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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
Russia's Christmas Day Assault on Ukraine: A Grim Reality
On Christmas Day, Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, targeting key facilities and causing widespread power outages. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes as "inhumane," emphasizing the deliberate timing of the attack to coincide with the holiday.
The assault involved over 70 missiles and more than 100 drones, with significant damage reported in cities like Kharkiv and Dnipro. Despite Ukraine's efforts to intercept many of the missiles and drones, the attack led to severe disruptions in electricity and heating, leaving many Ukrainians without power in freezing temperatures.
This attack marks the 13th major strike on Ukraine's energy sector this year, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country. Ukrainian officials have described the strikes as "Christmas terror," highlighting the ongoing threat posed by Russian aggression.
The international community continues to watch closely as Ukraine works to restore power and provide relief to its citizens amid the ongoing conflict.
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