📍 Editor’s Note
The exclusive newsletter for Newcomers, Professionals, Students, and Immigrants building their wealth and career in Canada. If you missed last week’s issue, you can catch up here.
Happy July!
Trust you had a swell time celebrating Canada day! For a lot of our community, it was their first, and for some specific others; their first as bonafide Canadians! Double reasons to celebrate.
Now, back to some regularly scheduled programming. If you’ve stepped outside lately, you already know summer is in full swing; but behind the scenes, Canada’s immigration and tax systems are moving even faster.
This week, we are tracking two massive shifts that directly impact your wallet and your path to Permanent Residency.
From a permanent 25% boost to quarterly government checks arriving this week, to a historic data breakout from the Express Entry pool, here is your essential breakdown of what you need to know right now.
— Dami
📰 THIS WEEK ON NEW LOCAL
💰 Check your account: The new CGEB hits bank accounts
If you are used to seeing the standard quarterly GST/HST credit hit your bank account, things are looking a little different this month.
On July 3, the federal government officially rolled out the brand-new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). It keeps the exact same baseline eligibility rules as the old credit, but introduces a permanent 25% increase in your payout amount.
The Maximums: Single adults can get up to $169.75 this quarter, and couples can see up to $222.50 (plus $58.50 per child).
The Newcomer Rule: Holding a valid work or study permit? If you’ve been living in Canada for at least 18 consecutive months, you are fully eligible for this tax-free cash injection. All you had to do was file your tax return.
📈 Express Entry Explodes: 90,000 Invites Issued
If you are currently waiting in the pool to get your Permanent Residency (PR), the data from the first half of this year is staggering.
IRCC has completely broken records by issuing 89,067 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) between January and June. To put that into perspective, the government has already issued 78% of the total invites they sent out during the entirety of last year.
But there’s a massive catch. "General" draws are effectively dead. Instead, IRCC is focusing heavily on three specific pipelines:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Accounted for over 41,000 invitations.
French-Language Proficiency: The ultimate "cheat code" this year, with CRS cut-offs plummeting as low as 393.
Category-Based Draws: Targeted trades, healthcare, and STEM professionals.
New Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) Payments Start July 3: Who Qualifies?
A massive shift in Canada's social welfare framework officially hits bank accounts on July 3, 2026.
If you have been accustomed to receiving the standard quarterly GST/HST credit, your upcoming statement will show a brand-new name: the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB).
💼 THIS WEEK'S JOBS
The freshest opportunities for Nigerians building careers in Canada — updated weekly.
🚿 SHOWER THOUGHTS
I know we’re all still reeling from last week’s celebrations; and why not (July is a pretty vibey month), but I’d like you to take a moment to do something important:
📌 Quick Local Checklist For This Week
Update your CRA Portal: Make sure your direct deposit info and current Canadian address are 100% correct so your July payments aren't delayed.
Calculate your new CCB: July marks the start of the new Canada Child Benefit calendar year. Your monthly child assistance payments will change this month based on your latest tax filing.
As always, we’ve got your back. If you found this week's edition helpful, forward it to a friend who is navigating their new life in Canada!
Until next week,
The New Local Team