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Budget 2026 Brings a Second Grocery Top-Up: Who Gets It and How Much

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Budget 2026  |  November 6, 2026 Another grocery cheque is on the way. In Thursday's federal budget, Ottawa proposed a second one-time top-up to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), a payment worth half the benefit's annual value, expected to land in early 2027. $339 budget estimate, qualifying single person $679 budget estimate, couple with two children Early 2027 expected timing, exact date not announced $4.1B cost of the expanded program What Ottawa actually announced Budget 2026, a 511-page document titled "Masters of our Destiny," is mostly about investment and productivity. But tucked into its affordability measures is a repeat of something Canadians have already seen this year. The government proposes a one-time payment equal to half of the CGEB's annual value, and the Canadian Press reports it is expected in early 2027. A similar payment went out in June. That June payment was a one-time top-up equal to 50% of t...

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Canada's Unemployment Rate Hits 6.8% Amidst Job Market Challenges


Despite a significant increase in hiring, Canada's unemployment rate rose to 6.8% in November, marking the highest level since January 2017, excluding the pandemic period. The economy added 51,000 jobs last month, with most of the gains in full-time employment. However, the rise in unemployment was driven by more people entering the job market, reflecting ongoing challenges in the labor market.

The Bank of Canada is closely monitoring these developments as it prepares for its upcoming interest rate decision. High interest rates have cooled the labor market over the past year, leading to longer periods of unemployment for many Canadians. The job report also highlighted that 46.3% of unemployed Canadians in November had not worked in the last year or had never worked, up from 39.5% a year ago.

As the country navigates these economic headwinds, the focus remains on balancing job growth with inflation control and interest rate adjustments.




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