Manitoba renters to start getting quarterly cheques from the government

WINNIPEG — Manitobans who rent their homes may soon get government cheques in the mail instead of a credit on their income tax returns.

Premier Wab Kinew says the government is planning to revamp the Renters Affordability Tax Credit and pay it out in cheques every three months.

He says that way, renters get the money earlier and more frequently than waiting for tax season.

The tax credit is currently worth up to $625 a year and a bill now before the legislature would boost it to $675.

Kinew says there are no plans to politicize the cheques by putting his face or signature in the mail envelope.

While he was Opposition leader in 2020, Kinew criticized the Progressive Conservative government of the day for saying it would send cheques to seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic that would come with a note from then-premier Brian Pallister.

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press