Small businesses in Airdrie will soon receive federal carbon rebate payments ranging from $200 to $3,300. The payments will be disbursed by mid-December 2024 and cover proceeds collected from the federal fuel charge between 2019 and 2024.
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Eligible businesses—those with 1 to 499 employees and registered with the Canada Revenue Agency—will receive these funds automatically; no application is necessary. The rebate aims to offset costs from the federal carbon pricing system, providing much-needed relief for local enterprises.
Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses
The Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses program is designed to return a portion of the federal fuel charge collected over the past five fiscal years to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). For Airdrie businesses, this means financial support when operational costs are rising due to inflation and energy prices. By helping businesses adapt to carbon pricing, the rebate encourages companies to adopt greener practices without incurring unbearable financial strain.
Rebates will be determined based on a business's size, number of employees, and fuel consumption. While companies with larger workforces or higher energy needs are expected to receive more substantial payments, even small enterprises will benefit from these rebates.
Alberta has been subject to the federal fuel charge since 2019, and this rebate returns some of the collected funds directly to impacted businesses. For Airdrie, a city known for its entrepreneurial spirit and small business growth, this is a vital measure in maintaining economic stability while transitioning toward more sustainable operations.
Other Payments for Residents
In addition to the business rebate program, residents of Airdrie can expect individual benefits this month. The Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR), formerly known as the Climate Action Incentive Payment, will be paid out on October 15 for individuals. This is also the last payment date for this benefit in 2024.
While the Government of Canada will increase the CCR rural supplement from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, this will not impact Airdrie residents, as the city is part of the Calgary Metropolitan Area, which is excluded from the supplement. Other areas within the CMA not eligible for the supplement include Beiseker, Calgary, Chestermere, Cochrane, Crossfield, Irricana, Rocky View County, and Tsuu T'ina Nation 145.
The CCR helps offset federal pollution pricing costs. Residents of small and rural communities can claim the rural supplement by ticking a box on their tax return. Alberta's quarterly base is $225 for individuals and $45 for the rural supplement.
GST/HST Credit and Advanced Canada Workers Benefit
The Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit will be paid out first in October, with an expected payment date of October 4, marking the last payment date for this benefit for 2024. According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the GST/HST tax credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset the GST or HST they pay.
The CRA determines your GST/HST credit based on your adjusted family net income and the number of children under 19. If you're single, your income from line 23600 of your tax return is used; your income is combined if you have a spouse or common-law partner. For the 2023 base year (July 2024 to June 2025), you could receive up to $519 if you're single, $680 if married or in a common-law relationship, and $179 per child under 19. You're automatically considered for the credit when you file your taxes.
The Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) will also be paid out on October 11, which is the last payment for 2024 for this benefit. It is a refundable tax credit for low-income individuals and families, consisting of a basic amount and a disability supplement. Maximum CWB amounts are:
- $1,518 for singles, reduced if income exceeds $24,975 (no payment if over $35,095).
- $2,616 for families, reduced if income exceeds $28,494 (no payment if over $45,934).
- The disability supplement provides up to $784, reduced for singles with income over $35,098 and families over $45,932.
Canada Child Benefit
Lastly, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will be the final benefit paid out on October 18. The CRA administers the Alberta Child and Family Benefit, a Canada Child Benefit (CCB) related program, on behalf of the Alberta provincial government.
Payments are adjusted monthly based on the number and age of children in your care and your adjusted family net income (AFNI) from the previous tax year. For the July 2024 to June 2025 period, families with an AFNI under $36,502 receive the maximum benefit:
- $7,787 annually ($648.91/month) for children under 6.
- $6,570 annually ($547.50/month) for children aged 6 to 17.
Payments decrease gradually if your AFNI exceeds $36,502, and they change based on children's birthdays or when they turn 18.
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