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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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 Administration Reverses Controversial Visa Terminations
The Trump administration has reversed its abrupt decision to terminate the legal status of thousands of foreign students studying in the United States. This move follows intense scrutiny from courts and over 100 lawsuits filed by affected students. The terminations, which were linked to minor infractions or unclear reasons, had left many students fearing deportation and unable to continue their studies.
The Justice Department announced the reversal in federal court, stating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is developing a new policy for reviewing and terminating student visa records. Until this policy is finalized, the records of affected students will remain active or be reactivated. However, ICE retains the authority to terminate records for other reasons, such as unlawful activity.
This decision has brought relief to many students and universities, but uncertainty remains about the long-term implications and the scope of the reversal. The administration's initial move had sparked widespread panic and disrupted the lives of countless students, highlighting the challenges of navigating immigration policies in the U.S..
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