Ontario taxpayers are set to obtain $200 cheques within the mail early subsequent 12 months, a $3-billion plan the premier suggests will not be tied to a potential early election — although the opposition leaders have their doubts
TORONTO — Ontario taxpayers are set to obtain $200 cheques within the mail early subsequent 12 months, a $3-billion plan the premier suggests will not be tied to a potential early election — although the opposition leaders have their doubts.
Premier Doug Ford and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy made the announcement Tuesday, a day forward of the province’s fall financial assertion, which serves as a mini finances.
Everybody who filed 2023 tax returns ought to anticipate to obtain a $200 cheque, plus a further $200 per youngster, Ford mentioned.
“These $200 rebates will make an enormous distinction for households throughout the province, with cheques arriving early within the new 12 months,” he mentioned.
“That is cash that households can use to repay their bank card after the vacations, to purchase a winter coat for his or her children, or to cowl the price of gassing up the household automotive to make up for the price of the Liberal carbon tax.”
The announcement comes as Ford has refused to rule out the opportunity of an election earlier than the subsequent mounted date of June 2026, and whereas he has mentioned he is not going to name one this 12 months, opposition events are getting ready for a potential spring contest.
The 2 aren’t associated, Ford recommended, saying his authorities has been on the lookout for methods to save lots of Ontarians cash all alongside, together with on transit fares, a gasoline tax minimize and licence plate renewal charges. He then went on to assault the Liberals.
“They’d improve taxes, take cash out of your pockets,” he mentioned, concluding his reply by saying the Liberals and NDP are “principally the identical occasion.”
Liberal Chief Bonnie Crombie mentioned she is going to donate her $200 cheque to the occasion because it gears up for a potential early election. She didn’t mince phrases on what she known as a money-giving “gimmick.”
“The premier is trying to bribe Ontarians with their very own cash,” she mentioned.
New Democrat Chief Marit Stiles mentioned the cheques don’t present any long-lasting assist.
“I believe lots of people are struggling proper now, however a one-time cost proper earlier than an election is not going to unravel the affordability disaster for Ontarians,” she mentioned.
Inexperienced Occasion Chief Mike Schreiner mentioned it does not make sense to dole out this cash with none means testing.
“It’s ridiculous that millionaires and billionaires like Galen Weston are getting a $200 cheque when so many Ontarians cannot afford a spot to dwell tonight,” he mentioned.
Many homeless individuals is not going to get the cheques as a result of they have not filed tax returns, mentioned Lorraine Lam, an outreach employee in downtown Toronto.
“As soon as once more Ford doesn’t think about the wants of a few of the most susceptible,” Lam mentioned.
“There are people who find themselves unhoused and precariously housed who do not need entry to the helps they should get annual taxes achieved on time.”
Ford defended sending the cheques to millionaires and even billionaires.
“They’re taxpayers,” he mentioned. “These are tax {dollars} going again to the taxpayers, and we’ll give it again to each single individual in Ontario. And if they’ve a toddler, they’re getting a further $200 as a result of life’s too costly proper now.”
Ford and Bethlenfalvy mentioned the federal government can afford to ship out $3 billion price of cheques now due to higher-than-expected revenues, together with as a result of impression of inflation on provincial gross sales tax cash in authorities coffers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Oct. 29, 2024.
Allison Jones and Liam Casey, The Canadian Press
