Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Budget to include rebate to help with groceries

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Mar, 2023 10:09 AM
  • Budget to include rebate to help with groceries

OTTAWA - A federal source says Tuesday's budget will extend the temporary boost to the GST rebate for low-income Canadians, but will frame the payment as help with the rising cost of groceries.

The government official, who was granted anonymity to discuss matters that will not be public until the budget is released, said it will also include an increase to the withdrawal limit for a registered education savings plan from $5,000 to $8,000.

The measures, which will be part of the federal government's plan to help with affordability in the budget, were first reported by CBC News.

The grocery rebate is not expected to be tied to actual grocery bills and is instead set to be administered through the GST rebate system.

It would provide up to $234 for a single person with no children, $467 for a couple with two children and $225 for a senior citizen, the same amounts as the government offered with the temporary doubling of the GST rebate last fall.

The NDP had called on the federal government to extend the measure.

In the lead up to the budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has promised targeted inflation relief for low-income Canadians.

"In the weeks to come, for those Canadians who feel the bite of rising prices the most acutely, for our most vulnerable friends and neighbours, our government will deliver additional, targeted inflation relief," Freeland said in Oshawa, Ont. last Monday.

The expected GST rebate aims to help low-income Canadians squeezed by the rapidly rising cost of groceries. In February, grocery prices were 10.6 per cent higher than they were a year ago.

The Liberals are also expected to outline their plans to go after hidden or unexpected fees — called "junk fees" — tacked on to the price of goods and services.

In addition to help with the cost of living, Freeland has signalled the budget will include measures to keep Canada competitive amid the clean economic transition.

Several sources, whom The Canadian Press granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the budget, said there will be "significant" new tax credits for the green economy.

That includes tax credits to spur growth in both critical mineral production and the electric vehicle supply chain.

The Liberals' fall economic update had promised tax credits for hydrogen production and clean electricity already.

Both promised bigger tax credits to companies that pay fair wages and have apprenticeship training. Such incentives were inspired by the United States Inflation Reduction Act and have never been used in Canada before.

But the government is likely to include similar incentives on most new tax credits promised for clean energy going forward.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada weighs new submarines as allies push ahead

Canada weighs new submarines as allies push ahead
The Royal Canadian Navy launched a push to replace the country's four Victoria-class submarines nearly two years ago by creating a special team to figure out what Canada needs in a new fleet. The move came in response to growing concerns about the age of Canada's existing submarines and the amount of time needed to design and build such vessels.

Canada weighs new submarines as allies push ahead

NDP wants Liberals to expand GST rebate in budget

NDP wants Liberals to expand GST rebate in budget
Party leader Jagmeet Singh said he expects to see money in the budget to expand dental care coverage to teens, seniors and people living with a disability, which was part of the confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals.

NDP wants Liberals to expand GST rebate in budget

A look at vehicle-ramming cases in Canada

A look at vehicle-ramming cases in Canada
Two people are dead and nine others are injured after a pickup truck ran into multiple pedestrians in the eastern Quebec community of Amqui on Monday, with police alleging the driver acted deliberately and with premeditation. Here's a look at some other vehicle-ramming cases in Canada in recent years:    

A look at vehicle-ramming cases in Canada

Body found after shots fired in Surrey, B.C.

Body found after shots fired in Surrey, B.C.
A statement from Surrey RCMP says the body was discovered as officers were called to the Grandview Heights neighbourhood just before 8 p.m. Monday. Police say the unnamed victim appeared to have been shot. The case has been turned over to IHIT. 

Body found after shots fired in Surrey, B.C.

Feds invest in safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians along Surrey’s King George Boulevard

Feds invest in safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians along Surrey’s King George Boulevard
Pedestrian safety measures and protected cycling infrastructure will be put in place between 96th and 108th avenues. Planned pedestrian safety improvements include wider sidewalks, curb extensions, new crosswalks and accessible curb ramps. 

Feds invest in safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians along Surrey’s King George Boulevard

Two pedestrians killed in Quebec crash: police

Two pedestrians killed in Quebec crash: police
Sgt. Hélène St-Pierre said the 38-year-old driver, a local resident, turned himself in to police and was arrested under suspicion of committing a fatal hit and run. One man who died was in his 60s, and the other was in his 70s.    

Two pedestrians killed in Quebec crash: police