Ontario $200 taxpayer checks go out

The Ontario government has started issuing $200 checks to taxpayers in a move it says is aimed at addressing the high cost of living.

“A lot of people are struggling to pay the bills,” Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said in an interview on CP24 Breakfast. “So we thought it was very important to put some money, their money, the taxpayers’ money, back at a time when we have financial strength and where people could use, families could use a few extra dollars.”

In a statement, the province cited “the federal carbon tax, high interest rates and global economic uncertainty” as reasons for the rebates.

Checks are mailed to eligible Ontario residents. That includes people who were residents of Ontario and were at least 18 years old by the end of 2023. To qualify, you must also have filed your tax return for 2023 before the end of last year. Those who were bankrupt or incarcerated in 2024 are not eligible.

Families who qualify for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will also receive a separate check of $200 for each eligible child under the age of 18.

Premier Doug Ford announced the rebates back in October. Sending them out will cost the provincial government $3 billion.

Opposition leaders have criticized the move as a “gimmick” to bribe voters with their own money. Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie said when the controls were announced that cutting income tax would provide more meaningful relief.

Speculation is growing for early elections

The checks walk out as speculation grows that Ford will call an early election for Ontario rather than wait until the next scheduled election date in June 2026. He said this week that in light of tariff threats from President-elect Donald Trump, would he need a mandate to spend billions of dollars to strengthen Ontario’s economy.

Speaking about the tariff threat Friday, Bethlenfalvy said “all options” are on the table when it comes to Ontario’s response.

“We’re coming from a position of strength. But fundamentally, our job is to protect Ontarians, their jobs, the businesses, the families. And we’re going to use every tool at our disposal. Every option is on the table,” he said.

Asked why the government would need a new mandate if they have a strong majority at Queen’s Park, Bethenfalvy charged that the government might have to renege on a promise to balance its books to respond to potential tariffs.

“Well it’s their (taxpayer’s) money,” he said. “And you know, where we have a path to balance, if we’re going to respond to what might happen, I think it’s fair to say, ‘hey, you know, what are we going to do with your money?’

He noted that his party was running on the budget he presented back in 2022. In the autumn economic statement in October, the government said it expected to balance the books by the 2026-27 financial year.

Spending billions of dollars to stimulate a tariff-hammered Ontario economy would likely change that math.

Bethenfalvy said he has met with finance ministers from other provinces to discuss the tariff threats and that they are taking them “extremely seriously.”

Still, he said Ontario has a number of strengths if things escalate. He pointed to critical minerals, energy and the fact that so many US states count Canada as their largest export market.

The province said residents can track their checks online to see when they arrive.