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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
New Union Demands Cast Doubt on LCBO Strike Resolution
The tentative agreement reached between the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) to end the ongoing strike is now in jeopardy. Despite initial optimism, the union has raised concerns over the LCBO’s refusal to sign a return-to-work protocol, a crucial step for the workers to resume their duties.
The strike, which began on July 5, has seen over 9,000 LCBO employees walk off the job, leading to widespread store closures across Ontario. The tentative deal, announced on July 19, included wage increases and other benefits. However, by the afternoon, the union accused the LCBO of bad faith bargaining, claiming the employer introduced new demands post-agreement.
The LCBO, on the other hand, has stated that the union’s additional demands were unexpected and should have been addressed during the initial negotiations. The board plans to file an unfair labour practice complaint against OPSEU.
As both parties return to the bargaining table, the future of the agreement remains uncertain, leaving Ontarians to face continued disruptions in liquor store services.
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