Thursday, July 9, 2026 Every July, a wave of federal benefit payments resets for the new benefit year — and 2026 brings one of the biggest shifts in years. Between a permanent 25% boost to the old GST/HST credit, a fresh Canada Child Benefit increase, and the largest quarterly OAS bump of the year, millions of Canadian households will see different numbers land in their accounts this month. Here's what actually changed, and what to check in your own CRA account. The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) . It's not a new program from scratch — it runs on the same CRA infrastructure and eligibility rules — but the payment amounts are 25% higher, and that increase is locked in for five years. The first CGEB payment went out on July 3, 2026. Under the new structure: A single individual with no children can receive up to roughly $679 per year (about $170 per quart...
Travel Insurance: A Must-Have When Travelling Outside Canada
Yes, you should buy travel health insurance before you leave Canada even for a day in the United States. Your Canadian health insurance may not pay your medical bills while you’re outside Canada. Your provincial or territorial health plan may cover none, or only a small part, of the costs of your medical care abroad. It will never pay your bills up front. Foreign hospitals can be very expensive and may require immediate cash payment. In some countries hospitals and clinics will not treat you if you do not have enough insurance or money to pay your bills. The Government of Canada will not pay your medical bills.
You can buy travel insurance through your travel agent, insurance broker, employer’s insurance provider or credit card company. Your travel health insurance policy should always cover the following 3 things: Medical evacuation, Pre-existing medical conditions and Repatriation in case of death.
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