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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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Your daily horoscope: August 17, 2024

 

HOROSCOPES IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY

Each birthday is a milestone but you can sense that this anniversary is of special significance. If you make the most of your many opportunities over the coming year your life will be transformed in ways that seem miraculous. Make magic happen.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20):

Don’t waste your time complaining about other people’s behaviour this weekend because it won’t make any difference. Instead, save your breath and your energy and focus on a creative activity that makes you feel as if you are doing something positive in life.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21):

Someone you socialize with will say controversial things for the fun of it this weekend and if you are smart you won’t take a word of it seriously. No matter how outrageous their claims may be don’t rise to the bait. Laugh at them instead.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21):

A work-related issue is not as bad as you think it is, so stop worrying about it and focus instead on people and activities that make you happy. Your mind creates your reality, so be positive in thought and deed and don’t forget to smile!

CANCER (June 22 - July 23):

You need to be careful with money over the next few days because both the approaching full moon and Mercury’s retrograde phase will make it all too easy to waste your resources on things you don’t need – and on people who do not deserve your generosity.

LEO (July 24 - Aug. 23):

The sun in your sign at this time of year makes you eager to push ahead with your plans but other influences are likely to frustrate you over the next 48 hours. That’s okay. Just because the clock is ticking does not mean you have to hurry.

VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23):

A half-hearted effort is better than no effort at all, so force yourself to at least get started on a chore of some kind this weekend. Once you get into a rhythm you may be surprised to discover that it’s not such a boring job after all.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23):

Friends and loved ones could be rather demanding this weekend and there will be times when you are inclined to tell them to get off your back. A better response might be to say the words they want to hear and then do things your own way anyway.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22):

Your enemies are few and your friends are many, so why are you so bothered about those who oppose you? The message of the stars today is that you need to lighten up a little. You don’t need to spend every last moment of your life on edge.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21):

What a colleague or maybe even your employer tells you today will most likely annoy you but don’t get so uptight about it that you neglect to look ahead and see where this turn of events might lead. It could nudge you in a profitable new direction.


CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20):

It may seem as if everyone but you knows what is going on at the moment but there is no need to panic. Partners, colleagues and loved ones are as much in the dark as you are, only they tend to disguise that fact better than you do!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19):

If you rush around trying to get fifty things done at the same time today you will quickly wear yourself out. Instead, focus on the two or three aims that are of most importance to you and forget about the rest. No one expects you to be Superman!

PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20):

Your head may be full of big ideas but can you be sure they are good ideas? Mercury’s retrograde phase means your mind may not be as sharp as you would like it to be, so maybe get a second opinion before embarking on anything new.

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