(Ottawa) Canadians who are eligible for the GST rebate can expect to receive an additional lump sum payment shortly – if they haven’t already received it by direct deposit on Friday.
Posted at 4:16 p.m.
A single person eligible for the refund should receive up to $234, while a couple with two children will receive up to $467. Seniors will receive an average of $225 more on average, the government says.
The Liberal government’s bill to temporarily double the Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund once and for all passed Parliament last month with unanimous support from opposition parties.
The New Democratic Party has long advocated this measure to help low- and modest-income Canadians cope with the rising cost of living.
During a speech in Toronto on Friday, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touted the refund as support for Canadians who need it most.
Minister Freeland maintained that this money will be able to alleviate the impact of inflation.
Inflation this year reached levels not seen for forty years; the annual inflation rate reached 6.9% in September.
The Canada Revenue Agency says people who were already eligible for the GST rebate should have received the one-time benefit by direct deposit Friday into their bank account.
If the payment has not been made, the CRA asks to wait up to 10 days before contacting them.