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Mark Carney: The Economist Who Took on Trump and Won

  Mark Carney, a former central banker, has emerged as Canada’s prime minister following a dramatic election that reshaped the political landscape. His victory was fueled by a surge of nationalism in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and trade policies. Trump’s threats to annex Canada as the “51st state” and impose steep tariffs on Canadian goods galvanized voters, turning Carney’s Liberal Party from underdogs to champions of Canadian sovereignty. Carney’s campaign centered on defending Canada’s independence and rebuilding its economy to reduce reliance on the United States. His experience as governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England lent credibility to his promises of economic resilience. In his victory speech, Carney declared, “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never, ever happen”. The election results marked a stunning comeback for the Liberals, who were initially projected to lose to the oppositi...

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CRA Ramps Up Legal Action to Recover COVID Benefit Overpayments

 

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is intensifying its efforts to reclaim overpayments related to pandemic benefits. With more than $9 billion still owed, the agency is taking decisive steps to recoup funds from ineligible recipients.

Starting this July, the CRA will issue legal warnings and employ various means to recover overpayments. These actions may include garnishing wages or withdrawing funds directly from bank accounts. However, the agency emphasizes that it will only pursue legal action against individuals who haven’t responded or cooperated and have the financial capacity to repay.

“Our primary goal is to encourage individuals to contact us so we can work together to find the best way to resolve their debt, ensuring a fair and manageable process for everyone,” says CRA spokeswoman Sylvie Branch.

The CRA remains committed to supporting Canadians who genuinely cannot repay their debt. If you’re facing financial challenges, reach out to the agency to explore repayment options.

Overpayment Breakdown

The CRA is currently seeking approximately $9.53 billion in repayments from ineligible recipients. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): $5.41 billion
  • Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB): $2.67 billion
  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit: $1.25 billion

Efforts to recover overpayments began in May 2022, with letters encouraging voluntary payments. Last year, the CRA escalated its collection efforts, including phone outreach and automatic offsetting of tax refunds and benefits against outstanding debts.

While recipients can request reviews of eligibility conclusions, the CRA’s information typically leaves little room for debate. Most issues are clear-cut.

Remember, if you’ve received pandemic-related benefits and suspect an overpayment, it’s essential to engage with the CRA promptly to find a resolution.



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