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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
Canada Post Strike Threatens to Derail Critical Holiday Season for Retailers
As the holiday season approaches, a strike by over 55,000 Canada Post workers threatens to disrupt deliveries across the country. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) initiated the strike after failed negotiations with the Crown corporation over wages, working conditions, and other issues.
The timing couldn't be worse for retailers, who rely heavily on timely deliveries during this peak shopping period. With mail and parcels not being processed or delivered, businesses are scrambling to find alternative shipping solutions. Rural and remote communities, which depend solely on Canada Post, are expected to be hit the hardest.
While the strike has caused significant concern, Canada Post has assured that government benefit cheques, such as Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit, will still be delivered during the strike. However, the overall impact on retailers and consumers remains uncertain, and the situation is being closely monitored as the holiday season kicks into full gear.
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