What Is Canada Pro Deposit? Here’s Why You Get It In 2023

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If you received a Canada Pro deposit in your bank account and wondering what it is, youโ€™re not alone.

In this post, youโ€™ll learn what it is, its eligibility, how to confirm the payment and the payment dates for the Canada child and family benefits.

Check below to learn more about the benefit and how much you can expect.

What is Canada Pro?

Canada Pro is a deposit made by CRA for Child and Family Benefits programs of different provinces, notably Ontario and Alberta. The deposit is made monthly, quarterly or annually.

If youโ€™re an Ontario resident, the payment will be for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB).

The money is paid as a lump-sum or spread over 12 months (July to June), depending on your OTB entitlement for the year.

For example, you would received a lump-sum payment of the credit in June 2024 if your 2022 annual entitlement is less than $360.

If itโ€™s over $360, you can choose to receive it over 12 months or wait to get it a lump-sum in 2024..

Alberta Residents: If youโ€™re an Alberta resident, it is for Alberta Child and Family Benefits (ACFB).

What is Canada Pro Deposit? And who is eligible

Who is Eligible for Canada Pro?

Eligibility for Canada Pro is assessed using the criteria set out for the underlying credit.

As an Ontario resident, youโ€™re eligible for Canada Pro if you qualify for Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB).

OTB is the combined payment for 3 tax credits that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers on behalf of Ontario. The credits are:

  • Ontario Sales Tax Credit
  • Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
  • Northern Ontario Energy Credit.

Your eligibility is determined under each of the 3 programs separately, and the tax credits paid to your account monthly or as a lump sum in July.

Weโ€™ll go over the eligibility for each of the programs and how much you can expect to receive in details below:

CRA has an handy tool here to estimate how much you can expect to receive.

The eligibility for the other credits and benefits paid as Canada Pro are also provided.


Canada Pro as Ontario Trillium Benefits (OTB)

These are the 3 different credits covered by OTB, their eligibility and how much you can receive:

1. Ontario Sales Tax Credit

The Ontario Sales Tax Credit is a similar program to the federal GST/HST Credit program that helps Ontario residents with the sales tax they pay.

It is meant for low to moderate income residents.

To be eligible for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, individuals or families must satisfy one of the following conditions:

  • 19 years or older
  • previously or current married or in a common-law relationship
  • a parent who lives or previously lived with a child

You donโ€™t need to apply for the benefit separately.

The CRA will assess your income tax return to determine if you are eligible and automatically issue the payments on the due dates.

How much does the Ontario Sales Tax Credit Pay?

For the 2023-2024 benefit year, beneficiaries can receive up to $345 (slightly up from the $324 for 2022 benefit year).

You can also receive up to an additional $324 for your spouse/common-law partner and each dependent child that is under 19 on the 1st of the payment month.

Ontario Sales Tax Credit Pay is income-tested. Meaning, the credits will be reduced once you earn above the set adjusted family net income.

For the current benefit year, the adjusted family net income and the clawback rates were:

  • Singles: 4% on net income above $24,916
  • Single parents, married or in a common-law relationship: 4% on net income above $31,144

That means your Canada Pro Deposit will be lower as your income increases beyond the claw back threshold.


2. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit

This is another income-tested benefit for low to moderate income residents of Ontario. The credit is meant to help with the sales tax on energy and with property taxes.

That is, there are 2 components to the credit: the Energy component and the Property Tax component.

You may be eligible for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit if you were a resident of Ontario on December 31, 2022 and one of these applied in 2022:

  • rented or paid property tax for your main residence
  • lived in a public long-term care home (e.g., a seniorsโ€™ home) and paid an amount for your accommodation
  • lived on a reserve and paid for your home energy costs

And one of these apply for 2022:

  • 18 years of age or older (the age of majority in Ontario)
  • a parent who lives or previously lived with your child
  • currently or previously married or in a common-law relationship
How much can you expect to receive from Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit?

Hereโ€™s a table summarizing the maximum benefit you could expect to receive as Ontario Energy and Property Credit:

CategoryMax.
Seniors$1,360
Non-seniors$1,194

As an income-tested benefit, the lower your adjusted family income for the previous year, the higher the Canada Pro deposit youโ€™ll receive under this credit.

