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Canada's New Grocery Benefit Starts July 3 — How Much Will You Get?

  If you've been receiving the GST/HST credit, something is changing on July 3, 2026 — and it's actually good news. The federal government is replacing the old credit with a new program called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and it comes with payments that are 25% larger. More than 12 million Canadians qualify. No application is required. Here's everything you need to know before the first payment lands. What Is the CGEB? The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is the federal government's replacement for the GST/HST credit, which has been around since 1991. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the new benefit on January 26, 2026, and it received Royal Assent on February 12 under Bill C-19. The legislation commits $11.7 billion in additional support to Canadians over six years — $3.1 billion immediately through the one-time June top-up, and $8.6 billion over five years through higher quarterly payments. The name change is deliberate — it signal...

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Drone Strike Hits Aid Ship Bound for Gaza, Raising Humanitarian Concerns


A vessel carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was struck by drones while navigating international waters off Malta early Friday, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the group organizing the shipment. The attack caused a fire onboard, which was later brought under control, but the ship remains at risk of sinking due to damage sustained in the strike.

The ship, named *Conscience*, was carrying 30 international human rights activists alongside aid supplies intended for Gaza. The coalition reported that the drone strike appeared to have specifically targeted the ship’s generator, leaving it without power and causing a breach in the hull. The vessel issued an SOS distress call, prompting Cyprus to dispatch a rescue vessel to assist.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding humanitarian aid access to Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has led to severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has long campaigned against Israel’s blockade of Gaza, with previous attempts to deliver aid by sea facing similar interventions.

Authorities have yet to confirm who was responsible for the drone attack, and there were no immediate reports of casualties. The Israeli military has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident. 

The strike has intensified concerns over the safety of humanitarian missions attempting to reach Gaza, as aid groups warn that the humanitarian response in the region is on the verge of collapse. 


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