Many still waiting for ICBC gas rebate cheques, months after provincial promise payout

Editor’s note: This article has been updated after clarification from ICBC that the latest figures show 25,000 people had received direct deposits. In total, the insurer says 653,000 people have received their money.

Months after the provincial government promised British Columbians a gas rebate amid soaring prices at the pump, many have yet to receive their money.

One month ago, CityNews Vancouver reported that roughly 24,000 direct deposits had been issued. That number has since risen to 25,000.

Overall, ICBC says 653,000 have been given their money.

But what about everyone else?

The public insurer says people who paid using debit, credit, cash, cheque, or a payment plan should start getting their cheques this week, but by Friday morning, many were still without.

Overall, ICBC says it still hopes the 3.5 million British Columbians who are eligible for a rebate should have it by the end of July. This is despite earlier promises of this payout back in March, with the province initially saying the money would start being handed out in May.

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• Fewer than 1% have gotten their ICBC gas rebate direct deposit

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Victoria has put aside $395 million to give to drivers — both personal and commercial.

Commercial drivers get a bit more money because the premier says their expenses are usually higher. Everyone else gets about $110, but it remains unclear how far that money will actually go as gas prices on the Lower Mainland continue to be the highest in all of North America.

Meanwhile, gas prices dipped a couple of cents on Friday morning, but one industry insider doesn’t expect prices overall to change very much because, he says, crude oil levels are in a free-fall right now.