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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
Russian Air Defense Fire Suspected in Azerbaijan Airlines Crash
Aviation experts have raised concerns that Russia's air defense fire may have caused the recent crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, as the nation mourns the loss of 38 lives.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, was diverted to Aktau, Kazakhstan, due to unspecified reasons. Tragically, it crashed while attempting to land, killing 38 of the 67 people on board and injuring all 29 survivors.
Cellphone footage shows the plane making a steep descent before crashing into the ground and exploding. Experts point to holes in the plane's tail section as evidence that it may have been hit by a Russian air defense missile, possibly while Russia was defending against a Ukrainian drone attack.
Azerbaijan observed a nationwide day of mourning, with flags lowered to half-mast and a moment of silence observed across the country. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the weather forced the plane to change its course, but investigations are ongoing.
The Kremlin has urged caution in drawing conclusions before the official investigation is complete. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan demands an official apology and compensation from Russia.
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