'It's just not fair': Retirees speak out on being excluded from federal rebate cheques

Carol Sheaves of Moncton, N.B., says it's not fair that retirees like her won't get the government's newly proposed rebate cheques. Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being eligible for the $250 government benefit.

Carol Sheaves, who has worked for five decades in Canada, says it's not fair that retirees like her won't get the government's newly proposed rebate cheques.

Although the 67-year-old woman from Moncton, N.B., considers the $250 payments "a freaking joke" that won't help much with skyrocketing costs, she feels seniors who have worked for so many years deserve it too.

"I've paid dues, taxes, whatever, since I was about 17 years old. That's a long time to pay taxes, to help out the economy in this country," Sheaves said in a video interview with CTVNews.ca on Monday. She worked administrative jobs and owned a couple small businesses with her 70-year-old husband Frank before they both retired. "We worked all our lives, and I think we're entitled to that and more."

Sheaves says she and Frank have been receiving Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) payments, a small work pension and returns on their investments. While she doesn't consider herself to be in serious financial trouble, she said rent has increased by about $300 to more than $1,600 since she and her husband sold their Newfoundland home in January 2021 and began renting an apartment in Moncton in September of that year. They are watching their money carefully and always look out for discounts for groceries, she added.

"When we retired, we figured we had sufficient funds to put aside to help with our retirement," Sheaves said. "But of course, the world has gone crazy. Like everything, the prices have gone up."

The federal government announced last week a two-month GST/HST break on certain goods, as well as plans in April to give Canadians who made $150,000 per year or less in 2023 a "Working Canadians Rebate" of $250. Both measures are expected to cost a total of $6.3 billion.

While the tax break on some goods applies to anyone, Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being among the 18.7 million Canadians who are expected to qualify for the government's planned rebate.