5 Things to Know Today Your morning briefing on what's moving Canadian wallets and markets — Thursday, June 5, 2026. 1 / Benefits Your Grocery Benefit Cheque Lands Today Today is the day millions of Canadians have been watching their bank accounts for. The federal government is issuing a one-time Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) top-up to more than 12 million eligible Canadians starting June 5, 2026. The payment equals roughly 50% of your annual GST/HST credit entitlement — so if you normally receive that credit, expect to see a notably larger-than-usual deposit. The numbers: a family of four could receive up to $1,890 in 2026 (including the top-up), while a single person could receive up to $950 . Your bank statement may still label the deposit as "GST/HST Credit" or "GST/HST RC150" — that's normal. The full rebrand to CGEB takes effect July 3, 2026, when the regular quarterly payments resume at a permanent 25% increase for the next five...
Trump's America First Trade Policy Targets Canada's Digital Services Tax
In a move that could further strain trade relations between the U.S. and Canada, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting Canada's digital services tax (DST). The DST, enacted by the Liberal government last June, imposes a three percent tax on revenues over $20 million generated in Canada by foreign-based digital giants with incomes of at least $1.1 billion.
Trump's executive order directs the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments, along with the United States Trade Representative, to investigate whether foreign countries are subjecting American citizens or corporations to discriminatory or extraterritorial taxes. This move is part of Trump's America First Trade Policy, which aims to ensure that America's trading relationships benefit American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses.
Business groups on both sides of the border have opposed the DST, and the Biden administration had previously requested dispute settlement consultations with Canada under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). However, the consultation period ended in November without further action. Trump's executive order could reignite the dispute, with potential tariffs or other unilateral actions against Canada.
The DST is one of the principal frictions in the trading relationship between the U.S. and Canada, and experts believe that Trump's administration is likely to take action until the tax is withdrawn or an agreement is reached. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has urged the Canadian government to scrap the tax in response to Trump's executive order.
As the investigation proceeds, the future of Canada's digital services tax remains uncertain, and the potential for increased tariffs or other trade measures looms large.
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