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Best Cashback Credit Cards in Canada 2026 — Complete Guide

  Published: April 2026 | Reading time: 12 min | Category: Credit Cards, Personal Finance, Money Saving Tips If you're not using a cashback credit card in Canada, you're leaving real money on the table every single month. The best cashback cards in 2026 are paying 2%, 3%, even 4% back on everyday purchases like groceries and gas — expenses you're making anyway. This guide ranks the best cashback credit cards available to Canadians right now, breaks down exactly who each card is best for, and shows you how to stack cards for maximum returns. Why Cashback Cards Beat Points Cards for Most Canadians Travel points cards get all the attention, but cashback is simpler, more flexible, and often more valuable for the average Canadian household. Here's why: No blackout dates, no expiry, no restrictions — cash goes straight to your statement or bank account Easy to calculate value — 2% back on $1,000 = exactly $20. No guessing at "point values" Works for ...

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Understanding the New GST Cuts: What’s Included and What’s Not

 

The Canadian government has announced a temporary Goods and Services Tax (GST) break to help ease the financial burden on Canadians during the holiday season. This initiative, effective from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, aims to provide significant relief by removing the GST/HST on a variety of essential items.

What’s Included in the GST Cuts?

The GST cuts will apply to a broad range of goods, making many everyday purchases more affordable. Here are the key items included:

  1. Groceries: While basic groceries are already GST-free, the new cuts extend to additional food and beverage items, including:

    • Alcoholic beverages (excluding spirits but including wine, beer, ciders, and spirit coolers up to 7% ABV) .
    • Restaurant meals and snacks .
  2. Children’s Essentials:

    • Clothing and footwear designed for children, including baby bibs, bunting blankets, and receiving blankets .
    • Diapers and children’s toys .
  3. Holiday Essentials:

    • Gifts, books, print newspapers, puzzles, and Christmas trees .

What’s Not Included?

Despite the extensive list of items covered, some goods remain subject to GST/HST. These include:

  • Luxury Items: High-end electronics, jewelry, and other luxury goods.
  • Non-Essential Services: Services such as spa treatments, gym memberships, and entertainment tickets.
  • Certain Alcoholic Beverages: Spirits and high-alcohol content beverages are excluded from the tax break .

This temporary GST relief is expected to save Canadians an estimated $1.6 billion over the two-month period, providing much-needed financial relief during a time of year when expenses typically rise .

By understanding what’s included and what’s not, Canadians can better plan their holiday spending and take full advantage of the savings offered by this initiative.


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