On the other hand, as your family income increases, you can expect a lower amount for the Canada Pro deposit.

You can use the calculator here to estimate how much you can expect.


3. Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)

This credit helps Northern Ontario residents with the higher energy cost they pay.

In other words, only residents of northern Ontario on December 31, 2022 are eligible for the credit.

To be eligible for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, one of the following must also apply in 2022:

  • rented or paid property tax for your main residence
  • lived in a public long-term care home (e.g., a seniorsโ€™ home) and paid an amount for your accommodation
  • lived on a reserve and paid for your home energy costs

And at least one of the following before June 1, 2023: a) 18 years of age or older; b) a parent who lives or previously lived with your child; or c) currently or previously married or in a common-law relationship.

Northern Ontario covers the following cities and towns: Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming.

How much can you expect to receive from Northern Ontario Energy Credit?

The amount you can get under the NOEC program depends on your marital status, i.e. whether youโ€™re single or a family.

The maximum amount for each category are:

  • Singles: maximum of $172
  • Families: maximum of $265

Your NOEC benefit is combined into a single payment with the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) and Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC).

The total is then deposited into your account as OTB or Canada Pro deposit.

Learn more: OTB Payment Dates

Canada Pro as Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)

The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) was introduced in July 2020 to replace the Alberta Child Benefit (ACB) and the Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit (AFETC).

ACFB is a financial assistance program for lower and middle-income families in Alberta with children under age 18.

It is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the provincial government of Alberta.

Note: If you received a Canada Pro deposit in your account on August 27th, then it is most likely your ACFB payment.

Who is eligible for ACFB?

To be Eligibility for ACFB, applicants must satisfy all the criteria below:

  • Reside in Alberta
  • Have one or more children under 18
  • File their tax return for previous years
  • Meet the income criteria

How much can you receive as ACFB?

How much you can receive from ACFB is based on your income and the number of children you have.

There are 2 components under ACFB: A base component and a working component.

The base component is for families with little or no employment income, while the working component is for those with an employment income above $2,760.

For 2023/2024, the maximum annual ACFB amounts under both components are:

Number of ChildrenMax. Base ComponentMax Working Component
One (1) Child$1,410$722
Two (2) Children$2,115$1,379
Three (3) Children$2,820$1,772
Four (4) Children$3,525$1,902

These amounts are gradually reduced once your income reaches a threshold.

The benefit amounts paid for the base and working components are reduced once the family net income exceeds $25,935 and $43,460 respectively.

Learn more about Alberta Child And Family Benefit (ACFB) here.


Canada PRO Deposit Dates 2023

Unlike other government benefits, Canada pro doesnโ€™t have a single payment schedule. The payments are distributed according to the programs of eligible recipients.

So individuals that are eligible for the deposit under Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) will receive the deposit on different dates with those under Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)

That said, the following are the Canada Pro deposit dates for 2023 under the OTB and ACFB programs.

OTB DatesACFB Dates
January 20, 2023February 23, 2023
February 20, 2023May 26, 2023
March 20, 2023August 25, 2023
April 20, 2023November 27, 2023
May 19, 2023
June 20, 2023
July 20, 2023
August 18, 2023
September 20, 2023
October 20, 2023
November 20, 2023
December 13, 2023

Confirming the Canada Pro Deposit Payment

If you received a Canada Pro deposit in your bank account, it is always a good idea to confirm what the deposit you received is for.

You may get a mail from CRA but the quickest way is to log in to your My Account with CRA.

From your account, you can view all the benefits youโ€™re entitled to and the expected payment dates.

Also, checking the payment dates for some of the child and family benefit payment dates below can help you determine what the payment is for.

For example, if you receive the deposit on February 2rd, 2023, you can be almost certain that the payment is for ACFB if youโ€™re an Alberta resident.

Is Canada Pro Taxable?

Canada Pro is not taxable. All the benefits that are paid using the caption are completely tax-free benefits.

OTB is not taxable. Neither are the ACFB, GST/HST credit or Canada Workersโ€™ Benefit payment.

