The first Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) payment for this year is being sent to Canadians today. This payment is part of a quarterly distribution designed to support eligible citizens.
People living in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the four Atlantic provinces will receive this payment if they filed their 2023 tax returns. The payments are distributed every three months, with future installments scheduled for April, July, and October.
The CCR payment, previously called the Climate Action Incentive Payment, helps Canadians manage costs related to federal pollution pricing. According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the rebate ensures most households receive more money back than they pay through the fuel levy and related GST. A report from the parliamentary budget officer in October 2024 confirmed this benefit.
Payment Details for Ontarians
If you live in Ontario, you can expect to receive a payment ranging from $95 to $225. Ontarians will get a base amount of $140, which is higher than last year’s $122.
Families in Ontario will also receive $70 for a second adult in the household and $35 for each child under 19. The government estimates that a family of four will typically get $280 every three months.
Residents in rural and small-town areas will receive an additional 20% on top of the base rebate. This adjustment recognizes their higher energy needs and limited access to cleaner transportation options. The federal government adjusts the payment amounts annually to align with changes in pollution pricing.
How to Receive Your Payment
You do not need to apply for the CCR payment, but you must file your income tax and benefit return. This is the only way the government can determine your eligibility and send you the payment.
In households, only one person, usually the one who files taxes first, will receive the rebate for the entire family.
New residents of Canada who meet eligibility criteria can also qualify for the CCR payment. They must submit specific forms to a tax centre to process their application. If certain conditions are unmet, individuals can still apply by completing additional forms.
Canadians must file their taxes every year to continue receiving this rebate, even if they have no income to report. If the payment does not arrive today, you should wait 10 business days before contacting the CRA.
What Lies Ahead for CCR Payments
The future of these payments may depend on the outcome of the next federal election, which must occur by October. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to eliminate the carbon tax if elected as Canada’s next prime minister. This pledge raises concerns about the continuation of CCR payments under a Conservative government.
Poilievre has criticized the carbon levy for increasing the cost of essentials like food and fuel. While the Liberal government highlights the rebates as a key benefit of the levy, Poilievre and his party often dismiss these claims.
Recent polls by Nanos Research indicate strong support for the Conservatives, with 42% of Canadians favoring them. Meanwhile, the Liberals and NDP trail with 23% and 21% support, respectively. In Ontario, traditional Liberal areas, such as the Greater Toronto Area, are showing signs of shifting Conservative or becoming too close to predict.
This evolving political landscapee could play a major role in shaping the future of carbon tax policies and related rebates in Canada
