Canadians still hold more than $2-billion in uncashed federal cheques.

Documents tabled in Parliament show roughly 3.9 million federal paper cheques issued over the past four fiscal years went uncashed, worth about $2.16 billion. The uncollected payments include tax refunds, pensions and benefits such as the Canada Carbon Rebate, Climate Action tax credits and the Canada Child Benefit.

Documents tabled in Parliament report that Canadians did not cash about 3.9 million paper cheques issued by federal departments over the past four fiscal years, with a total value of roughly $2.16 billion. The items include tax refunds, pension payments and benefit cheques issued by the Canada Revenue Agency and other departments. The disclosure came in a government response prepared by Public Services and Procurement Canada and released to Parliament on Jan. 26. The figures have drawn attention because they include discontinued rebate programs as well as ongoing benefit payments. Known details: - Approximately 3.9 million paper cheques were uncashed, totaling $2,159,665,155. - About $141 million in Canada Carbon Rebate cheques and $50 million in Climate Action tax credits for B.C. residents went uncollected. - Roughly $42.8 million in Canada Child Benefit cheques were not deposited. - The federal government prefers direct deposit; 8.51 per cent of total federal payments are still made by cheque. - From April 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2025, 121 million cheques were mailed and issuing them likely cost about $222 million at an estimated administrative cost of $1.83 per cheque. - The government said it considered a prepaid card program but found it more expensive than direct deposit and not widely supported; departments are responsible for managing their transition away from paper cheques. Summary: The reported figures indicate a substantial amount of unclaimed federal payments and ongoing administrative expense. The government notes that cheques do not expire and can be replaced, and it has pointed to departmental responsibility for any transition away from paper cheques.