Canadians will see these new laws and rules kick in this July
July is just around the corner, and several new laws, policy updates, and government program changes are set to take effect across Canada.
From increased benefit payments to tougher bail laws, several changes are coming into force in Canada this July. One major change is the launch of the Canada Groceries Benefit (CGEB), a new quarterly payment for eligible individuals, couples, and families. Canadians who receive certain government benefits can also expect to see a modest increase in payments starting in July.
Other laws are also set to kick in, including stricter oversight of immigration and citizenship consultants, changes to the bail and sentencing system in Canada, as well as increased efforts to combat hate-motivated crimes. Here’s a look at what’s changing in July.
Government benefit payments are increasing
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Eligible Canadians who receive certain government benefits can expect higher payments starting in July. Each year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses an indexation process that adjusts benefit and credit payments to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living. This year, some benefit payments will increase by two percent, a lower rate than the 2.7 per cent hike in 2025.
On July 3, eligible Canadians will also receive the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), a quarterly tax-free payment set to replace the GST/HST credit. Depending on the information on your 2025 tax returns, a single individual could receive up to $679, a married couple could get up to $890, or a family could get up to $234 for each eligible child under the age of 19.
The advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) is a refundable tax credit to help low-income families and is set to go out on July 10. The payment comes in two parts: a basic amount and a disability supplement. According to the increase, single individuals with no children could receive as much as $1,665 annually, while families could receive $2,869. The disability supplement maximum is $860.
Families who receive Canada Child Benefit (CCB) can expect 2026 payments of up to $8,157 ($679.75 per month) for a child under the age of six, and $6,883 ($573.58 per month) for children aged six to 17. Increased payments go out on July 20.
Old Age Security (OAS) payments go out on July 29, and according to the quarterly review, payments will increase by 1.2 per cent starting in July until September. You could receive up to $751 if you’re aged 65 to 74, and up to $827 if you’re 75 or older.
Read on to find out how much you could receive in benefits in July.
Stricter laws for immigration and citizenship consultants
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To protect people looking for immigration and citizenship advice, the government is implementing changes to improve “access to trustworthy, quality representation.” The new rules are meant to help protect people from dishonest representatives.
Under these changes, the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants will reinforce regulations to ensure applicants have access to reliable, transparent, and accountable services. This means that starting April 2027, the College will require more information on its public register of licensed consultants for greater transparency. In addition, it will improve its complaints and discipline process with higher penalties for consultants who break the rules. The new rules also include creating a compensation fund for victims who lost money due to dishonest acts by consultants.
The new regulations take effect on July 15.
Stricter bail laws
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Canada is introducing major changes to its bail system through the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14), with new laws that will make it harder for people accused of certain offences to be released on bail. These changes will apply to cases that involve repeat offenders, organized crime, human trafficking, extortion, auto theft, and other serious crimes.
When deciding bail for the accused, courts must take into account the safety of the public, as well as the victims and witnesses. It must also consider whether the allegations of violence were random or unprovoked, if there are outstanding charges, and if a weapons ban is necessary.
The reform also means tougher sentencing laws for suspects accused of serious and violent crimes, including organized theft and violent offences.
These changes kick in on July 15.
Law protecting communities against hate
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A new law is set to go into effect to combat the rising Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, and transphobia in Canada. The Combating Hate Act is a legislation that amends the Criminal Code and was created to protect people who feel unsafe in their own communities and denounces hate-motivated crimes.
Changes include making it a crime to intimidate and obstruct people from entering places of worship, as well as schools, community centres, and other places “used by an identifiable group.” That means synagogues, mosques, churches, temples, gurdwaras, or cemeteries will now be protected under the new intimidation and obstruction offences.
Canada is also set to criminalize actions that wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group by publicly displaying hate or terrorism symbols.
The reform will go into effect on July 18.