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Carney’s Food Affordability Plan: What the New GST Boost and Supply Investments Mean for You

With grocery bills continuing to outpace inflation, the federal government has rolled out a broad affordability package aimed at near-term relief and longer-term food security. For Canadian households, the headline change is a significantly richer GST rebate, paired with new investments meant to stabilize food supply and pricing over time.

The Flagship Measure: A Larger GST Rebate

At the centre of the plan is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, an expanded GST rebate targeted at low- and modest-income Canadians.

In the first year, eligible households will see a substantial one-time increase:

• Individuals: from about $540 to $950

• Families of four: from roughly $1,100 to $1,890

From next year onward, the GST rebate rises by 25 percent annually for four years.

What the Payments Look Like

Tackling Food Costs at the Source

Beyond direct payments, the government is funding supply-side fixes:

• $500 million to help food businesses expand capacity and productivity.

• $150 million Food Security Fund to support greenhouses, abattoirs, and supply chains.

• Immediate tax write-offs for new greenhouses acquired after Nov. 4, 2025.

Support for Food Banks and Communities

An additional $20 million will flow to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, helping food banks and community programs deliver more nutritious food.

Source: CBC News, reporting by Peter Zimonjic

How Beehiiv Reached $1 Million in Revenue in Just 12 Months

Most “overnight success” stories skip the hard parts. This one doesn’t. In My First Million Episode 790, Beehiiv co-founder Tyler Denk explains how the company scaled from $0 to $1M in annual revenue in a single year by focusing on fundamentals most founders ignore.

Early Growth Was Hands-On

The first users came from direct outreach and short customer interviews. One key question drove insight: what almost stopped you from signing up?

Distribution Was Built In

Growth didn’t rely on ads.

• Customers became the marketing channel.

• Founder-written messages built trust.

• Monthly investor updates doubled as storytelling.

Key takeaway: Simple ideas executed relentlessly outperform complex strategies.

Source: My First Million, Episode 790

Mortgage Renewal Is Not a Form Letter. It Is a Financial Decision Point.

For many homeowners, mortgage renewal is treated as routine paperwork. A notice arrives. A signature follows. Life moves on.

That assumption quietly destroys value.

A mortgage renewal is one of the few moments where borrowers can materially improve cash flow, reduce long-term interest costs, and realign debt with real life priorities. Approached passively, it locks in inefficiencies. Approached strategically, it creates leverage.

Below are the most common renewal mistakes professionals see, and how disciplined homeowners avoid them.

1. Waiting for the Lender to Act

By the time a renewal letter arrives, negotiating power has already weakened. Preparing four to six months in advance allows borrowers to assess alternatives, pressure test offers, and make changes deliberately.

2. Confusing Convenience With Value

Staying with the same lender is often easy. It is not always optimal. Comparing options across lenders clarifies true market value, even if the final decision is to stay put.

3. Treating Amortization as Fixed

Renewal allows amortization to be adjusted. Shortening accelerates equity growth. Lengthening improves monthly liquidity. Leaving it unchanged by default is rarely intentional strategy.

4. Ignoring Total Household Debt

Renewal is one of the best moments to evaluate all liabilities together. In certain cases, restructuring higher-interest debt can materially improve cash flow efficiency.

5. Optimizing for Rate Alone

The cheapest rate today does not guarantee the lowest cost tomorrow. Penalties, flexibility, and portability often determine real outcomes over the full term.

Strategic Renewal Framework

✨ Contact Genelle Today

2026 Tax Season Guide: What Canadian Filers Need to Know Before You File

Tax season moves fast. Being prepared before filing opens can mean faster refunds, fewer errors, and less stress dealing with the CRA. Here’s a clear, practical breakdown of what’s new for the 2026 tax-filing season and how to stay ahead.

Key Dates You Cannot Miss

Mark these deadlines now. Missing them costs money.

• February 23, 2026: NETFILE opens for 2025 returns

• April 30, 2026: Filing and payment deadline for most individuals

• June 15, 2026: Filing deadline for self-employed Canadians

• Taxes owing are still due April 30, even if you’re self-employed

What’s Changing This Year

Several updates affect how much tax you pay and how you interact with the CRA.

• Lowest personal tax rate drops to 14.5% for 2025

• New top-up tax credit preserves value of certain credits above $57,375

• Final year of the fuel charge proceeds credit for farmers

• Expanded eligible expenses for the Disability Supports Deduction

Digital-First CRA Services

The CRA is pushing fully digital access.

• Paper copies of tax slips are no longer available by phone

• Notices of Assessment will be digital-only

• Backup multi-factor authentication is now mandatory

• NETFILE access codes are easier to find in My Account

Source: Canada Revenue Agency

Grocery Rebates Explained: Don’t Miss Money You May Already Qualify For

If you buy groceries in Canada, this matters. In our latest TikTok video, we explained how thousands of Canadians qualify for government payments and never receive them simply because their taxes aren’t filed correctly. This isn’t a loophole. It’s missed execution.

Who Qualifies

Eligibility is straightforward:

• You are a Canadian tax resident

• You are 19 or older

Income determines how much you receive, not whether you apply.

@taxmechanic

Canada is paying people for groceries and most Canadians don’t know if they qualify. This explains who’s eligible, how it’s paid, and when... See more

How Payments Work

• Most Canadians do not need to apply

• Payments are issued automatically once taxes are filed

• New residents must file forms RC151 and, if applicable, RC66

If your return isn’t right, the CRA won’t fix it for you. That’s where we step in. Call Us.