Today marks the commencement of grocery benefit payments for eligible Canadians as part of the federal Liberal government's affordability initiatives. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced these top-up payments for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit back in January. Previously referred to as the GST/HST credit, this program offers financial assistance primarily to lower-income households to help manage the rising cost of living. It is estimated that around 12 million Canadians are eligible for this one-time benefit, with payment amounts dependent on household size. A single adult without children could receive up to $267, while a couple with two children may get a maximum of $533.
In related trade news, Canada's business community is advocating for a trade agreement that allows for the uninhibited flow of goods to the U.S. without tariffs. Candace Laing, CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, has expressed hope for a renewal of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, although she acknowledges that Canada may need to accept some tariffs in negotiations that could take several months. The formal review of the trade agreement is set to begin on July 1, coinciding with recent proposals from the Trump administration for a potential 10 percent additional tariff on Canada and other nations. Fortunately, the majority of Canadian goods exported to the U.S. remain compliant with the existing agreement and thus are exempt from additional levies.
In Quebec, Health Minister Christian Dubé is poised to introduce a bill aimed at banning energy drinks for teenagers. The move comes after the tragic death of 15-year-old Zachary Miron, who reportedly died after consuming a can of Red Bull while on ADHD medication. The coroner's report indicated that the combination of the medication and caffeine likely resulted in an arrhythmia, which led to his untimely demise. Although some legislators, such as Maïté Blanchette Vézina from the Conservative Party, support the ban, she has indicated a desire for additional debate to postpone the legislation until fall.
On the economic front, Statistics Canada is expected to release the labour market report for May today. Analysts surveyed by Reuters anticipate a modest addition of 10,000 jobs after the previous month witnessed a loss of nearly 18,000 positions. They predict the unemployment rate will remain steady at 6.9 percent. Economists have noted that the first few months of 2026 were particularly challenging for employers due to the conflict in the Middle East, which contributed to rising everyday goods prices, alongside uncertainties regarding U.S. trade as the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement review approaches in July. This jobs report is significant as it comes just ahead of the Bank of Canada's interest rate decision, which is widely expected to remain unchanged at 2.25 percent.
In sports, Canada’s women's volleyball team achieved a historic victory on Thursday, defeating the United States for the first time in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League. The match, held at Centre Videotron, concluded with a 3-0 sweep (25-22, 25-22, 30-28). Canada demonstrated resilience by making a comeback from a 20-14 deficit in the third set. This triumph followed a previous 3-1 loss to Germany, and the team is set to play against France next on Saturday.
