If you noticed an unexpected deposit labelled “Canada PRO” in your bank account, it is a legitimate government payment — not a scam, not an error. Here is exactly what the different Canada PRO programs are, who gets them, and how much to expect.
What “Canada PRO” means
“Canada PRO” is the transaction description the Canada Revenue Agency uses when depositing provincial benefit payments on behalf of provincial governments. The CRA administers several provincial programs and delivers them directly to residents throughout the year.
The name “Canada PRO” does not tell you which specific benefit it is — you need to check CRA My Account, your province’s benefit schedules, or your T1 return to identify the exact program.
The three main Canada PRO programs
1. Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) — Ontario residents
The Ontario Trillium Benefit is the most frequently searched Canada PRO deposit because Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and payers typically see monthly deposits.
What it includes:
| Component | What it’s for | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) | Offset GST/HST costs | Low-to-moderate income Ontario residents 19+ |
| Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) | Offset property tax or rent | People who paid property tax or rent on a principal residence in Ontario |
| Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) | Higher energy costs in Northern Ontario | Residents of eligible northern municipalities |
How to qualify:
- File your Ontario T1 return
- Complete the ON-BEN schedule (Ontario Benefits Application) within your return — this is where you enter your rent paid or property tax paid
- Be an Ontario resident on December 31 of the tax year
How payments work:
| Annual OTB amount | Payment method |
|---|---|
| $360 or less | Single lump sum in July |
| More than $360 | Monthly payments July through June |
Approximate maximum amounts (2024 benefit year):
| Benefit | Single | Family |
|---|---|---|
| OSTC (base) | ~$345 | ~$690 |
| OEPTC (renters, age 18–64) | up to ~$1,095 | up to ~$1,241 |
| OEPTC (property tax, age 18–64) | Varies with tax paid | Varies |
| NOEC | up to ~$180 | up to ~$277 |
The income reduction thresholds mean most Ontarians with income above ~$45,000–$60,000 receive little or no OTB (varies significantly depending on family size and which components apply).
2. BC Climate Action Tax Credit (BCCATC) — BC residents
BC residents see “Canada PRO” deposits quarterly as the BC Climate Action Tax Credit. This provincial top-up works alongside the federal Canada Carbon Rebate to offset carbon pricing costs for low- and moderate-income BC households.
Payment schedule: January, April, July, October
Approximate annual amounts (2025):
| Recipient | Annual amount |
|---|---|
| Individual | ~$447 |
| Spouse or common-law partner | +~$223 |
| Each child | +~$111 |
| Family of 4 | ~$892 |
Income phase-out: The credit begins reducing for individuals earning above approximately $40,000 and is fully phased out around $50,170. Family thresholds are higher.
How to qualify: File your BC T1 return. No separate application required.
3. Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) — Alberta residents
Alberta families with children under 18 receive the ACFB quarterly. It is designed to help lower- and middle-income families with the costs of raising children.
Payment schedule: February, May, August, November
Approximate maximum annual amounts (2025):
| Child | Base benefit | Working component |
|---|---|---|
| 1st child | ~$1,330 | ~$355 |
| 2nd child | ~$665 | ~$355 |
| 3rd child | ~$665 | ~$355 |
| 4th+ child | ~$665 | ~$355 |
The base benefit begins phasing out around $25,935 family net income and is gone around $43,460. The working component phases in between about $2,760 and $12,120 in working income.
How to check exactly what your Canada PRO deposit is for
- Log in to CRA My Account (canada.ca/cra-my-account) → “Benefits and credits” → see the payments issued, dates, and amounts
- Check your NOA (Notice of Assessment) — lists all credits and benefits CRA calculated for you after your return was assessed
- Review your ON-BEN, BC schedule, or provincial return — shows what was claimed
- Contact CRA: 1-800-387-1193 (benefits inquiries)
Why Canada PRO amounts change year to year
Your Canada PRO deposit is recalculated every year based on your most recently filed tax return. The amount can change because:
- Income changed — higher income may reduce or eliminate the benefit
- Family size changed — new child, marriage, separation, or death of a dependant
- Rent or property tax changed — moving, stopping renting, buying a home (OEPTC component)
- You moved provinces — you lose OTB when you move out of Ontario; you gain BCCATC when you move into BC
- Late tax filing — payments are delayed or suspended until the return is processed
- CRA reassessment — if your return is reassessed and income is changed, your benefit recalculates
Canada PRO vs. the Canada Carbon Rebate
Many Canadians confuse Canada PRO payments with the Canada Carbon Rebate (formerly the Climate Action Incentive Payment / CAIP). They are different:
| Canada PRO | Canada Carbon Rebate | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Catch-all label for provincial benefit deposits | Federal carbon price rebate |
| Jurisdictions | Ontario (OTB), BC (BCCATC), Alberta (ACFB) | Federal backstop provinces (ON, MB, SK, AB, NB, NS, PEI, NL as of recent changes) |
| Transaction name | “Canada PRO” | “Canada Carbon Rebate” or “CCR” |
| Payment frequency | Monthly (OTB) or quarterly (BCCATC, ACFB) | Quarterly (April, July, Oct, Jan) |
| Taxable | No | No |
| Application | Automatic with tax return | Automatic with tax return |
Is the Canada PRO deposit a scam?
No. “Canada PRO” is a legitimate government deposit administered by CRA. You do not need to click any links or provide banking information to receive it. If you receive emails or text messages claiming to be about your Canada PRO payment and asking you to confirm banking information, those are phishing scams — CRA communicates by mail and through CRA My Account, not by email or text message.