Canadians Hold $2 Billion in Uncashed Federal Checks: Report
Recent reports indicate that Canadians have collectively overlooked approximately $2 billion in uncashed federal checks. The documents disclosed in Parliament show that over the last four years, 3.9 million paper cheques issued by government departments remain uncashed.
Details of Uncashed Federal Checks
The uncashed amounts include significant sums from various programs:
- Canada Carbon Rebate: $141 million in cheques went unclaimed from this program, which aimed to mitigate carbon pricing costs.
- Canada Child Benefit: Families left about $42.8 million in cheques uncashed from this tax-free monthly payment designed to support child-rearing expenses.
Despite the cancellation of the carbon rebate program, it’s important to note that federal cheques do not expire. This means that Canadians can still claim these funds. Although the government encourages direct deposit methods for payments, many benefits, including some older programs, continue to be distributed via paper checks.
Impact of Uncashed Cheques
The ongoing issue of uncashed federal checks highlights a gap in communication regarding government benefits. With significant amounts still available, it is crucial for Canadians to be aware of their unclaimed funds.
This information was originally reported by The Canadian Press on February 2, 2026. Efforts to raise awareness about these uncashed checks may help in mitigating the figures moving forward.
