed out
The Ford government has begun issuing $200 rebates to taxpayers and their eligible children to help offset the impact of the federal carbon tax and high interest rates.
On Oct. 29, 2024, the government announced it would send Ontario taxpayers the $200 rebate. A news release stated that the payments would “support families… at a time when the cost of living remains stubbornly high.”
As of Friday, Premier Doug Ford said the cheques are being mailed to all eligible residents. Qualifications include being 18 years of age and up, a resident in Ontario as of Dec. 31, 2023, not being bankrupt or incarcerated in 2024, and having filed a 2023 income tax and benefits return by Dec. 31, 2024.
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The province says families who qualify for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment will also receive a separate $200 cheque for each eligible child under 18.
“That means a family of five will receive $1,000 to spend on whatever you need most, like groceries, gas, repairs and everyday essentials,” Premier Ford said.
Families with children who did not receive the 2024 CCB can apply for a $200 rebate per child. The province is expected to release further details in the coming weeks.
Opposition leaders have widely criticized the move as a gimmick to buy votes ahead of the June 2026 election. While Premier Ford has refused to rule out an early election, opposition parties are preparing for a possible spring or fall contest.
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One organization, 200dollars.ca, has called on residents to donate the money from the province to local charities.
“If this $200 will make a real difference to your family in a time where the cost of living is most certainly climbing at a rate much faster than most of our incomes, we think you should keep it,” 200dollars.ca noted online. “But, if the impact of $200 on your overall day-to-day life will not be significant, we hope you’ll consider attempting to stretch those dollars further by pooling our resources towards organizations actively working to address the cost of living for many.”
