Skip to main content

Featured

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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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

article

Trump’s Misleading Outrage: The Truth About Barron’s Graduation Ban

Former President Donald Trump recently expressed frustration over the possibility of missing his son Barron’s high school graduation due to his ongoing criminal trial. However, let’s set the record straight on what the judge actually said.

The Situation:

  • Trump’s trial centers around allegations that he paid porn actor Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about their alleged affair before the 2016 election.
  • Judge Juan Merchan received requests from Trump’s attorneys to allow him to skip trial proceedings on May 17, the same day as Barron’s graduation.

What the Judge Really Said:

  • Judge Merchan did not outright deny Trump’s request to attend Barron’s graduation.
  • He stated that it might be possible for Trump to attend the celebration, but it would depend on how the trial progresses.
  • Merchan warned that Trump could face arrest if he misses court or disrupts trial proceedings.

Trump’s Spin:

  • Trump spun the situation into an attack on what he called a “scam” trial against him.
  • His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., labeled it “pure evil.”
  • Eric Trump criticized Merchan as “truly heartless” for not allowing a father to attend his son’s graduation.

Critics’ Perspective:

  • Critics pointed out that defendants shouldn’t receive special privileges.
  • Trump’s disingenuous spin whipped up anger on the right, even among his other sons, Don Jr. and Eric.

In summary, while Trump’s outrage may have grabbed headlines, the truth is more nuanced. Judge Merchan didn’t outright ban Trump from attending Barron’s graduation; he simply emphasized the importance of court proceedings. The situation remains fluid, and we’ll see how it unfolds as the trial continues.

Comments