The federal budget says five years of rebates worth $2.5 billion will be sent out as the Liberals continue to stand by their carbon pricing system despite political pressure.

More than 600,000 businesses can expect to receive the money as a refundable tax credit later this year as long as their 2023 tax return is filed by mid−July.

Ottawa has battled with banks for years over how the consumer carbon rebate is labelled when it’s deposited into Canadians’ bank accounts.

The Liberal budget proposes to change the law so the government can require financial institutions to use specific labels for government payments.

The government is also announcing a tax credit to attract companies investing in Canada’s electric−vehicle supply chain, along with a national flood insurance program.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2024.

The Canadian Press