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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
Tensions Escalate: Israel Strikes Lebanon Following Rocket Attacks
In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon early Saturday in retaliation for rockets fired into northern Israel. The Israeli military reported intercepting three rockets targeting the town of Metula, marking the first such attack since a fragile ceasefire agreement was reached in November.
The Israeli government has held Lebanon accountable for the incident, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructing the military to act decisively against "dozens of terror targets" in Lebanon. The strikes reportedly targeted Hezbollah positions, though the group has denied involvement in the rocket launches, describing them as "primitive".
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has urged the military to prevent further escalation, emphasizing the country's desire to avoid a return to war. Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon expressed alarm over the violence, warning of the potential for serious regional consequences.
This exchange of fire underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing challenges in maintaining stability along the Israel-Lebanon border. Both nations face mounting pressure to uphold their commitments under the truce, as the international community watches closely.
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