Today, Bill C-46, the Cost of Living Act, No. 3, received Royal Assent. This legislation delivers new inflation relief to the Canadians who need it most through the new Grocery Rebate, and strengthens public health care with a $2 billion Canada Health Transfer (CHT) top-up to help reduce backlogs and wait times, and support pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms.
The new one-time Grocery Rebate will deliver targeted inflation relief for 11 million low- and modest-income Canadians and families who need it most, with up to an extra $467 for eligible couples with two children; up to an extra $234 for single Canadians without children; and an extra $225 for seniors, on average. The Grocery Rebate will be delivered to eligible Canadians on July 5, 2023, by direct deposit or cheque through the Canada Revenue Agency.
The Cost of Living Act, No. 3, also delivers the previously announced $2 billion CHT top-up, to help provinces and territories deliver the high quality and timely health care Canadians expect and deserve. This additional top-up will help alleviate immediate pressures in health care systems across the country.
This additional $2 billion CHT top-up builds on previous CHT top-ups totaling $6.5 billion provided throughout the pandemic, and is part of the federal government's $198.3 billion plan to improve health care for Canadians. Provinces and territories must not use any of this funding to divert any of their own spending on health care. Provinces and territories are also expected to improve how health information is collected, shared, used, and reported to Canadians to help manage public health emergencies and deliver better health outcomes.
