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...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Provincial Directive Curbs AHS Authority Over Private Surgical Contract Negotiations

 


In a significant policy shift, Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange has stripped Alberta Health Services (AHS) of its authority to negotiate contracts with private surgical facilities. According to a government directive obtained by media, the change came after internal concerns—raised by the agency’s then-chief executive—over rising contract costs.

Documents, including a letter from former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos’s lawyer, allege that senior government officials—even involving Premier Danielle Smith’s former chief of staff—intervened in AHS’s procurement process to favor private companies. This interference reportedly undermined AHS’s established negotiation powers and raised serious questions about transparency in the province’s health system. 

A separate report in a Morning Update from Unpublished Newswire reiterated the move, noting that the directive is part of broader reforms aimed at reducing costs by leveraging competitive pricing in surgical services.  Meanwhile, a CityNews investigation has added context to the controversy, citing denials by private surgical providers who label the allegations of sweetheart deals as “false and baseless.” 

Critics and opposition leaders are calling for further inquiry into the decision-making process behind these changes, arguing that the shift could signal a move toward greater privatization of public health services. In contrast, government representatives insist that the directive is intended solely to improve efficiency and ensure more competitive pricing for publicly funded operations.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment