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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
Israel Approves Ceasefire Deal with Gaza, Hostages to be Released
In a significant move towards peace, Israel’s security cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hamas, paving the way for the release of dozens of hostages held in Gaza. The agreement, which is expected to take effect as early as Sunday, aims to halt the 15-month-long conflict that has caused widespread devastation in Gaza.
Under the terms of the deal, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, and elderly men, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The ceasefire is set to begin with a six-week phase, during which Israeli forces will withdraw from several areas, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes.
The approval of the ceasefire deal comes after intense negotiations and last-minute complications. Despite opposition from hardliners within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, the deal was ultimately approved by the security cabinet and is now awaiting final approval from the full cabinet.
The ceasefire and hostage release are seen as a crucial step towards easing hostilities in the region and providing much-needed humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza. The international community has welcomed the agreement, hoping it will lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East.
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