ETA Canada News

Starting in July 2025, Canadians will see an increase in several federal benefits and tax rebates as the government adjusts them to reflect the rising cost of living. Since 2018, Ottawa has indexed benefit amounts annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure they keep pace with inflation. A spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) explained that this “indexation” raises both the maximum benefit amounts and income thresholds. For the new benefit year beginning in July, Canadians will receive a 2.7% increase in several key benefits.

Among these is the GST/HST credit, a quarterly tax-free payment aimed at helping low- and moderate-income households. With the 2.7% adjustment, eligible recipients can now receive up to $533 for a single person, $698 for a married or common-law couple, and $183 per child under 19. The Canada Workers Benefit Advance (ACWB), an advance on the refundable Canada Workers Benefit tax credit for low-income workers, will also see a corresponding increase.

Families receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will benefit from a 2.7% raise. The annual amount for children under age 6 will increase from $7,787 to $7,997 (about $666 monthly), while those with children aged 6 to 17 will see payments rise from $6,570 to $6,748 (or $562 monthly). Seniors will also benefit from these adjustments. The Old Age Security (OAS) payment will increase by 1% in the July–September quarter, contributing to a total 2.3% increase for the year. Additionally, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments are set to rise by 2.6% in 2025. These updates aim to support Canadians more effectively as they navigate the continued pressures of inflation and the rising cost of living.

The Canadian federal government will officially advance its promise of middle-class tax cuts tomorrow, July 1, providing personal income tax cuts to tens of millions of taxpayers across the country.

According to the Ministry of Finance announcement, the federal minimum personal income tax marginal rate will be reduced from 15% to 14%, and the tax cut will apply to the first $57,375 of personal taxable income starting from the 2025 tax year, regardless of the taxpayer’s annual income.

The federal Ministry of Finance said the tax cuts are expected to benefit nearly 22 million Canadians, with most of the benefits going to those in the top two tax brackets, with taxable incomes below $114,750 in 2025, and almost half going to those in the first tax bracket, with taxable incomes of $57,375 and below.

The government estimates that this measure will save Canadians more than $27 billion in taxes over five years, with individual tax savings of up to $420 and couples saving up to $840 by 2026.Since the policy is implemented in mid-2025, the effective average tax rate for the whole year of 2025 will be 14.5%, and from 2026, the annual applicable tax rate will officially drop to 14%. The tax rate applicable to most non-refundable tax credits will also remain the same as the lowest tax bracket.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will update its withholding tax tables for July to December 2025, and employers and payroll administrators will be able to withhold taxes at a new rate of 14% starting July 1. This means: Starting July 1, individuals with employment income or other income subject to withholding will have their wage withholding tax calculated at 14%.

If the tax rates are not updated immediately, taxpayers will receive a tax refund when they file their 2025 taxes in the spring of 2026.Earlier this month, the Canadian House of Commons unanimously passed the Liberal Party’s tax cut bill.

However, some experts pointed out that although the tax cuts are helpful, they are still not strong enough to cope with the current cost of living crisis, and called on the government to further increase benefits, tax credits and affordable housing support.

Canada Post and its second largest union, the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA), have finally reached a new collective agreement after 18 months of negotiations.

The agreement covers three years of 11 per cent wage increases for more than 8,500 employees between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2026, and will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. These employees are primarily responsible for managing postal services in rural Canada.

Canada Post said in a written statement that the agreement is a positive development in labor negotiations, which were at an impasse early in the process and ultimately referred to a federal arbitrator. The arbitrator noted that the Industrial Inquiry Committee (IIC) report and its “dark conclusions” had an impact on the negotiations, but that the parties had demonstrated that collective bargaining was effective even under the challenging circumstances outlined in the report.

Negotiations between Canada Post and its largest union, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), are ongoing, and a vote on the latest terms will take place “as soon as possible.”

Quebec police launched a search and rescue operation in the Natashquan area on Saturday (June 21) after a helicopter crashed into a lake and four people were missing.

Police said the helicopter, which was operated by Air medic, crashed shortly after take-off near Lac Watshishou, more than 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal, around 10:30 p.m. Friday while performing a medical evacuation.

Police spokeswoman Elizabeth Marquis-Guy confirmed that there were five people on board, one of whom was a man who had been rescued and sent to hospital for treatment. His condition is currently stable, and his life is not in danger.

