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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
WestJet Mechanics Strike: Over 150 Flights Cancelled Ahead of Long Weekend
In an unexpected turn of events, WestJet mechanics have gone on strike, leading to the cancellation of at least 150 flights starting this Saturday. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) initiated the strike due to the airline’s “unwillingness to negotiate with the union,” making the strike inevitable. This move followed a federal government order for binding arbitration after two weeks of turbulent discussions with the union.
Calgary-based WestJet expressed extreme outrage at the mechanics’ actions and vowed to hold AMFA accountable for the stress and costs incurred. Last year, WestJet narrowly averted a strike during the May long weekend, but this time, over 20,000 travelers will be impacted by the cancellations.
As the Canada Day long weekend approaches, passengers are left wondering about their travel plans, while the airline grapples with the unexpected labor disruption.
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