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Why Your Grocery Bill Keeps Rising — And What You Can Do About It

  It's not just gas. Canada's food inflation hit its highest pace in over a year in May 2026 — and produce prices are leading the charge. MoneySavings.ca  |  June 27, 2026 If your grocery receipts have been giving you sticker shock lately, you're not imagining things. Canada's official inflation figures, released by Statistics Canada on June 22, confirm that food prices are climbing faster than the overall cost of living — and have been for 16 consecutive months . If you're trying to figure out why your weekly shop costs so much more than it did a year ago, here's a plain-English breakdown — and some practical steps you can take to soften the blow. By the Numbers — May 2026 (Statistics Canada) Overall CPI: +3.2% year over year (highest since December 2023) Grocery prices (food purchased from stores): +4.3% year over year Fresh vegetables: +9.0% year over year Fresh fruit: +5.3% year over year Tomatoes: +45.2% year over year Lettuce: +10.7% year over year G...

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What Happens If You Don’t File Your Taxes in Canada?

 

As the April 30 tax deadline approaches, it’s crucial to understand the consequences of not filing your tax return in Canada. Whether you owe money or not, failing to meet the deadline can lead to serious repercussions. Let’s dive into what you need to know:

  1. Late Filing Penalty:

    • If you owe taxes and miss the filing deadline, the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) imposes a late filing penalty. This penalty is calculated as follows:
      • Five percent of your 2023 balance owing.
      • Additional one percent for each full month you file after the due date, up to a maximum of 12 months.
    • In total, you could end up paying 17 percent of any balance you owe.
  2. Interest Charges:

    • The CRA charges compound daily interest on any balance owing for 2023 that you’re unable to pay by the April 30 deadline.
    • The interest rate is approximately 10 percent, and it accumulates daily starting from May 1, 2024.
  3. Severe Actions for Consistent Late Filers:

    • If you consistently file late or ignore repeated requests, the CRA can take more severe actions:
      • Garnishing wages.
      • Freezing bank accounts.
      • Placing liens on properties.
      • In extreme cases, tax evasion or fraud charges, which may lead to jail time.
  4. Benefits at Risk:

    • Even if you don’t owe money, timely filing is essential to maintain benefits such as:
      • Canada Child Benefit (CCB).
      • Provincial and territorial payments.
    • Failure to file could result in losing these benefits.

Remember, meeting the tax deadline is crucial to avoid penalties, interest, and potential legal consequences. Whether you owe money or not, file your taxes on time to stay on the right side of the CRA! 

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