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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
CPA Canada, the national organization that represents chartered professional accountants across the country, has announced that it is cutting 20% of its workforce, or about 80 staff, as it faces a challenging operating environment.
The decision comes as two of the largest provincial oversight bodies, CPA Ontario and the Quebec CPA Order, are preparing to leave CPA Canada by the end of this year, following a disagreement over governance and financial issues.
CPA Canada president and CEO Pamela Steer said in a memo to staff last week that the organization had to streamline its operations “in order to position CPA Canada for long-term sustainability.”
She said that despite many discussions and efforts, it was clear that Ontario and Quebec would not change their current path, which means they will exit the national agreement that was signed in 2013 to unify the various professional accounting organizations and designations.
The split will have significant implications for the accounting profession in Canada, as CPA Canada is responsible for setting standards, coordinating education and exams, and advocating for the public interest, while the regional organizations are responsible for regulation and enforcement.
Both CPA Ontario and the Quebec CPA Order have said that their departure will not undo the unification of the profession, but rather allow them to focus on their own members and stakeholders.
However, CPA Canada has said that their decision puts the profession at risk of fragmentation and inconsistency, and undermines the credibility and reputation of the CPA designation.
The two provincial groups have cited concerns about CPA Canada’s financial transparency regarding education programs, which the national body has disputed. They have also sought stronger representation on the national board, which CPA Canada has said would compromise its independence and accountability.
CPA Canada said it will continue to work with the remaining provincial and territorial bodies to ensure the delivery of high-quality services and programs for its members and the profession. It also said it will explore new opportunities and partnerships to advance the CPA brand and the public interest.
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