Secretary of State McLean highlights Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit top-up coming June 5
April 17, 2026 Victoria, British Columbia Employment and Social Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors), highlighted that eligible Canadians will receive a one-time GST/HST credit top-up on June 5, 2026. The payment is part of the transition to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit which will replace the GST/HST credit in July 2026. This top-up will be equal to 50% of the GST/HST credit for the 2025-26 benefit year.
Starting July 3, 2026, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will be offering higher payment amounts while keeping the eligibility and structure of the GST/HST credit. Quarterly payments will increase by 25% for the next five years.
Together, the one time and quarterly payments will offer ongoing financial support to more than 12 million recipients.
Since 2020, food prices have risen faster than overall inflation, costing the average household $782. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will help offset increased grocery bills beyond the inflation rate.
Who is Eligible?
If you (and your spouse if you have one) filed your 2024 tax return and were entitled to the GST/HST credit in January 2026, you should get the one-time top-up payment on June 5. This payment may still be called the GST/HST credit in your account.
Additional Affordability Measures
This week, the Prime Minister also announced that as of April 20, 2026, federal fuel excise tax rates would be temporarily reduced to zero cents per litre. This temporary suspension would apply to gasoline, unleaded aviation gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel for which the tax became payable after April 19, 2026, such as gasoline or diesel fuel delivered by a manufacturer or producer to a purchaser, or sold by a licensed wholesaler or imported into Canada after that day. This temporary suspension would remain in effect until and including September 7, 2026.
This measure will save Canadians 10 cents per litre on gasoline. This will be lower gas prices, giving much needed relief to Canadian families.