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OAS Payments Are Bigger This July — Here's How Much More You'll Get

  July 21, 2026 If you or someone in your family collects Old Age Security, the deposit landing later this month is larger than the last one. Here's exactly why, and what the new numbers look like. Old Age Security payments went up 1.2% for the July-to-September 2026 quarter — the largest of the four scheduled increases so far this year. Combined with earlier adjustments, that puts OAS 2.3% higher than it was in July 2025. OAS amounts are reviewed every January, April, July, and October to track the Consumer Price Index. When the cost of living rises, the payment rises with it. When it falls, the payment simply holds steady — OAS is protected from ever decreasing. The new maximum monthly amounts Age Group April–June 2026 July–September 2026 Monthly Increase 65 to 74 $743.05 $751.97 +$8.92 75 and older $817.36 $827.17 +$9.81 Seniors 75 and up sit higher because of the permanent 10% top-up the federal government added to that age group's OAS back in July 2022. That bump applies...

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Canada’s economy shrinks in Q3 amid export and consumer woes

 


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Canada’s economy shrinks in Q3 amid export and spending woes

Canada’s economy contracted by 1.1 per cent on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2023, according to Statistics Canada. This was a much weaker result than expected by analysts and the Bank of Canada, which had forecast a slight growth of 0.1 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively.

The main factors behind the economic decline were a drop in exports, a slump in business investment, and a stagnation in consumer spending. Exports fell by 5.1 per cent, reflecting lower shipments of energy products, motor vehicles, and aircraft. Business investment decreased by 10.1 per cent, as firms reduced their spending on machinery and equipment, intellectual property, and non-residential structures. Consumer spending was flat, as households saved more of their income amid rising interest rates.

The only bright spots in the third quarter were government spending, which increased by 7.3 per cent, boosted by a one-time GST/HST credit payment, and residential housing investment, which rose by 8.3 per cent, driven by a surge in new construction.

The Canadian economy also performed poorly compared with the U.S. economy, which grew by 5.2 per cent in the same period. Canada has been more sensitive to the impact of higher interest rates, which have been raised by the Bank of Canada to 5 per cent from 0.25 per cent since early 2022. The central bank has recently signalled that it may pause or reverse its tightening cycle, as inflation has eased and economic growth has faltered.

Some economists believe that the third quarter contraction was a temporary setback and that the economy will rebound in the fourth quarter and beyond. Statistics Canada estimated that GDP grew by 0.2 per cent in October, indicating a modest recovery. However, others warn that the economy may face more headwinds in the new year, such as the ongoing supply chain disruptions, the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, and the uncertainty over the federal fiscal policy.

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