Key Takeaway Box
- The federal government announced a series of new measures to lower energy bills for Canadians, including a temporary pause on the fuel charge on deliveries of heating oil, a doubling of the rural top-up for pollution pricing rebates, and a free heat pump for low- to median-income Canadians.
- The electric bill rebate Canada is part of the pollution pricing rebate system, also known as the Climate Action Incentive payment, which returns the direct proceeds from the federal pollution price to the jurisdiction from which they were collected.
- The electric bill rebate Canada amounts vary by province and household size, but a family of four can expect to receive between $184 and $386 in 2024, depending on where they live and whether they are in a small and rural community or not.
- The electric bill rebate Canada payments are made quarterly, with the first payment of the year arriving on January 15, 2024. Eligible residents can claim the rebate when they file their income tax and benefit return.
Electric Bill Rebate Canada Overview
If you are looking for ways to save money on your electricity bill, you may be interested in the electric bill rebate Canada program. This program is part of the federal government’s approach to pollution pricing, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change by putting a price on carbon.
The electric bill rebate Canada program, also known as the Climate Action Incentive payment, returns the direct proceeds from the federal pollution price to the jurisdiction from which they were collected. This means that if you live in a province where the federal fuel charge applies, you will receive a rebate that helps you with the cost of living while keeping the incentive to pollute less.
The electric bill rebate Canada program is not the only way the federal government is helping Canadians lower their energy bills. On October 26, 2023, the Prime Minister announced a series of new measures to provide more time and new support to help Canadians transition to cleaner, more affordable home heating options¹. These measures include:
- Temporarily pausing the fuel charge on deliveries of heating oil in all provinces and territories where it currently applies, effective November 9, 2023;
- Doubling the rural top-up for pollution pricing rebates from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, with increased payments to rural residents starting in April 2024;
- Making the average heat pump free for low- to median-income Canadians in provinces and territories that have agreed to support the delivery of enhanced federal heat pump grants; and,
- Incentivizing the switch to heat pumps with $250 upfront payments for low- to median-income Canadians.
These measures are expected to benefit about 1.1 million homes in Canada that use home heating oil, and help them save up to $261 this year on their heating costs¹.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- What Expenses Can You Deduct from Your Rental Income? (Updated 2024)
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- CPP, RRSP, TFSA, FHSA, AMT and OAS Changes: What You Need to Know for 2024
- What Happens to Your CPP and OAS Benefits When Your Spouse Dies?
- How to Get the Grocery Rebate Payments in Canada in January 2024
Electric Bill Rebate Canada Eligibility
To be eligible for the electric bill rebate Canada program, you must meet the following criteria²:
- You must be a resident of Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island. These are the provinces where the federal fuel charge applies. If you live in British Columbia, Quebec, Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut, you are not eligible for the federal rebate, but you may be eligible for provincial or territorial programs that are linked to the federal pollution pricing system.
- You must be 18 years of age or older, or have a spouse or common-law partner, or be a parent who lives with your child.
- You must file an income tax and benefit return for the year, even if you have no income to report.
You do not need to apply for the electric bill rebate Canada program. You can claim it when you file your income tax and benefit return. You can use the [Climate Action Incentive payment calculator] to estimate how much you will receive.
Electric Bill Rebate Canada Amounts
The electric bill rebate Canada amounts vary by province and household size. The table below shows the base amounts and the rural supplement amounts for each province for 2024².
| Province | First adult | Second adult | Each child | Family of four | Rural supplement |
| Alberta | $193 | $96.50 | $48.25 | $386 | 10% |
| Manitoba | $132 | $66 | $33 | $264 | 10% |
| Ontario | $122 | $61 | $30.50 | $244 | 10% |
| Saskatchewan | $170 | $85 | $42.50 | $340 | 10% |
| New Brunswick | $92 | $46 | $23 | $184 | 10% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $164 | $82 | $41 | $328 | 10% |
| Nova Scotia | $124 | $62 | $31 | $248 | 10% |
| Prince Edward Island | $120 | $60 | $30 | $240 | 20% |
As you can see, residents of small and rural communities receive an extra 10 percent supplement beyond the base amount, except for Prince Edward Island, where all residents are considered to be living in a small and rural community and receive a 20 percent supplement.
The electric bill rebate Canada amounts are based on the projected revenues from the federal pollution price for each province, and are subject to change as the price increases over time. The federal pollution price is set to increase by $15 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent each year until it reaches $170 per tonne in 2030¹.
Electric Bill Rebate Canada Dates
The electric bill rebate Canada payments are made quarterly, with the first payment of the year arriving on January 15, 2024². The payment schedule for 2024 is as follows:
| Quarter | Payment date |
| Q1 | January 15, 2024 |
| Q2 | April 15, 2024 |
| Q3 | July 15, 2024 |
| Q4 | October 15, 2024 |
You can receive your electric bill rebate Canada payment by direct deposit or by cheque. If you choose direct deposit, you will receive your payment faster and more securely. You can sign up for direct deposit through [My Account] or by contacting your financial institution.
Conclusion
The electric bill rebate Canada program is a great way to save money on your electricity bill while helping the environment. By claiming the rebate when you file your income tax and benefit return, you can receive up to $386 in 2024, depending on where you live and how many people are in your household. You can also benefit from the new measures announced by the federal government to lower your heating costs and switch to cleaner energy sources. If you have any questions about the electric bill rebate Canada program, you can visit the [Environment and Climate Change Canada website] or call 1-800-959-8281.
Source: (1) Lowering energy bills for Canadians across the country.