Skip to main content

Featured

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...

article

US Claims Russian Air Defenses Downed Azerbaijani Plane

                                         

The United States has suggested that Russian air defenses may have been responsible for the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan earlier this week. The Embraer 190 aircraft, which was en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, killing 38 people and injuring all 29 survivors.

According to White House national security spokesman John Kirby, early indications point to the possibility that the plane was brought down by Russian air defense systems. Kirby emphasized that the U.S. has seen some evidence supporting this theory but declined to provide further details, citing an ongoing investigation.

Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transportation, Rashad Nabiyev, also suggested that the plane was subjected to "external interference" before the crash. Survivors reported hearing loud noises and explosions while the aircraft was circling over Grozny.

The Kremlin has yet to respond to these claims, with Russian officials stating that it is premature to draw conclusions before the investigation is complete.

The incident has raised tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia, with Azerbaijan pausing flights to several Russian cities citing potential flight safety risks.

As the investigation continues, the international community awaits further clarity on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.


Comments