Rebate intended to help Canadians buy the things they need and save for the things they want
While Ottawa can’t dictate what you see on any given cash register, the prime minister says his government can put money in our pockets.
“With the Working Canadians Rebate, we are putting money directly into the pockets of the middle-class — those who have worked hard to beat inflation,” said Trudeau about the rebate.
What is the income threshold for receiving the $250 rebate?
Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned less than $150,000 in net income are eligible for the tax-free rebate.
They need to have filed their 2023 tax return by Dec. 31, 2024. Within the tax return filing, they must have claimed the tax credit for Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan contributions on employment or self-employment earnings. And also claimed the tax credit for Employment Insurance or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan premiums on employment or self-employment earnings.
Any income from EI or QPIP benefits must also have been reported.
Other eligibility requirements
They must also be a resident of Canada on March 31, 2025.
Prisoners are out of luck if they have been incarcerated for 90 days immediately before April 1, 2025.
Last, but not least, a potential recipient can’t be deceased on April 1, 2025.
Ottawa says the Canada Revenue Agency is already working to deliver the $250 Working Canadians Rebate in early spring 2025. Canadians will receive it as a direct deposit or cheque.
What is government’s rationale for the rebate?
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland wrote about the rebate on X Thursday: “While inflation and interest rates are coming down, we know that Canadians aren’t feeling that yet. This spring, Canadian workers making less than $150,000/year will receive a $250 rebate. We’re making life a bit easier, so you have a little more money in your pockets.”
What do the critics say?
According to the Fraser Institute, the $250 rebate is “perhaps the worst element of the Trudeau government’s announcement.”
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