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  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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...

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How to Boost Your Fitness with 30-Second Movement Snacks

If you want to get fitter and healthier this year, you don’t need to spend hours at the gym or follow a strict diet. You can improve your well-being by adding some simple movement snacks to your daily routine.

Movement snacks are short bursts of activity that you can do throughout the day, such as climbing stairs, doing squats, or stretching. They can help you increase your energy, improve your mood, and enhance your cardiorespiratory fitness.

According to a study by McMasters University, even 20-second intervals of vigorous stair climbing, done three times a day, three days a week, can improve your fitness by 5% in six weeks. That’s a significant benefit for a minimal time investment.

To make movement snacks a habit, you can use a technique called habit stacking, which involves linking a new behavior to an existing one. For example, you can do some push-ups while waiting for your coffee to brew, or some lunges while brushing your teeth. The idea is to make movement a natural part of your day, rather than a chore.

Of course, movement snacks are not a substitute for regular exercise, which is essential for your overall health and wellness. But they can be a great way to supplement your workouts, or to get started on your fitness journey. So why not give them a try and see how they make you feel? You might be surprised by the results.

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