Skip to main content

Featured

Canada's New Grocery Benefit Starts July 3 — How Much Will You Get?

  If you've been receiving the GST/HST credit, something is changing on July 3, 2026 — and it's actually good news. The federal government is replacing the old credit with a new program called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and it comes with payments that are 25% larger. More than 12 million Canadians qualify. No application is required. Here's everything you need to know before the first payment lands. What Is the CGEB? The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is the federal government's replacement for the GST/HST credit, which has been around since 1991. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the new benefit on January 26, 2026, and it received Royal Assent on February 12 under Bill C-19. The legislation commits $11.7 billion in additional support to Canadians over six years — $3.1 billion immediately through the one-time June top-up, and $8.6 billion over five years through higher quarterly payments. The name change is deliberate — it signal...

article

UN Halts Aid Shipments Through Gaza’s Main Crossing Over Safety Concerns

 

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has announced the suspension of aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing, Gaza's primary cargo route, citing severe safety concerns. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, stated that the decision was made due to the threat posed by armed gangs who have looted recent aid convoys.

The suspension comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the cold, rainy winter and the ongoing conflict. Experts have already warned of potential famine in the northern parts of Gaza, which have been almost completely isolated by Israeli forces since early October.

Lazzarini pointed out that the route leading to Kerem Shalom has become too dangerous, with nearly 100 trucks being looted in mid-November and another smaller shipment stolen just recently. He also criticized Israeli policies, claiming they have contributed significantly to the breakdown of law and order in Gaza.

The suspension of aid shipments is expected to worsen the already dire situation in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are living in squalid tent camps and relying heavily on international food aid.



Comments