Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Jileen Straw Bag Buy Now
Women's Stretch High Waist Ruched Bodycon Buy Now
Rihero Women's Leather Sandals Buy Now
Tangle-Free Jump Rope for Fitness Buy Now
Floral Net Saree Buy Now
Ripped Regular Fit Jeans Buy Now
Bronax Pillow Slippers Buy Now
Chantomoo Women's Corduroy Slippers Buy Now
Straight Leg Jeans for Women Buy Now
Basics Household Tool Kit With Storage Case Buy Now
Water Proof Digital Timer Shower Clock for Bathroom Kitchen Buy Now
BOOMCOOL Men's Gym Outfit Set Buy Now
Women's Cotton Modal Pajama Set Buy Now
JMIERR Men's Casual Shorts Buy Now
Hair Bonnet for Sleeping Hair Buy Now
Gildan Cotton T-Shirt Pack, Style G2000 Buy Now
Womens High Waist Yoga Pants Cutout Ripped Leggings Buy Now
Minimalist Fashion Simple Wrist Watch Buy Now
J.VER Men's Dress Shirts Buy Now
Cleaning Gel for Car, Tools, Laptop and Keyboard Cleaner Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
CRA reversed $246M in pandemic benefit debts after thousands contested eligibility status

CRA reversed $246M in pandemic benefit debts after thousands contested eligibility status

CBC
Monday, May 6, 2024 10:11 AM GMT

The government has had to cancel at least $246 million in debts for thousands of Canadians it initially claimed had received pandemic benefits for which they weren't eligible.

Since 2022, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been collecting money from Canadians the government says received benefits — such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) — in error.

The government has been withholding tax refunds and other benefits in an effort to recoup money sent to individuals it says were ineligible for the funds they received. The CRA told CBC News that at the end of last year, it had collected roughly $1.8 billion in erroneous pandemic benefit payments.

But many Canadians have disputed the government's assessment of their eligibility for those benefits and hundreds have even taken the government to court.

The CRA told CBC News that as of April, it has reversed the debts of roughly 27,000 individuals who originally had been deemed ineligible but later had their eligibility verified.

Those figures only include pandemic benefits that were administered by the CRA. A portion of the CERB program was administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC); that department told CBC News it doesn't track how many benefit debts it has reversed.

Cris Best, a Toronto tax lawyer, said he's not surprised by the number of debt cancellations that have been issued. He said he's heard from several Canadians who believe they've been unfairly targeted by eligibility reviews.

"There's no doubt in my mind that there's a lot of inconsistency," he said.

Canadians who have received a notice from the government stating that their eligibility has been revoked are able to ask for two reviews of their case. After that point, their only recourse is through the courts.

Best said it's extremely difficult to argue a case with the CRA once an initial decision has been made because there is "a reverse onus in tax law."

"You're essentially guilty before innocent," he said.

"The CRA can essentially assume facts, which is what they do, and then the taxpayer bears the burden to disprove those facts … It's not a very fair fight."

Jason Harth said he experienced the difficulty of dealing with the CRA when trying to help his daughter argue her case.

"It was a muck," he said of the process.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Sask. MMA fighter 'Big Game' Hunter Lee has sights set on UFC

Saskatoon mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter 'Big Game' Hunter Lee is stalking his prey all the way to Florida.

Sask.'s new privacy commissioner on her office's role in an era of AI

Saskatchewan's new information and privacy commissioner says a life-long passion for serving as a check on government power will help her excel in the new role.

Annexation blues: Residents in Edmonton's future growth area grapple with growing pains

Nearly six years after Edmonton's biggest annexation in decades, residents who live in what the city calls its future growth area are anxious about what is to come. 

Victoria, Saanich to work on amalgation question for next municipal election

The municipalities of Victoria and Saanich have taken steps towards amalgamation this week, with councillors in the capital city directing staff to work with Saanich staff to put together a short question that would be added to the ballot in the October 2026 local elections. 

No online voting in Hamilton's next municipal elections, says council, despite staff's recommendation

After lively discussion from Hamilton city councillors on Wednesday about the pros and cons of online voting, they decided it won't be used in upcoming elections.

