The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, is pleased to advise that 96 per cent of the initial 392,000 cost of living relief cheques have now been mailed to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador; and is thanking public service employees for their hard work in ensuring people received their cheques before Christmas.
Cheques were mailed to eligible residents based on their address on file with the Canada Revenue Agency as of June 2022. Cheques will continue to be mailed as more residents late file their 2021 tax returns. Those who file between October 1 and December 31, 2022, will receive their cheques once we receive the required information from Canada Revenue Agency. Residents who have not yet filed their 2021 Newfoundland and Labrador tax return are reminded that the deadline is December 31, 2022.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced on October 5, 2022 that it was issuing a one-time cost of living relief cheque of up to $500 to residents of the province who have reached the age of 18 years old as of December 31, 2022 and who filed a 2021 tax return with an adjusted income of $125,000 or less.
Those with adjusted income of less than $100,000 will receive $500 and those with adjusted income between $100,000 and $125,000 will receive a partial payment ranging between $250 and $500.
This one-time benefit is estimated to cost $194 million and is part of $430 million in targeted short and long term investments since March 2022 to help residents with the cost of living.
More information on the initiative is available online at One-Time Cost of Living Relief.
If you have additional questions, please telephone Tax Administration Division at 1-877-729-6376. Please wait two weeks before calling to question the status of your cheque to allow time for Canada Post delivery. We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and appreciate your patience.
Quote
“I’m pleased to advise that the one-time cost of living relief cheques have now been sent to the majority of eligible residents in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is a coordinated effort involving many public service employees throughout government who are working hard to get the cheques mailed out to residents before Christmas. Please be patient and kind to those working on the frontlines. This is quite a substantive program to help with the cost of living, and is one of the many we have implemented, including the home heating supplement, the temporary reduction of the provincial tax on gasoline, and increases to the income supplement and seniors’ benefit.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance
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BACKGROUNDER
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Cost of Living Investments
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has announced $430 million in targeted short- and long-term investments since March 2022 to help residents with the cost of living, including:
Short-term:
- One-time cost of living relief up to $500 for residents of the province who have reached the age of 18 years as of December 31, 2022 and who filed a 2021 tax return with an adjusted income of $125,000 or less;
- Temporarily lowering the price at the pump by 8.05 cents per litre (includes HST) to March 31, 2023. This is possible through a reduction in the provincial tax on gasoline and diesel by 7 cents per litre;
- Home heating supplement program (now closed for applications). The supplement ranged between $200 and $500, was available to residents of the province whose adjusted family income for 2021 was $150,000 or less and had directly incurred costs for the purchase of furnace or stove oil to heat their home;
- In April 2022, provided a one-time benefit for those receiving income support ($5 million);
- Elimination of the 15 per cent retail sales tax on home insurance ($37.8 million); and,
- 50 per cent reduction in registration fees for passenger vehicles, light duty trucks and taxis for one year ($27 million).
Transition:
- Funding for electric vehicle rebates and charging infrastructure ($1.9 million);
- Funding to help homes transition from oil to electricity ($2 million);
- Three increases to the minimum wage based on the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Review Committee:
- On October 1, 2022 the minimum wage increased by 50 cents, bringing it to $13.70 per hour;
- On April 1, 2023, the minimum wage will increase by 80 cents bringing the rate to $14.50 per hour; and,
- On October 1, 2023, the minimum wage will increase by 50 cents, bringing it to $15.00 per hour.
- A one-year transitional support program for smaller employers at a cost of approximately $5 million.
Long-term:
- 10 per cent increase to the Income Supplement ($6.8 million);
- 10 per cent increase to the Seniors’ Benefit ($6.5 million);
- Lower child care costs from an average of $35 per day in 2020, to $25 in 2021, to $10 a day starting in January 2023 ($46 million);
- An increase in the Pre-Natal Infant Nutrition Supplement ($0.3 million);
- Physical Activity Tax Credit (estimated $7.0 million); and,
- Expansion of the Bus Pass Program to seniors over age 65 who are receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement and youth receiving services from the Youth Services Program ($2.1 million).