As of Saturday, the whereabouts of the remaining four people were still unknown. Police planned to conduct a blanket search of a forest area in the accident area.”Airmedic is working closely with the authorities and first responders to respond to the incident and provide the support needed,” Airmedic spokeswoman Raphaele Bourgault said in an emailed statement.” Further information about the incident will be released as soon as it is confirmed. All our thoughts and concerns are with those affected.”

Airmedic is a private air medical service company headquartered in Quebec, operating a variety of rescue vehicles including fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, with operations covering many locations in Canada.

The recent surge in prices has put pressure on many Canadian families. But there is good news: the Canadian federal government will issue a new round of GST rebates (GST/HST Credit) to eligible people on July 4 (Friday), and the amount will be increased by 2.7% this time!

This money is a tax-free quarterly subsidy, mainly to help low-income and middle-income families relieve the tax burden on daily expenses. If you are eligible, you will soon see this money in your bank account.

Who can receive this money?

According to federal government regulations, you need to meet one of the following conditions:

Be 19 years of age or older and a Canadian resident for tax purposes in the month before and during the month of payment.

If you are under 19, you may qualify if you: Have (or have had) a spouse or common-law partner; are the child’s parent and live (or have lived) with the child; If you are a joint parent, you may be able to receive half of the tax refund each. At the same time, the amount of the tax refund will be determined based on your family’s net income.

How much money can I get?

According to this year’s 2.7% increase, you can get up to: Single person: Up to $533 Married or in a common-law partnership: Up to $698 Each child under 19: Additional $183 Most people don’t need to apply separately. As long as you file your taxes, the government will automatically help you assess whether you are eligible.

When is the next payment?

After the receipt on July 4, the last GST refund for 2025 will be issued on October 3. Friends who have not received the refund can check their situation on the CRA official website or account. In addition to the GST refund, the Canadian government may also distribute money this month through various channels such as the Canadian Child Benefit (CCB) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Don’t forget to check if you have any other subsidies received!

Vancouver Police announced on June 6 that it will be installing additional security cameras in the city’s Downtown East side area.

The new cameras are at the intersections of Main Street and Hastings Street, and Carrall Street and Hastings Street, with four at each intersection, for a total of eight high-mounted security cameras.　According to the announcement, the cameras are intended to deter violence and record evidence in criminal cases. They will only film public places and will not record audio. In addition, access to video recordings will be limited to authorized police personnel, and recordings will be automatically overwritten after four days unless needed for a criminal investigation.

The cameras were installed in response to a high number of violent incidents targeting residents and police officers in the area. The Downtown East side accounts for 3% of Vancouver’s total population and 2% of its area, but 30% of the city’s violent crimes occur in this area.

In particular, the areas around the two intersections where the cameras were installed have some of the highest crime rates in the city. So far in 2025, there have been 225 violent crimes within one block of the cameras, including 14 robberies, 115 assaults, and one murder.

King Charles II of the United Kingdom, head of state of Canada, declared the opening of the 45th Parliament in the Senate Chamber in Ottawa and read the State of the Nation Address. The State of the Nation Address is written by the Prime Minister and his aides and is usually read by the Governor General of Canada. This was the third State of the Nation Address by the British monarch, the previous two being delivered by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 and 1977.

King Charles, wearing the Order of Canada around his neck, gave a speech. While outlining the policy direction of the ruling Liberal Party, he also indirectly touched on the tariffs and “51st state” comments made by US President Donald Trump.

The King referred to a speech his mother, Queen Elizabeth, gave about 70 years ago, in which she said, “No nation can stand alone,” in response to the international situation at the time. He said, “I am proud that Canada has continued to be an example to the world in its actions and values. As our national anthem says, the true North is strong and free.”

The visit was made at the request of Prime Minister Mark Carney and comes amid rising tensions with the US. During the election campaign, Carney positioned himself as a man who would stand up to President Trump and promote his commitment to protecting sovereignty.

Thousands of people gathered on Wellington Street in Ottawa to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen as they made their way to the speech in a horse-drawn carriage. After the speech, he visited the War Memorial and laid a wreath with the words “In eternal memory, Charles.”

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim issued a statement calling on the state and federal governments to take “concrete action” to prevent people at high risk of reoffending from being released from custody.

This follows the release of the suspect in the random assault that took place on April 15th at the Seawall in Stanley Park. According to the Vancouver Police, the suspect in the incident, Peterhans Nung (34 years old), was charged with “assault occasioning bodily harm” but was released on bail on April 23rd. The suspect was then transferred to a medical facility but was released on May 20th and will be under house arrest in Vancouver from now on.

