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The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — And It's Paying 25% More

  Sunday, July 19, 2026 If you've relied on the quarterly GST/HST credit, that name is gone for good. Here's what replaced it, how much more it's worth, and whether you need to do anything to get it. For years, the GST/HST credit quietly landed in millions of Canadian bank accounts every three months — a modest, tax-free top-up meant to offset sales tax on everyday purchases. As of this month, that program no longer exists under its old name. It's now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and the federal government has permanently increased the payment by 25%, locked in for five years. If you already qualified for the GST/HST credit, you don't need to apply for anything new. But you should know what changed, because the numbers — and the timeline — are more involved than a simple rename. What actually changed The CGEB was first announced by the federal government in January 2026 as part of a broader affordability push, and it became law with the passa...
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LCBO Stores Set to Reopen Tuesday After Resolving Last-Minute Dispute

 

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) have resolved a last-minute dispute, paving the way for LCBO stores to reopen on Tuesday. This resolution comes after a two-week strike that saw over 9,000 workers walk off the job.

The tentative agreement, reached on Friday, initially hit a snag when the union and the LCBO disagreed over the return-to-work protocol. The LCBO accused the union of introducing new monetary demands, while the union maintained that their demands were standard and had been used in previous strikes.

Despite the initial impasse, both parties confirmed on Saturday morning that the dispute had been resolved. Voting on the tentative deal is set to occur over the weekend, and if ratified, unionized workers will return to work on Monday, with stores reopening to the public on Tuesday.

The agreement includes an eight-percent pay raise over three years, the conversion of 1,000 casual employees to permanent part-time status, and the hiring of 60 additional full-time employees in warehouse operations. Additionally, there will be no store closures for the duration of the deal.

A significant point of contention was the expansion of ready-to-drink beverages into grocery and convenience stores. The Ford government expedited this timeline, allowing licensed Ontario grocery stores to sell these beverages ahead of schedule. A non-binding committee will be formed to determine the best way to implement these plans.

With the resolution of this dispute, Ontarians can look forward to shopping at LCBO stores again, knowing that their purchases support public services.


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