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Ford says $200 checks will be mailed to all Ontario taxpayers at a cost of $3B Achi-News

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Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.

TORONTO – Ontario taxpayers are set to receive $200 checks in the mail early next year, a $3-billion plan the premier suggests is unrelated to a possible early election – though opposition leaders have their doubts .

Premier Doug Ford and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy made the announcement Tuesday, a day before the province’s fall economic statement, which serves as a mini-budget.

Everyone who filed 2023 tax returns should expect to receive a $200 check, plus an additional $200 per child, Ford said.

“These $200 rebates will make a big difference to families across the state, with checks arriving early in the new year,” he said.

“That’s money that families can use to pay off their credit card after the holidays, to buy a winter coat for their children, or to pay for the cost of gassing up the family car to offset the cost of the Liberal carbon tax.”

The announcement comes as Ford has refused to rule out the possibility of an election earlier than the next set date of June 2026, and although he has said he will not call one this year, the opposition parties are preparing for possible spring showdown.

The two are not related, Ford suggested, saying his government has been looking for ways to save Ontarians money all along, including on travel fares, a gas tax cut and license plate renewal fees. He then proceeded to attack the Liberals.

“They would increase taxes, take money out of your pockets,” he said, concluding his answer by saying that the Liberals and the NDP are “basically the same party.”

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said she will donate her $200 check to the party as it prepares for a possible early election. She did not mince words on what she called a “gimmick” of donating money.

“The premier is trying to bribe Ontarians with their own money,” he said.

New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles said the checks provide no lasting help.

“I think a lot of people are struggling right now, but a one-time payment right before an election is not going to solve the affordability crisis for Ontarians,” he said.

The Leader of the Green Party, Mike Schreiner, said that it does not make sense to spend this money without any means test.

“It’s ridiculous that millionaires and billionaires like Galen Weston get a $200 check when so many Ontarians can’t afford a place to live tonight,” he said.

Ford defended sending the checks to millionaires and even billionaires.

“They are taxpayers,” he said. “These are tax dollars that go back to the taxpayers, and we’re going to give it back to every single person in Ontario. And if they have a child, they get an extra $200 because life is too expensive right now. “

Ford and Bethlenfalvy said the government can afford to send $3 billion worth of checks now because of higher-than-expected revenue, including the impact of inflation on provincial sales tax money in government coffers.

This report was first published by The Canadian Press on October 29, 2024.

(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://canadanewsmedia.ca/ford-says-200-cheques-will-be-mailed-to-each-ontario-taxpayer-at-a-cost-of-3b/

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