This means you wonโ€™t have to include the deposit as a taxable income when you file your income tax returns.

However, you need to file your income tax to allow CRA determine your eligibility and how much youโ€™ll receive as benefit.

How Often is Canada Pro Paid?

For eligible Canadians, Canada Pro is paid monthly, quarterly or annually based on the payment schedule for the underlying benefit or credit.

That is, the payment frequency depends on the benefit the deposit is for.

For example, Ontario Trillium benefit (OTB) deposits are paid monthly or as a lump sum deposit annually by July.

The GST/HST Credit and Alberta Child and and Family Benefit (ACFB) are, however, paid quarterly on the 5th day of January, April, July and October.

Alberta Child & Family Benefit is also paid quarterly but in February, May, August and November.

How is Canada Pro Deposit Paid?

The Canada Revenue Agency administers the credit directly to your bank account. 

However, you will receive the credit by cheque if you donโ€™t set a direct bank deposit. 

Depending on the payment amount youโ€™re entitled to and the specific benefit program, you may receive the Canada Pro deposit as a one-lump sum deposit or monthly deposit.

For example, OTB payments of $360 and below are deposited as a one-lump sum. But if you are entitled to more than a $360 OTB deposit, you can choose between a monthly payment or one-lump sum deposit. 

However, Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) deposits are administered quarterly using the payment method you currently have set up with CRA.

How to Apply For Canada Pro Payment

Canada Pro application process varies depending on your province. To receive the Ontario Trillium Benefit annually, you must apply for it. 

Fortunately, the OTB application process is straightforward. Simply file your previous yearโ€™s tax return and submit it alongside the filled ON-BEN Application Form.

While you donโ€™t need to apply for the OSTC part of the OTB, the NOEC and OEPC parts require an application.

On the other hand, Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) doesnโ€™t require an application. You will be automatically enrolled in the program once you file your taxes and meet Canada Child Benefit (CCB) eligibility.


What to Do With Your Canada Pro Deposit

Your Canada Pro deposit is yours to spend, save or invest however you like.

Most people have already planned for these monthly or quarterly payments from CRA. This could mean:

  • topping up an emergency fund
  • setting up an RESP for your kids
  • paying off some of your debts
  • Savings for retirement

Whatever you decide to do, as long as youโ€™re putting the money to good use according to your financial goals, youโ€™re on the right course.


Canada Pro & Additional Benefits

The following are other government benefits you may also be eligible for as a recipient of Canada pro.

1. GST/HST Credit and Canada Workers Benefit Payment Dates

The other 2 benefit payments under the Canada Child and Family Benefit programs are:

  • Goods and Services Tax/ Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) Credit
  • Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) โ€“ advance payments

Both benefits are paid on the same day quarterly. The payment dates for 2023 are shown below:

QuarterGST/HST Credit Pay DatesCWB Pay Dates
1January 5, 2023January 5, 2023
2April 5, 2023April 5, 2023
3July 5, 2023July 5, 2023
4October 5, 2023October 5, 2023

If you didnโ€™t receive your benefits on the dates above, you should wait for at least 10 working days before contacting CRA.

Or check your account with CRA to confirm if you should be receiving the payment.

Learn more about GST/HST Credit and Canada workers benefit advance payments in the linked posts.

Related Posts:

2. Canada RIT

Canada RIT refers to Canada Refund Income Tax and it is a direct deposit from Canada Revenue Authority (CRA). As the name suggests, if you received a deposit with the caption, it is most likely a tax refund from CRA.

Check out this post to learn more about Canada RIT. Or here to learn about Canada FPT Deposit and Canada Fed, two other deposit with unclear description from CRA.

FAQs on Canada Pro Payments For 2023

Why did I get a Canada PRO deposit?

You get Canada Pro deposit because you meet the child and family benefits eligibility of your province (Ontario or Alberta).

How much is Canada Pro payment in 2023?

The amount you can receive as Canada Pro deposit varies depending on your income, family composition and the credit it relates to. For example, you can receive up to $5,427 through ACFB as an Alberta resident.

Why did I get a Canada Pro deposit in July and not in previous months?

