Only 150 of 7,500 First-Time Homebuyer GST Rebates Approved in Canada
As of June 19, the Canadian government has approved just 150 applications for the first-time homebuyer GST rebate out of 7,500 received. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne acknowledged the slow rollout, while data shows most approvals came from Quebec.
The Canadian government’s new tax relief program for first-time homebuyers is facing significant delays in delivery. As of June 19, only 150 applicants have been approved for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rebate, despite receiving 7,500 applications.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne addressed the slow rollout, stating that the government "should be doing better" regarding the administration of the tax relief. The program is designed to eliminate the GST on newly built or substantially renovated homes worth up to $1 million, offering eligible buyers a maximum saving of $50,000.
Data released by the department indicates a stark geographic disparity in processing outcomes. Of the 150 approved applications, 130 were from Quebec, while only 20 came from the rest of Canada. Ottawa has paid out a total of $3,577,000 so far, which averages about $24,000 per rebate.
Beyond the approved cases, 620 Canadians have been denied the rebate, and 6,700 applications remain without a response. The average process time for rebate applications across the country is reported as 50 days.
The delay is attributed partly to legislative uncertainty surrounding Bill C-4, the legislation that included the GST rebate. Although Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the elimination of the GST for first-time homebuyers in March 2025—following a similar promise made months earlier by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre—the bill did not receive royal assent until March 2026.
In its spring economic update, the government set aside $68.2 million for the tax rebate over three years beginning in 2026–27. A parliamentary budget officer analysis had previously estimated that the rebate would save buyers an average of $26,832 and qualify over 71,000 new builds.