Alberta Says More Than 100,000 People Signed Up for $100 Energy Rebate in First 24 Hours

Money is removed from a bank machine in a photo illustration in Montreal, on May 30, 2016. The Canadian Press/Ryan RemiorzAlberta says more than 106,000 people have already applied for a $100 affordability rebate that the government says is intended to help people offset the high cost of living.The tax-free rebate is available to all Albertans 18 years old or above who completed a tax return in 2025 and had a household income of $225,000 or below. It is not necessary to own or drive a vehicle to qualify to receive the rebate.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith first announced the rebate last month as a replacement for the province’s fuel tax relief program, which has been in place since 2022 and temporarily suspends all or part of Alberta’s 13-cents-per-litre fuel tax when the average quarterly price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil reaches or exceeds US$90 per barrel.Alberta amended its fuel tax relief program last week in order to allow the rebate program to proceed. The province says roughly 3.4 million Albertans will qualify to receive the payment, with applications to remain open July 1 through to Sept. 30.Those who successfully apply will get the money in their bank account within two weeks of their successful application, according to the government.Technical IssuesHigh traffic to the Alberta government website after it opened rebate applications July 1 caused a “performance issue,” according to Jonathan Gauthier, a spokesperson for the province’s Minister of Technology Nate Glubish.On July 2, Gauthier said the issue had been resolved, adding that Alberta is also looking at more ways to improve the application system for those whose bank doesn’t make use of the online Interac verification process, which he said has become a source of frustration for some.“There definitely were glitches, and I know that it’s very frustrating for those who went on. But I think it also shows that when you get a large number of people going on at once, sometimes it does end up stressing the system,” Smith said of the technical problems.While applications can only be made via the online site, a phone number is available for help with the website. Smith also advised having a care worker or family member who can help if there are difficulties with using the portal.