B.C. residents to get one-time relief rebate to ease financial burden of increased gas prices: Horgan

Premier John Horgan announced on Friday that British Columbians will be eligible to receive a one-time relief rebate of $110 to ease the financial burden of increased gas prices caused by the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

The rebate will equate to more than $395 million for the Province, according to the government, coming at a time when the global increase in gas prices and other cost pressures have affected day-to-day life for British Columbians.

Most ICBC customers with a basic auto insurance policy during the month of February will be eligible for the $110 relief rebate, says Horgan.

Additionally, most commercial customers will receive a rebate of $165 because they generally incur higher expenses.

“People are facing increased costs through no fault of their own, but as a chain reaction that started with Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine,” said Premier John Horgan. “As a result of our work to fix ICBC, we’re in a position to put money back in people’s pockets to help a little with these increased costs.”

READ MORE: B.C. announces ICBC insurance renewal shifting online, discontinuing license plate decals

ICBC will provide customers with the relief rebate and customers can expect to receive their rebate in May if they are registered for direct deposit with ICBC or as a refund to their credit card.

All other customers will receive cheques in June.

“This rebate is going to help a lot of people in this province,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This is another opportunity to put money back in the pockets of the hardworking people who make this province a great place to live.”

The relief rebate follows two COVID-19 rebates issued by ICBC last year, which provided drivers with a combined average of $300.

ICBC’s COVID-19 rebates were made possible because crash rates fell during the early part of the pandemic when British Columbians were driving less.

Editorial Policies Report an Error