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Start Saving Now for September: Your RESP Checklist Before the School Year Hits

  Canadian Money Brief · Family Finance September feels a long way off on July 1. That's exactly why now is the right time to look at your child's RESP — not in late August when the school supply list arrives and the grant math gets rushed. If you have a Registered Education Savings Plan (or you've been meaning to open one), here's what to check right now, and why the calendar year — not the school year — is what actually matters. Why July, Not August The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) — the government's 20% match on RESP contributions — runs on the calendar year , not the school year. Grant room for 2026 resets on a January-to-December basis, and it doesn't carry any special "back to school" deadline. But summer is genuinely the best time to check your numbers, for three reasons: You still have six full months left in the year to top up if you're behind. Contributions made now have more time to grow before your child needs the money. You av...

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Seniors Express Frustration Over Exclusion from Federal $250 Cheque Program

 

A growing number of seniors are voicing outrage after discovering they are ineligible for a new federal initiative aimed at distributing $250 relief cheques to certain low-income groups. The program, designed to address rising costs of living, has left many older Canadians feeling overlooked, particularly those on fixed incomes who say they are struggling to make ends meet.

The federal government announced the plan as part of its broader effort to support vulnerable populations during a period of economic uncertainty. However, eligibility criteria for the cheques prioritize younger low-income households and families, excluding many seniors who fall just outside the income thresholds.

“It’s disappointing,” said one senior from Toronto. “We’re already dealing with skyrocketing prices for essentials like food and medication, and now we’re being left behind.” Advocacy groups, including the Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP), have called on the government to expand the program to include older adults, arguing that they face unique financial pressures.

A government spokesperson defended the plan, stating it targets those deemed most in need, but indicated that additional measures to support seniors might be introduced in the future. For now, many older Canadians are calling for immediate action to ensure they are not left out of critical relief efforts.


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