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The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — And It's Paying 25% More

  Sunday, July 19, 2026 If you've relied on the quarterly GST/HST credit, that name is gone for good. Here's what replaced it, how much more it's worth, and whether you need to do anything to get it. For years, the GST/HST credit quietly landed in millions of Canadian bank accounts every three months — a modest, tax-free top-up meant to offset sales tax on everyday purchases. As of this month, that program no longer exists under its old name. It's now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and the federal government has permanently increased the payment by 25%, locked in for five years. If you already qualified for the GST/HST credit, you don't need to apply for anything new. But you should know what changed, because the numbers — and the timeline — are more involved than a simple rename. What actually changed The CGEB was first announced by the federal government in January 2026 as part of a broader affordability push, and it became law with the passa...

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Thousands of Syrians Begin Journey Home from Turkey

 

Hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered at the Cilvegozu and Oncupinar border crossings in southern Turkey on Monday, eagerly awaiting their return home following the fall of President Bashar Assad’s government. Many arrived at the border gates at daybreak, wrapped in blankets and coats, some even setting up makeshift fires to keep warm.

Among the crowd was 28-year-old Muhammed Zin, who fled Damascus in 2016 and has been living in Istanbul. “Assad was shooting us, killing us,” he told the Associated Press. “I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over,” he said.

Seer Ali, 18, who left Damascus six years ago, expressed similar sentiments. “We are very happy, very happy. Not just me, but everyone, all of us Syrians here are very happy,” he said. “Everyone will return, no one will stay here. They will all go to their families.”

Turkish officials have not disclosed the exact number of Syrians who have returned since Assad’s downfall. Authorities have set up checkpoints to ensure only those with proper documentation can advance to the border gate. The fall of Assad has sparked widespread joy among Turkey’s three million Syrian refugees, many of whom have taken to the streets to celebrate.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, “We will continue our efforts to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and to rebuild the country.”

As the first major wave of refugees begins their journey home, the future remains uncertain, but hope and excitement fill the air.




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