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What to Do with Your Tax Refund: 5 Smart Moves for Canadians

  Tax Season · Personal Finance By MoneySavings.ca Editorial Team • May 7, 2026 • 7 min read Tax season is wrapping up across Canada, and for millions of Canadians, that means a refund cheque — or a direct deposit — is on its way. The average Canadian tax refund hovers around $1,800. That's real money. The question is: what's the smartest thing you can do with it? It's tempting to treat a tax refund like "found money" and splurge. But here's the truth — that refund was your money all along. The government was just holding it for you, interest-free. So before it quietly disappears into day-to-day spending, let's look at five moves that will make it work harder for you. $1,800 The average Canadian tax refund — enough to make a meaningful dent in debt, pad an emergency fund, or kick-start your TFSA for the year. 1 Pay Down High-Interest Debt First If you're carrying a balance on a credit card, this should be your very first call. Most Canadian credit car...

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Netanyahu’s Pardon Request Sparks Political Firestorm in Israel

                                            Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon in his years-long corruption trial, a move that has ignited fierce debate across the country. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, is facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases. He has consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting that the proceedings are politically motivated.

In a video statement released by his Likud party, Netanyahu explained that his lawyers had submitted the request to President Isaac Herzog, arguing that the trial was hindering his ability to govern and deepening divisions within Israeli society. “My personal interest was and remains to continue the process until the end, until I am fully acquitted of all charges,” he said. “But the security and political realities, the national interest, require otherwise”.

President Herzog’s office confirmed receipt of the request, describing it as an “extraordinary appeal” with significant implications. The letter from Netanyahu’s lawyers has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for review, after which Herzog will make a decision.

The pardon request comes just weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Herzog to grant clemency, saying Netanyahu should be spared further legal battles. Supporters argue that ending the trial would allow Israel to focus on pressing national and regional challenges. Critics, however, warn that granting a pardon would undermine Israel’s democratic institutions and set a dangerous precedent by placing the prime minister above the rule of law.

The trial, which has dragged on for years, has already polarized Israeli politics and fueled mass protests. Netanyahu’s move is seen by many as a gamble to preserve his political legacy while avoiding a potentially damaging verdict. Whether Herzog grants the pardon or not, the decision will likely shape Israel’s political landscape for years to come.

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