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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
Trump's Tariff Tango: A Chaotic Dance of Trade Policies
The Trump administration's tariff plans have left many scratching their heads. With a schedule that seems to shift as often as the wind, businesses and governments alike are struggling to keep up. The latest development involves a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, set to take effect on March 4. This move, according to President Trump, is aimed at combating the flow of fentanyl into the United States, despite evidence suggesting that Canada is not a significant source of the drug.
Adding to the confusion, Trump has also announced reciprocal tariffs on all trading partners, scheduled for April 2. These overlapping deadlines and mixed messages have created uncertainty in international trade, a hallmark of Trump's policy approach.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to retaliate with tariffs on American goods if these measures proceed. Meanwhile, businesses on both sides of the border are bracing for economic turbulence.
The ever-changing nature of these tariffs underscores the unpredictability of the current trade landscape. As deadlines loom, the world watches to see how this high-stakes game of economic brinkmanship will unfold.
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