The decision comes as a bail hearing approaches for Hartley Ronald Duckhorn, 35, who was charged with sexually assaulting and robbing a woman he did not know in a women’s locker room near Stanley Park’s Second Beach Pool on May 19. Duckhorn has also been convicted of assaulting a woman near a SkyTrain station in Surrey in 2020.

“While investigative agencies are doing their job by identifying and arresting suspects, the justice system repeatedly fails victims and releases people at high risk of reoffending back into society,” said Mayor Shim, expressing concern that people will lose faith in the justice system if perpetrators are quickly released.

“Attorney General Niki Sharma should provide a satisfactory explanation to the public as to why this continues,” he said.

A regular passenger service between Toronto and Niagara Falls is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The project, which will utilize state-of-the-art amphibious transportation, will connect the two regions in just 30 minutes, targeting both tourism and commuter demand. At an event held at the Toronto Chamber of Commerce on May 28, Hover link Ontario officially announced a 30-year contract with Ports Toronto, giving the project a boost.

Chris Morgan, founder and CEO of Hoverlink, called the plan “a new era in rapid transit” and said it would be “a turning point for economic growth and tourism, beyond just a transportation project.”

Hoverlink will be the first company to operate a regular passenger hovercraft service in North America.

The hovercraft, which is used by the Canadian Coast Guard for rescue and de-icing operations, is a vehicle that can travel on water, ice, and land, floating about 1.8 metres above the water surface by creating a cushion of air under its hull.

Summary of Key Features

Route: Toronto Billy Bishop Airport ↔ St. Catharines Port Weller Terminal

Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

Capacity: 180 passengers + crew

Frequency: 48 times a day, 365 days a year

Fare: To be set at the same rate as local public transportation (specific pricing not yet determined)

Terminal Connection: Own shuttle bus operation within the Niagara region

Destinations: Niagara Falls Hilton Hotel, downtown, Fort George, Niagara College, etc.

Collaboration with other shuttle companies is also being pursued.

Toronto citizens will be able to easily visit Niagara wineries and resorts, and Niagara residents will be able to expand their employment and settlement opportunities,” said Morgan, CEO. The company expects that when fully operational, it will reduce the number of vehicles on the QEW Highway by 8,000 per day. “

Previous failures become the foundation for new successes,” said Erica Potts, President of Hoverlink. “We will make transportation fun again. We are also planning special operations with DJs on board for concertgoers.”

Canada Soccer has recorded a deficit of $4 million (about 5.4 billion won) in 2024, up from $2.5 million in 2023, but slightly lower than the $4.2 million projected earlier this year. The association said it covered the deficit with existing cash reserves of $5.9 million.

“While it was better than expected, operating at this level of deficit is not sustainable,” said Kevin Blue, CEO of Canada Soccer. “We plan to reduce the deficit by 2025 and achieve a balanced budget by 2026.” The association projects a deficit of about $2.4 million in 2025.

The association’s total revenue for 2024 was $37.54 million, while expenses were $41.12 million. Both revenue and expenses increased compared to the previous year. Revenue included $7.2 million in membership fees, $15.9 million in commercial and other revenue, $3.7 million in government grants and $10.7 million in grants from FIFA and CONCACAF. About $2 million of that was in charitable donations, which the association said total more than $10 million in the coming years.

Those donations also helped to recruit recently appointed national team coaches Jesse Marsh and Casey Stoney.

Most of the spending was on national team operating expenses, at $21.1 million, and general administrative expenses, at $6 million. Meanwhile, the Canadian Soccer Association receives between $3 million and $4 million annually in broadcast and sponsorship revenue from Canada Soccer Business (CSB) . However, the contract has been criticized by players as “holding back the development of Canadian soccer,” and the two sides are in talks to restructure the contract.

The CSB contract runs until December 1, 2027, with an option to extend to 2037 at the discretion of the CSB. The association also received an interest-free loan of $5 million (USD) from FIFA in June 2023 to help cushion the financial impact of COVID-19. $4 million will be used to support national teams across all age groups, and $1 million will be used to rehire essential personnel.

Repayment will be made in annual instalments of $1 million from 2027 to 2031.Despite the current financial uncertainty, the CSA is aiming to turn a profit in the future through stable investments and improved financial structure.