Grocery Rebate Bill C-46: In 2023, food prices in Canada went up a lot, making it hard for many people to afford groceries. To help, the government made a special one-time payment called the Grocery Rebate Bill C-46. It gave money to people with low or medium incomes to make things a bit easier. This article explains what the rebate was, who got it, how much they got, and why it mattered in simple terms.
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What Was the Grocery Rebate Bill C-46?
The Grocery Rebate was a one-time payment from the government to help people who were struggling because food cost so much. It came out on July 5, 2023, and was part of a bigger plan called the Cost of Living Act (Bill C-46). The idea was to give quick money to people who needed it most, without making them fill out extra forms. If you already got the GST/HST credit (a tax refund for low-income people), you got this rebate too.
Also Read: $2,455 OAS Payment in February 2025: Key Details for Seniors
Chart: Simple Facts About the Grocery Rebate Bill C-46
| What It’s About | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Grocery Rebate Bill C-46 |
| Why It Happened | To help with high food prices |
| When It Came Out | July 5, 2023 |
| Who Got It | People who got the GST/HST credit in Jan 2023 |
| How Much Money | Up to $628, depending on your family |
| How It Was Given | Sent to your bank or by cheque |
| Where to Learn More | Canada Revenue Agency (Canada.ca) |
Who Could Get the Grocery Rebate?
You could get the rebate if you:
- Got the GST/HST credit in January 2023.
- Filed your 2021 taxes (they looked at your income from that year).
- Had a low or medium income that fit the GST/HST credit rules.
You didn’t need to apply—it came automatically if you qualified.
How Much Money Did People Get?
The amount depended on your family. It was double the GST/HST credit you got in January 2023. Here’s what people could get:
- For Single People:
- No kids: $234
- 1 kid: $387
- 2 kids: $467
- 3 kids: $548
- 4 kids: $628
- For Married or Common-Law Couples:
- No kids: $306
- 1 kid: $387
- 2 kids: $467
- 3 kids: $548
- 4 kids: $628
The money was sent straight to your bank or by cheque from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
How to Check If You Got It
If you’re not sure if you got the rebate, here’s what to do:
- Go Online: Log in to your My CRA Account on the Canada Revenue Agency website.
- Look at Payments: Check the “Benefits and Credits” part to see if you got money on July 5, 2023.
- Make Sure You Filed Taxes: They used your 2021 taxes to decide if you qualify. If you didn’t file, call the CRA to ask about it.
If you think you should’ve gotten it but didn’t, talk to the CRA.
Why the Grocery Rebate Helped
Food prices went up a lot in 2022—about 9% more than the year before. Things like milk, meat, and veggies got really expensive. For people with less money or seniors who don’t earn much, this made life tough. The Grocery Rebate gave them extra cash to buy food, even if it was just for a little while.
Did It Make a Big Difference?
About 11 million Canadians got the rebate, so it helped a lot of people buy groceries without stressing as much. Experts say this kind of help works better than lowering taxes for everyone because it goes straight to people who need it most. But since it was only one payment, it didn’t fix everything. Some say the government needs bigger plans, like making food cheaper in the long run.
Will There Be Another Rebate?
Right now (early 2025), the government hasn’t said if there’ll be another Grocery Rebate in 2024 or later. They’re watching how prices change, though. If food keeps getting more expensive, they might do something else to help. Check Canada.ca sometimes to see if there’s new news about money programs.
Also Read: CRA Benefit Payment Schedules for 2025: Key Dates and Eligibility Explained
Wrapping Up
The Grocery Rebate Bill C-46 was a quick way to help Canadians when food prices got too high in 2023. It gave up to $628 to people who needed it, like families and seniors with less money. Even though it was just one payment, it showed the government wanted to help when things got tough.
To stay ready, make sure your taxes are filed and check your CRA account for any updates. The rebate was small, but it made a difference for many people trying to afford food. You can visit Canada.ca to learn more about other money help programs.
