I went to the mailbox hoping for a nice surprise package or some Christmas cards.
I would have even enjoyed some junk mail.
What I didn’t expect nor appreciate was a letter from the Canada Revenue Agency seeking repayment of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments I received for a few months during the pandemic.
I was so hoping it was a hoax, like those calls where they say they are from the tax department and you are getting a refund.
Here’s a hint: A refund is a scam. A demand for repayment is the real deal.
How I remember, with gratitude, seeing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau standing out in front of his home with that swanky winter coat and fashionable scarf uttering these words: “We will be there for you.”
I believed.
His Liberal government was offering this short-term financial help to Canadians, either employed or self-employed, whose wages were reduced because of COVID.
You could receive $2,000 for specific four-week periods.
As I recall, they recommended citizens apply for this and, in fact, made it very easy to do.
My first red flag should have been it was a simple application process and I was dealing with the federal government. (Yeah, I know. I should have known!)
Maybe they made it too simple.
I do remember them saying it would be taxable (like income) and that they might want repayment if you did not qualify.
What I also recall is trying to reach an actual person, by phone, to outline my situation before I applied. In fact, in the space of one day, I spoke to three individuals and got three different answers.
All said variations of:
“We keep getting different information minute to minute — just apply online.”
“I keep giving out incorrect information because they keep changing things.”
“They are giving it to everyone — just go online and fill out the form.”
So, I feel annoyed I did try to get the correct information and clearly did not.
I fear I am not alone.
I also expect thousands of Canadians, still suffering in the middle of a pandemic, are getting similar letters right about now and wondering what to do next.
You can still try to prove to them why you should get the supplement. Forgive my cynicism, but “fat chance that’ll work!"
The other really grinch-y thing is the timing.
The letter states repayment must be paid by New Year’s Eve.
That’s a chunk of change to scrounge up in December for anyone, let alone people who already were struggling enough to need some extra help.
To be fair, I see in fine print, it suggests they will offer options for payments. Thanks, heaps!
It is so disheartening.
Also, on the bright side, the Canada Revenue Agency will assume we took the money in good faith and were just in error, so they won’t add on any penalty or toss us into the clink.
So, I guess we, as good Canadians, say sorry, suck it up and soldier on.
It is embarrassing to admit you are in financial distress, so I had to really consider if I should tell this story, but I kept thinking I am sure many, many more Canadians will soon get the same unexpected and unwelcome letter.
I hope you don’t, but I fear you might.
The government gives and the government taketh away.
It really is the absolute perfect ending to a year that took so much already.
