Did you see “PRO Deposit” on your bank statement and wonder what it’s about? Well, you are not alone. The CRA deposits payments to eligible Canadians living in Ontario and Alberta for child and family benefits.
In this comprehensive guide, I explain what Canada PRO payment means, its eligibility criteria, how to apply, when you expect to receive it, and more.
This guide results from hours of thorough internet research and brainstorming sessions with industry experts to provide the most comprehensive and detailed guide on Canada pro.
If you have any questions or feedback regarding this article, please feel free to share them with me in the comment section of this post.
What is the Canada Pro Deposit?
The Canada Pro is a tax credit deposit to eligible residents of the provinces of Ontario and Alberta. It is a government-sponsored monetary program that assists low-income households in Canada, giving them the strength to have a plan in the event of an emergency and making life easier for those with money problems.
Canada Pro deposits are made to eligible Canadians residing in Ontario and Alberta by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the government of those provinces. The benefits are paid out monthly or as a lump sum and are not taxable. However, you must meet the eligibility criteria before receiving these entitlement programs.
Canada Pro is also known as the Ontario Trillium Benefits (for eligible residents of Ontario), and it has three components, namely;
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit
These benefits help eligible Ontario residents with modest incomes pay for energy costs, sales taxes, and property taxes.
For citizens of Alberta, it is known as Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB).
Who is Eligible For Canada Pro Deposit?
Not everyone can receive the Canada Pro deposit in their bank accounts. However, you can expect to receive the Canada pro deposit if you are a resident of Ontario or Alberta and qualify for at least one of the following tax credits.
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)
- Alberta Child and Family Benefits (ACFB).
Which one are you eligible for? If you are unsure about your eligibility, read the following section, where I will discuss these credits, including their requirements and the maximum amounts you can receive.
Canada Pro Deposit Program & Eligibility in Ontario
1. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
The OEPTC is a benefit paid to low-to-moderate-income Ontario residents to offset energy and property taxes.
The OEPTC consists of energy and property components; you need to qualify for either to get paid.
You may qualify for the OEPTC in 2022 if you meet one of the following requirements:
- You were a resident of Ontario as of December 31, 2021
- You are at least 18 years of age
- You currently are (or previously were) married or in a common-law relationship
- You are a parent who lives or previously lived with your child
And if in 2021,
- You rented or paid property taxes for your principal residence
- You lived on a reserve in Ontario, and you paid for your home energy costs (e.g., electricity, heat)
- You lived in a public or non-profit long-term care home in Ontario and paid a portion of the accommodation.
- You lived in Ontario’s designated private school, university, or college.
To receive the benefit for a particular month, you must be a resident of Ontario at the beginning of that month. However, you are not eligible to receive OEPTC if you are imprisoned for 90 days or more.
2. The Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
The NOEC is a relief benefit paid to low-to-moderate-income Northern Ontario residents to offset the higher home energy costs they pay in the north.
To qualify for the NOEC, you must reside in the districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury (including the City of Greater Sudbury), Timiskaming, and Thunder Bay.
You may qualify for the NOEC in 2022 if you meet one of the following requirements:
- You were a resident of the previously listed districts as of December 31, 2021
- You are at least 18 years of age
- You currently are (or previously were) married or in a common-law relationship
- You are a parent who lives or previously lived with your child
And if in 2021,
- You rented or paid property taxes in the eligible Northern Ontario districts.
- You lived in a public or non-profit long-term care home in Northern Ontario and paid a portion of the accommodation.
- You lived on a reserve in Northern Ontario and paid for home energy costs.
To receive the benefit for a specific month, you must be a resident of the eligible Northern Ontario districts at the beginning of that month. However, you are not eligible to receive NOEC if imprisoned for 90 days or more.
3. Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)
The OSTC is a relief benefit paid to Ontario residents with a modest income to offset their sales and services taxes.
To qualify for the OSTC, you must be a resident of Ontario, and you must also meet at least one of the following requirements:
- You are at least 19 years of age
- You currently are (or previously were) married or in a common-law relationship
- You are a parent who lives or previously lived with your child
The OSTC benefit is very similar to the federal GST/HST benefit and requires no application. You are only required to file your income tax return to determine your eligibility, and you will receive a notice from the CRA if you are eligible.
Maximum Canada Pro Deposit for Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)
Each of the tax credits in the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) has a maximum payment limit that varies according to the age and location of the eligible Canadian.
Check out the Ontario Trillium Benefit page on the Government of Ontario’s website for more information about the maximum payment amount.
Canada Pro Deposit Program & Eligibility in Alberta
1. Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
The ACFB is a benefit paid to Alberta families that has children under the age of 18 years to supplement the cost of raising their children.
It was introduced in 2020 to replace the Alberta Child Benefit (ACB) and the Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit (AFETC).
ACFB is income-tested, so low-to-moderate-income Albertans get more ACFB benefits, and high-income earners will typically not qualify.
