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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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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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Toronto’s Housing Market Plummets to a 13-Year Low Amidst Higher Mortgage Rates

 


Toronto’s housing market experienced a significant decline in 2023, with home sales dropping to a 13-year low. According to a report by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board, the number of home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) fell by 11% compared to the previous year . This decline can be attributed to the rise in mortgage rates, which made it difficult for potential buyers to afford homes.

The average home sold price in the GTA for November 2023 was $1,051,180, which is a 7% drop compared to the previous month . The report also states that the GTA housing market has been in a deep buyer’s market for the past few months, with the sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) being 40% in November 2023. This means that there are comparatively more properties available for purchase than buyers in the market, giving buyers more leverage in negotiating prices and terms. However, the GTA is now once again in a balanced market, with buyers losing favour as sellers regain some control in the market .


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