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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
Ontario Investigates Alberta Recruiter for Supplying Low-Wage Foreign Workers to Canadian Tire
Ontario's Ministry of Labour is currently investigating an Alberta-based recruiter, Allison Jones, for allegedly supplying low-wage foreign workers to Canadian Tire stores across Canada. The investigation was initiated after several workers reported wage reductions and poor working conditions, potentially violating the rules of the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Jones, who owns a recruiting and immigration consulting agency in St. Albert, Alberta, is known for helping franchisees of Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons fill low-wage positions with labor from abroad. The allegations suggest that some workers were misled about their employment terms and had their wages arbitrarily cut.
The investigation highlights the broader issues surrounding the TFWP and the need for stronger regulatory oversight to protect temporary foreign workers from exploitation. As the probe continues, both Ontario and federal authorities are working to ensure that the rights of foreign workers are upheld.
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