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Canada Groceries & Essentials Benefit: Free Money Hits Your Account June 5 — Are You Getting Yours?

If you're a low- or modest-income Canadian, there's a very good chance the government is about to deposit money directly into your bank account — on June 5, 2026 — with zero application required. It's called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and it's replacing the old GST/HST credit with a bigger, better payout. The first step? A one-time bonus payment arriving in less than two weeks. Here's everything you need to know to make sure you don't miss it. What Exactly Is This Payment? The federal government is transitioning away from the GST/HST Credit and launching the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) starting July 2026. As a bridge to that new program, every current GST/HST credit recipient will receive a one-time lump-sum top-up on June 5, 2026 — equal to 50% of their annual 2025–26 GST/HST credit . Think of it as a bonus cheque (or direct deposit) to help you cover rising grocery and essentials costs right now, before the n...

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Israel Approves New Parcel of West Bank Land for Settlement

 

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared 800 hectares in the occupied West Bank as state land. This move aims to facilitate the use of the ground for settlement building. The announcement comes on the same day that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite growing international opposition, the Israeli government remains determined to press ahead with settlement construction in the West Bank.

The designation of 1,976 acres of land in the Jordan Valley as state land follows a similar decision regarding 300 hectares (740 acres) in the Maale Adumim area of the West Bank. The latter area is crucial to the Palestinians’ vision of a future independent state.

Last month, the United States stated that Israel’s expansion of settlements in the West Bank was inconsistent with international law, aligning with the global consensus that considers these settlements illegal. Israel, however, disputes this view, citing historical and Biblical ties to the land. Meanwhile, the Palestinians view the expansion of settlements as a deliberate Israeli policy aimed at undermining their aspiration for an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned this latest move, describing it as “a continuation of the extermination and displacement of our people from their homeland.”

Despite the controversy, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s declaration underscores the government’s commitment to settlement building in the West Bank. The situation remains highly contentious, with implications for regional stability and peace efforts.

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