Canadians who receive the GST benefit will get a one-time top up payment this spring after parliamentarians fast-tracked the legislation to set it motion.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit received royal assent late today, after passing the final vote in the Senate earlier in the day and the House of Commons last week.
It will provide a one-time top-up payment “as early as possible this spring” worth 50 per cent of the credit.
The normal value of the benefit, which is paid to Canadians with low and modest incomes, will also increase by 25 per cent for five years starting in July.
The government says it will help more than 12 million Canadians and that when combined, the measures mean a family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year, and about $1,400 annually for the next four years.
Canadians will not receive the GST/HST credit if their income exceeds approximately $56,181 for a single individual without children, or over $59,481 to $74,201+ for married/common-law couples, depending on the number of children.
The Conservatives helped speed the bill through the House last week, offering their support even though they called it a “Band-Aid solution.”
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