To qualify for the ACFB, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are a resident of Alberta
- You are a parent of one or more children under the age of 18
- You have filed an income tax return
- You must meet the income criteria i.e., earning a modest income
The ACFB benefit is very similar to the federal CCB benefit and requires no application. You are only required to file your income tax return to determine your eligibility, and you will receive a notice from the CRA if you are eligible.
Maximum Canada Pro Deposit for Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) has a maximum payment limit that varies according to the eligible Canadian’s children and family income.
Check out the Child and Family Benefit page on the Government of Alberta’s website for more information about the maximum payment amount.
How To Apply for Canada Pro Deposit
If you are a resident of Ontario, you are expected to apply for Canada pro when you file your annual income tax return. All you have to do is to fill out the ON-BEN Application form and attach it to your income tax return.
On the other hand, if you are a resident of Alberta, you do not need to apply. Just file your annual income tax return, and you will be automatically considered for this benefit.
Thus, CRA automatically handles that based on your previous tax return.
When is the Canada Pro Payment Date in 2022?
The Canada pro can be paid out by cheque or direct bank deposit as a single lump payment in July 2022 if your benefit is less than $360.
However, if you qualify for over $360, you can elect to collect it monthly or quarterly, depending on your province of residence and the underlying credit. Below are the Canada pro deposit dates for 2022:
Ontario Canada PRO Deposit Dates | Alberta Canada PRO Deposit Dates |
January 10, 2023 | -- |
February 10, 2023 | February 27, 2023 |
March 10, 2023 | -- |
April 7, 2023 | -- |
May 10, 2023 | May 26, 2023 |
June 9, 2023 | -- |
July 10, 2023 | -- |
August 10, 2023 | August 25, 2023 |
September 8, 2023 | -- |
October 10, 2023 | -- |
November 10, 2023 | November 27, 2023 |
December 8, 2023 | -- |
Note: If you are still waiting to receive your Canada pro, wait for five business days, then contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281.
What Should I Do With The Canada Pro?
The Canada pro in your bank may feel like some free cash, and you may feel free to use it the way you like.
Well, that is very true. However, you can be smart about spending your Canada pro by investing it in things that can help your finances long-term.
However, depending on your situation and financial goals, consider the following options when spending your Canada pro deposit:
- You can use it to pay down your debts and credit card balance
- You can use it to build an emergency fund
- You can invest it in your retirement account
- You can use it to pay your life insurance premium
- You can invest it into your child’s RESP
- You can save it up for a down payment for your mortgage
So by investing your money in the above options, you will make the most of your Canada pro deposit.
Final Thoughts on Canada Pro Deposit
Canada pro is an excellent supplement to your income and can be used to boost your investment and savings. It is a valuable benefit that can assist with paying your home energy and property tax and even the cost of raising your children.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit for Ontario residents and Alberta Child and Family Benefit for Alberta residents can be a lifesaver for many disadvantaged Canadians.
Having fully understood what Canada Pro means and its aims, you shouldn’t fret when next you see the title in your bank statement.
Canada Pro Deposit FAQs
Is Canada Pro Taxable?
No. Canada pro is not taxable. Therefore, you shouldn’t include the payment in your income tax return.
How often is Canada Pro Paid?
Canada pro is paid monthly, quarterly, or annually. Ontario Trillium Benefit beneficiaries can receive monthly or one lump-sum annual payment. On the other hand, Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) beneficiaries receive quarterly payments.
Where Can I Get More Details on the Canada Pro?
To get more details on the Canada pro payment, log in to your CRA My Account or call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.
What is Canada Pro Payment?
Canada pro payment is a monthly/annual benefit given to eligible Ontario and Alberta residents with low-moderate-income levels.
What to Do if You Receive the Canada Pro Deposit?
It is always a great idea to confirm why you have received the Canada pro deposit before you spend it. But how do you confirm the Canada pro deposit? All you need is to log in to your CRA My Account to view all your entitled benefits.
Moreover, If you’re unsure of anything or need help, don’t hesitate to call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.
Who is Eligible for Canada Pro?
Ontario residents who qualify for one of the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) components are eligible for the Canada pro deposit. Also, Alberta residents who qualify for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (AFCB) are eligible for the Canada pro deposit.
Hi, I'm Adeola Adegoke. I am a licensed Insurance Broker in Manitoba, and I hold a master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences (with a major in Financial Modeling) from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Tanzania.
Also, I have a second master's degree in Statistics from the University of Regina, and I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Statistics at the University of Manitoba.
The primary purpose of Money Reverie is to help everyday Canadians make better financial decisions by providing up-to-date financial news and information, reports, product reviews, and government programs.
Hi I receive OTB on the 10th of every month. Is this the same as Canada pro or is that a different payment? Do I have to apply for Canada pro thx I live on 12k per year in Toronto so if I can get a bit more money that would help me a lot
I have four children, and last month they sent us 2700, but this month 2188, is this true? Thank you