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You Could Be Owed Up to $5,000: The CRA Data Breach Settlement, Explained

  August 21, 2026 If you had a Government of Canada online account back in 2020, it's worth five minutes to check whether you're eligible for a payout. Claims are now open in an $8.7-million federal settlement tied to a wave of 2020 cyberattacks on Canada Revenue Agency and other Government of Canada accounts. If your CRA My Account, My Service Canada Account, or another GCKey-linked account was compromised, you may be entitled to compensation — in some cases, up to $5,000. Here's what happened, who qualifies, and exactly how to file before the deadline. What happened Between June and August 2020, hackers used "credential stuffing" — testing stolen usernames and passwords from other data leaks against government login pages — to break into thousands of Government of Canada online accounts. In some cases, attackers viewed confidential personal and financial information; in others, they used stolen access to file fraudulent claims for pandemic-era benefits like CERB...

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Winter's Dawn: Celebrating the Solstice

The Winter Solstice, which occurred on December 21st, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, signaling the official start of winter. Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Julia Gomez from USA TODAY explore the significance of this astronomical event and how it is celebrated across different cultures.

The solstice, occurring when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun, brings the least amount of daylight and the longest night. This year, the solstice fell on December 21st at 4:21 a.m. EST, marking the astronomical beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Historically, the Winter Solstice has been a time of celebration and reflection. Ancient civilizations, such as the Romans with their Saturnalia festival and the Norsemen with their bonfires, honored the return of the sun and the promise of longer days ahead. Today, people continue to observe the solstice with various traditions, including gatherings, feasts, and rituals that pay homage to the natural cycles of light and darkness.

The Winter Solstice also serves as a reminder of the delicate balance in nature and the promise of longer days to come. As we embrace the winter season, it’s a perfect opportunity to slow down, find warmth in the company of loved ones, and cherish the cozy moments that this time of year brings.

No matter how you choose to observe this day, the Winter Solstice invites us all to reflect on the passing year and set intentions for the new one. So, light a candle, sip on some hot cocoa, and embrace the magic of winter's arrival.




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