Pedestrian taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being hit by vehicle in Windsor

Police say a woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision Thursday afternoon in the area of Tecumseh Road East and Princess Avenue in Windsor.

Highway 2 expansion through Red Deer wetland prompts conservation concerns

The provincial government is expanding Alberta's busiest highway, but some are worried wetlands near Red Deer will be lost to make way for the widened route. 

Federal agency launches revised growth strategy for northern Ontario

The federal government has launched its newly-revised Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario, a document that aims to address the region's economic challenges and opportunities over the next five years.

Rare black bear sighting in Erin, Ont., prompts safety warning from police

A small black bear has been spotted in Erin, Ont., prompting a warning from police.

Charlottetown hospital ER is keeping pace with influx of tourists so far this season, official says

An administrator at P.E.I.'s largest hospital says staff have been able to keep up with the surge of tourists who need to seek medical care after arriving on the Island, despite longtime strains on the health-care system.

Yukon government plans repair work on Teslin River Bridge

The Government of Yukon is seeking approval to repair damage on the Teslin River Bridge near Johnsons Crossing.

Poilievre tweaks his tone and strategy as he faces must-win byelection, leadership review

Pierre Poilievre was feeling dejected and disappointed after the stinging federal election loss in April, sources close to the Conservative leader said, and he dialed back his public appearances for the better part of two months to reassess his strategy and regroup.

Step-grandmother of missing N.S. kids recalls hearing their voices, followed by 'nothing'

Janie Mackenzie was asleep in her trailer when she awoke to the sound of her dog barking, a telltale sign her two young step-grandchildren were out playing on a swingset in the backyard.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Tourism businesses in Hay River, N.W.T., question gov't priorities with new building project

A longtime business owner in Hay River, N.W.T., is raising concerns about a new government-funded building going up at the town's main beach, a place she says has become mostly unusable after floods and fires in recent years.

Former Afghan interpreter details alleged sexual abuse by Global Affairs employee

WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

'It's a paperweight now': Why the Mounties' ban of popular rifle led to so much pushback

When it comes to Canada's often tense debate around gun laws, most Canadians likely will not have heard of an RCMP database called the Firearms Reference Table, or FRT.

Aid groups rally to help First Nations facing mass food spoilage after northwestern Ontario outages

Aid organizations are ramping up efforts to replenish supplies after power outages across half a dozen First Nations in northwestern Ontario led to mass food spoilage.

2 P.E.I. women dead in southeastern N.B. crash

Two Prince Edward Island women are dead following a single-vehicle crash on Thursday on Route 15 near Shediac.

Mosquitos in Toronto test positive for West Nile virus, but city says risk of infection is low

Toronto Public Health has confirmed some mosquitos in the city have tested positive for West Nile virus, but say the risk of infection is low if precautions are taken.

Tribunal sides with disabled woman denied ultrasound at Calgary clinic

An Alberta woman who filed a human rights complaint after being turned away at a clinic for an ultrasound says she hopes her recent win paves the way for better accommodations for disabled patients.

19-year-old arrested in connection to overdose death of 14-year-old

A 19-year-old St. John's man has been charged with manslaughter in connection to an overdose of youth from four months ago.

Carrying Experience, Swinging with Purpose: a pro caddie's shot at the Idylwylde Men's Invitational

For the first time in 21 years, Kurt Kowaluk is back in his hometown of Sudbury, Ont., for the Men's Idywylde Golf Invitational.

Florenceville Bridge to close for 5 weekends, starting Friday night and spread over 3 months

Only one local bridge remains for Florenceville-Bristol residents who need to drive across the St. John River, and now that bridge will see some full weekend closures starting this weekend.

Montreal not required to pay back $1M to recycling company Ricova

Quebec's Court of Appeal has reversed a lower court's decision requiring the City of Montreal to reimburse $1 million to recycling company Ricova after the company failed to fulfill its contract with the borough of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (CDN-NDG) in 2017.

Manitoba needs more fire rangers to keep communities safe from future risks, chief says

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us