Eligibility for most benefits and credits are assessed in July by CRA based on the previous yearโ€™s income. For example, 2022 income is used to determine who is eligible for OTB payment period starting in July 2023.
So if you didnโ€™t receive the deposit in prior months but got it in July, itโ€™s most likely because you just became eligible for one of the credits that are paid as Canada Pro.

Final Thoughts: Canada Pro

In this post, we answered the question: What is Canada Pro in my bank account?

In most instances, the deposit is a payment from CRA for Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB). It is paid every month or as a lump-sum depending on how much youโ€™re entitled to.

In other cases, it could be for ACFB if youโ€™re an Alberta Resident or the federal government credits like Canada Workersโ€™ Benefit or GST/HST credit.

If you have any comments or questions, please let me know in the comments.

Related Posts:

Simon is a CPA by day and a Personal Finance Blogger by night. With over a decade experience in financial services, he's passionate about personal finance, investing and helping people take control of their financial life.

26 thoughts on “What Is Canada Pro Deposit? Here’s Why You Get It In 2023”

  1. Hi good evening. Im a single parent. I have 2 childrenโ€™s and their with me since their were born. 2012 my benefits had stop due to couldnโ€™t provide documents for my children due to consequence from ex husband. Until this year theyโ€™ve received their birth certificates. Would I be still be able to receive those benefits as a lump sum? And my daughter just turn 18 last year. Would it be the same with her? They are both born in Canada just couldnโ€™t approve it and I was moving around to avoid things around for our safety. But now theyโ€™ve just got their birth certificate. I had to ask about this for my children sake,school and financially.

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Hi Jocelyn,
      A number of CRA benefits are retroactive so you may receive some or all of the benefits you qualified for. But it’s best to call CRA for more information and direction on how to proceed. All the best!

      Reply
    • Hi Brian,
      Sorry to hear that. Hopefully, it’ll be fixed by the next payment.
      You may login to your CRA account, go to “Personal Profile” and confirm that the new bank details has been received.

      Reply
  2. ok today i noticed in our account a withdrawal to Canada Pro of 105.60. i never authorized this so how did you get it. we live in Yukon Territory.

    Reply
  3. Hello
    I found your article very helpful. I do have a question I was hoping you could help me with. If a person receiving Canada Pro passes away how would you notify Canada Pro to stop payments. Thank you so much

    Reply
  4. Hi there I have received the benefit for my trillium and it goes into my bank account directly and it is not there today why is that

    Reply
    • If this is OTB, then the benefit is income tested, so how much you receive depends on your income. The benefit is reassessed every July using your income from the previous year. So your July payment is likely different from previous months.

      Reply
  5. Hi. I’m 24, not a parent, never married, never lived in a long-term care anything… honestly, the only box I check off here is that I’m over 18. Why did I get about 300 dollars? Is it because I live with a 12 year old sibling? (I’m not their guardian, our mother is). Very confused.

    Reply
  6. Hi Iโ€™ve gotten my Canada pro payment this month but I didnโ€™t get it for the previous months that were listed so would I get it next month or was is it the case of me getting it once per year ? Thank you

    Reply
    • Hi Vee,
      It’s best to confirm by checking your CRA My Account for any notice regarding the payment. A reassessment is done in July using the previous year’s income, so it’s possible you just became eligible for the benefit based on your 2020 income and can expect the payment going forward.

      Reply
  7. was the first payment for the Canada pro deposit In July of this year or did it start in January because I got mine this month only so would I get the payment for the remaining months

    Reply
    • The payment period runs from July to June and the amounts calculated using the previous year’s income. So if your first payment is in July, it’s likely you were not eligible for the payments in the previous period.

      Reply
  8. I didnt receive the ACFB payment that I was expecting. Instead, I got something called CANADA PRO. Is this an extra payment, or a replacement for ACFB ?

    Reply
    • Hi Loretta – If you received the payment today (aug 27th), then it is ACFB. Canada Pro is just the caption or description used for the deposit, it is not a benefit program itself. Hope that helps.

      Reply
  9. I have returned one payment and informed Canada Pro of my mother’s death. She is still receiving payment. How do I stop this? Who do I contact?

    Reply

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