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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
Denmark’s Green Revolution: 1 Billion Trees and 10% Farmland Conversion
In a groundbreaking move towards environmental sustainability, Denmark has announced an ambitious plan to plant 1 billion trees and convert 10% of its farmland into forests and natural habitats over the next two decades. This initiative, hailed as the most significant transformation of the Danish landscape in over a century, aims to reduce fertilizer usage and combat climate change.
The agreement, reached by a coalition of Danish lawmakers, allocates 43 billion kroner (approximately $6.1 billion) to acquire land from farmers. This will result in an additional 250,000 hectares (618,000 acres) of forest and the conversion of 140,000 hectares (346,000 acres) of low-lying, climate-damaging soils into natural habitats. Currently, forests cover 14.6% of Denmark’s land, and this initiative will significantly increase that percentage.
Jeppe Bruus, head of Denmark’s Green Tripartite Ministry, emphasized the historical significance of this change, comparing it to the draining of wetlands in 1864. The plan also includes a groundbreaking measure to tax livestock farmers for the greenhouse gases emitted by their animals, starting in 2030, making Denmark the first country to implement such a tax.
This comprehensive approach reflects Denmark’s commitment to leading the way in environmental conservation and climate action, setting a precedent for other nations to follow.
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