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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
In a surprising turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to participate in two general election debates. The first debate is scheduled for June 27, hosted by CNN, and the second will take place on September 10, hosted by ABC. This sets the stage for their first presidential face-off, just over a month away.
The quick agreement on the debate timetable followed Biden’s announcement that he would not participate in the fall presidential debates sponsored by the nonpartisan commission that has organized them for more than three decades. Instead, Biden’s campaign proposed that media outlets directly organize the debates between the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees.
The unusually early timing of the first debate means that neither Biden nor Trump will have formally accepted their party’s nomination. Hours after Biden’s announcement, he accepted an invitation from CNN, playfully adding, “Over to you, Donald.” Trump, who had previously insisted he would debate Biden anytime and anywhere, confirmed his participation on Truth Social, saying, “Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!” Soon after, they agreed to the second debate on ABC.
The swiftness with which these debates were arranged reflects each candidate’s strategy. Trump and his team believe the debates will highlight voters’ concerns about Biden’s age and competence, while Biden’s team aims to remind voters of why they voted Trump out of the White House four years ago. These debates are particularly crucial in a year when voters express underwhelming enthusiasm for their choices and have concerns about the candidates’ advanced ages—Biden is 81, and Trump is 77.
As the election season heats up, all eyes will be on these debates, where the two candidates will face off in a high-stakes showdown. The outcome could significantly impact the trajectory of the 2024 election, making these debates a critical moment on the political calendar.
Stay tuned for more updates as the candidates prepare to spar on the national stage!
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