‘We need permanent fixes’: Ottawa Liberal MPP criticizes Ford gov’t rebate cheques

Ontario residents are about to pocket some extra money, and that’s thanks to the provincial taxpayer rebate. It’s a move the province says is aimed at helping with the high cost of living.

“Good news for Ontario families! Starting today Ontario Taxpayer Rebate cheques are in the mail,” Premier Doug Ford confirmed in a video posted to social media Friday morning. In a statement, the province cited the federal carbon tax, high interest rates, and global economic uncertainty as justification for the payments. The rebates will cost the government $3 billion.

Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says, “(The province’s) revenues were higher, it’s the taxpayer’s money, and many people are struggling to pay the bills, so we thought it was very important to put some money – their money, taxpayers’ money – back at a time when we’re at financial strength and when families could use a few extra dollars."

John Fraser, the Liberal MPP for Ottawa South, says the money should be used in other ways to benefit Ontario residents. “Right now, at the Ottawa Hospital, they’re thinking of setting up to treat people in gymnasiums... 166,000 people in Ottawa can’t find a family doctor, 2.5 million in Ontario, but $200 doesn’t fix those things for those people.”

Ontario resident Jolie Carriere is looking forward to the rebate and says, “I’m on ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) and this is going to help me greatly with food.” Carriere lives with chronic pain and had to give up her job as dog groomer. “It’s so expensive, groceries just cost me $236 – and I don’t have very much.”

The $200 Taxpayer Rebate cheques are being sent to Ontario residents 18 years and older who filed their 2023 tax return by the end of last year. These rebates will only be going out by mail, not direct deposit.

“We don’t often get a lot of checks in the mail,” says Fraser, “but Doug Ford really wants you to know that he’s a good guy, and you should vote for him.”

Fraser adds the rebate only offers a short-term fix.

“It’s temporary, and what we need (are) permanent fixes. We need to be working to make sure every Ontarian has a family doctor. We need to make sure that our schools are the best. We don’t need temporary fixes because the premier wants an election.”

Opposition leaders are criticizing Ford’s move to mail out rebate cheques, and many speculate he will call an early provincial election instead of waiting until the next scheduled election date in June 2026.

Ford said this week, in the face of U.S. tariff threats, that he would need a mandate to spend billions of dollars to boost Ontario’s economy.

Ontario residents can expect to receive the cheques in the next couple of weeks.