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 The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) .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...
The Canadian federal government has recently allocated an additional $36.4 million to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund, a program designed to support individuals who have experienced serious injuries or fatalities related to vaccines since the end of 2020. Here are the key details:
Purpose of the Fund:
- The program was established shortly after COVID-19 vaccines became available to the public.
- It provides financial compensation to people who suffered adverse effects due to Health Canada-approved vaccines.
- The goal is to assist those who were seriously impacted by vaccination.
Funding and Administration:
- The Liberal government initially earmarked $75 million for the first five years of the program.
- A private firm called OXARO manages the program and disburses valid claims originating outside of Quebec.
- To date, OXARO has received $56.2 million from Ottawa and has paid out $11.2 million in compensation.
- Quebec has its own vaccine injury compensation program, which received $7.75 million when the federal program launched.
Recent Funding Boost:
- As part of the federal budget, the government allocated an additional $36 million to OXARO and Quebec.
- This funding covers the next two years of the program.
- The Public Health Agency of Canada contracted OXARO to ensure an impartial claims process.
Eligibility and Claims:
- The program covers injuries and deaths associated with vaccines approved for any illness.
- Eligibility criteria include severe, life-threatening, or life-altering injuries resulting in disability, incapacity, birth defects, or death.
- The available statistics do not specify which vaccines were involved.
Rare Adverse Reactions:
- Serious adverse reactions to vaccines are extremely rare (affecting less than one in a million people).
- Nevertheless, the government recognizes its duty to provide support when such reactions occur.
- Ottawa has also made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for travel and federal public service employment.
In summary, the additional funding aims to ensure that those affected by vaccine-related injuries receive appropriate compensation while maintaining an impartial claims process. The program underscores the importance of vaccine safety and accountability in public health efforts.
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