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Canada's New Grocery Benefit Starts July 3 — How Much Will You Get?

  If you've been receiving the GST/HST credit, something is changing on July 3, 2026 — and it's actually good news. The federal government is replacing the old credit with a new program called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and it comes with payments that are 25% larger. More than 12 million Canadians qualify. No application is required. Here's everything you need to know before the first payment lands. What Is the CGEB? The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is the federal government's replacement for the GST/HST credit, which has been around since 1991. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the new benefit on January 26, 2026, and it received Royal Assent on February 12 under Bill C-19. The legislation commits $11.7 billion in additional support to Canadians over six years — $3.1 billion immediately through the one-time June top-up, and $8.6 billion over five years through higher quarterly payments. The name change is deliberate — it signal...

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Wall Street Rises to Add to Last Week’s Gains

 

World shares tracked Wall Street’s advance today, fueled by cooler-than-expected U.S. employment data. Last week, Wall Street had its best day in more than two months, and today’s gains further contributed to the positive momentum.

Key Highlights:

  1. U.S. Markets:

    • The S&P 500 climbed 1% today, adding to last week’s gains.
    • The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5%.
    • The Nasdaq composite surged 1.2%.
    • Treasury yields remained steady in the bond market.
  2. Global Markets:

    • European markets started the day with gains. Germany’s DAX edged 0.1% higher, and the CAC 40 in Paris also saw modest gains.
    • Asian markets performed well, with the Hang Seng in Hong Kong closing 0.4% higher and the Shanghai Composite index surging 1.2% after a weeklong holiday.
    • Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.7%, and Taiwan’s Taiex gained 1%.
    • Markets in Tokyo and South Korea were closed for holidays.
  3. U.S. Employment Data:

    • The latest private sector survey showed that China’s services sector grew at a slower pace in April due to rising costs, although new orders rose and business sentiment improved.
    • The U.S. added 175,000 jobs last month, down sharply from March’s blockbuster increase of 315,000. Average hourly earnings also rose less than expected.
    • The modest increase in hiring suggests that the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes may be impacting the economy, potentially leading to a shift in interest rate policy.
  4. Tech Stocks:

    • Friday’s market rally was widespread, with technology stocks leading the gains.
    • Apple jumped 6% after announcing a mammoth $110 billion stock buyback, despite reporting its steepest quarterly decline in iPhone sales since the pandemic began.

In summary, Wall Street’s positive performance today reflects optimism fueled by economic data and strong tech sector gains. Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s next moves as they consider potential interest rate adjustments.

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