March is Nutrition Month in Canada, and this year’s theme is “Nourish to Flourish.” While the name might sound a bit like a garden club motto, the message is practical: health isn’t just about what you eat, but how food connects us to our community.
Making Your Grocery Dollars Stretch
We all know that “nourishing” ourselves has become a lot more expensive lately. To help ease the sting at the checkout, the federal government has officially rebranded the GST/HST credit as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
Here is what you need to know about the extra help coming your way:
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One-Time “Spring Boost”: Sometime between now and June, current GST credit recipients will receive a one-time lump sum payment equal to a 50% increase in their annual benefit.
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The July Increase: Starting in July 2026, the quarterly payments will see a permanent 25% increase for the next five years.
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No Application Needed: As long as you file your taxes, the CRA will automatically calculate and send these payments to you.
Tools for the Aisles
Along with the extra cash, Health Canada is rolling out a new front-of-package nutrition symbol. Keep an eye out for a simple magnifying glass icon on your food labels. It’s designed to help you quickly spot items high in sodium, sugar, or saturated fat without having to squint at the tiny black-and-white charts on the back.
Warmly
Bill & Marilyn gould
Founders of Canadian Senior Moment
**Bill Gould** spent 43 years as a long-haul truck driver before trading the steering wheel for a keyboard to help fellow Canadians navigate the road of retirement. A freelance writer, published author, and editor of over 50 books, Bill co-founded *Canadian Senior Moment* with his wife, Marilyn, to provide a trusted space for seniors to find clarity, safety, and connection in the digital age. When he isn’t troubleshooting “tech gremlins” or sharing childhood memories of the Prairies, he can be found in his woodshop or working on his latest novel.