When will drivers get their ICBC rebates? An updated timeline
Some British Columbians won’t be getting provincial rebates meant to offset soaring gas prices until the end of July, according to ICBC.
Premier John Horgan announced the one-time payment on March 25, soon after prices rose above 200 cents per litre. People whose vehicles are for personal use will be getting $110, while commercial vehicles are entitled to $165.
Since then, there has been little relief, as the cost of filling up has continued to climb and continued to break records.
In all, the province said rebates would be coming to 3.5 million policy-holders. So far, 24,000 rebates have been issued to people who set up direct deposit with the insurer. An additional 575,000 are expected to be issued as refunds to credit cards "in the coming weeks," an ICBC spokesperson said in an email to CTV News Saturday.
"Starting in June," those who pay ICBC using debit, cash, cheque, or payment can start to look out for a rebate cheque in the mail.
"We expect to have all cheques mailed to customers by the end of July," the email from ICBC said.
This appears to be a modification to the timeline provided by the province back in March.
"All other customers will receive cheques in June," the announcement from the province read.
The insurer is also reminding people that any text messages or emails instructing people to click a link to receive their refund are "a scam."
While gas prices in Vancouver have dropped since reaching their high of 233.9 cents per litre earlier this month, drivers in the region are still seeing the highest prices in the country.
The BC Liberals have slammed this rebate as too little too late, calling for other measures to give drivers some relief. They propose temporarily freezing the provincial gas taxes and providing a one-time rebate through the Climate Action Tax Credit, which would be issued July 5. They're also calling for a suspension of a 25-cent so-called "hidden import" tax on gas brought to B.C. from Alberta.
High prices across the province have led to calls for free transit over the summer months, when prices are predicted to reach 250 cents per litre.
They've also led to many Canadians choosing to go south of the border to fill up. Along with residents, local charities are struggling with the soaring cost of gas, with some worried they might have to cut programs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.