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The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — And It's Paying 25% More

  Sunday, July 19, 2026 If you've relied on the quarterly GST/HST credit, that name is gone for good. Here's what replaced it, how much more it's worth, and whether you need to do anything to get it. For years, the GST/HST credit quietly landed in millions of Canadian bank accounts every three months — a modest, tax-free top-up meant to offset sales tax on everyday purchases. As of this month, that program no longer exists under its old name. It's now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and the federal government has permanently increased the payment by 25%, locked in for five years. If you already qualified for the GST/HST credit, you don't need to apply for anything new. But you should know what changed, because the numbers — and the timeline — are more involved than a simple rename. What actually changed The CGEB was first announced by the federal government in January 2026 as part of a broader affordability push, and it became law with the passa...

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Wall Street’s Momentum Cools After Its Latest Record-Setting Week

 

Wall Street, fresh from its recent record highs, has taken a step back as the new trading week begins. The S&P 500 dipped by 15.99 points, representing a 0.3% decline, settling at 5,218.19 in a subdued day of trading. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a 162.26-point drop (equivalent to 0.4%) to reach 39,313.64. The Nasdaq composite also retreated, losing 44.35 points (or 0.3%) to close at 16,384.47.

This cooling momentum comes after a remarkable run for Wall Street, which had been scaling new heights. Investors are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve for any signals regarding potential interest rate cuts. The recent surge in the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen has also raised concerns, prompting speculation about market intervention. The dollar’s ascent to nearly 152 yen—a significant jump from slightly above 130 yen a year ago—has drawn attention. Meanwhile, the euro stands at $1.0818, up from $1.0810.

In Asia, shares exhibited mixed performance. Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined by 1.2%, reaching 40,414.12, as investors booked profits following the index’s recent record-breaking highs. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged up by 0.2% to 16,535.89, while China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.3%, closing at 3,056.52. The Chinese yuan (renminbi) weakened to a four-month low of 7.2282 against the U.S. dollar. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 bucked the trend, rising by 0.5% to 7,811.90. South Korea’s Kospi experienced a slight decline, losing 0.2% to settle at 2,743.04.

As the week unfolds, investors remain watchful for further cues from the Federal Reserve and potential market developments. Wall Street’s recent retreat serves as a reminder that even record-setting rallies can encounter moments of moderation.

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