💸 Carney boosts GST payout to help Canadians with groceries

Good morning. The popular American-Italian-inspired restaurant Olive Garden is making a major comeback in Canada, with new locations slated to open in summer 2026. Two confirmed spots are on the way: one at Vaughan Mills in the GTA and another in the Westboro neighbourhood of Ottawa. These will be the first brand-new restaurants under a fresh national expansion strategy.

The centrepiece of Monday’s announcement is a significant enhancement and rebranding of what was formerly the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit.

Called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the program will put more money in the pockets of millions of Canadians starting this spring. The government says more than 12 million individuals and families will receive the boosted payments.

“Our government is taking direct action to make life more affordable for Canadians,” said Carney in the announcement. “We are providing immediate relief on groceries and essentials, while strengthening domestic food production, competition and supply chains.”

So what does the benefit mean for you?

As financial pressures rise, many Canadians feel that they have to delay retirement — whether they want to or not.

On the surface, delaying retirement beyond age 65 can look like a responsible financial move. Working longer likely means higher Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits, more time to save and fewer years drawing down investments.

But focusing only on the numbers misses an important part of the picture. Working longer can introduce non-financial risks — to your health, flexibility and overall quality of life — that may quietly undermine the retirement you’re trying to protect.

Here’s why delaying retirement until 65 isn’t always the safer option — and what to consider instead.

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If you’re heading into retirement with a sense of dread, you’re far from alone. Worrying about money — and whether it will last — is one of the most common concerns Canadians carry into their sunset years.

If you’re lying awake at night thinking about inflation, savings, interest rates or the cost of care as you age, — that's completely normal. Still, retirement isn’t only about how much you’ve saved but also about whether you’ve reached the standard financial and lifestyle benchmarks for potential retirees.

If you’ve hit a few key milestones, it may be a sign that your retirement is more secure than it may feel. Here are five clear signs you’re ready to retire well in Canada in 2026, and why you may be able to stop stressing.