Canadians will see these new laws take effect this September

Several new laws and policy changes are set to take effect across Canada this September, bringing changes Canadians need to be aware of.

Some of the new laws could affect Canadians financially, such as the price of certain U.S. goods that will be impacted by Canada’s retaliatory tariffs. Other changes will affect international students looking to study in Canada.

And Canadians who receive disability benefits could get extra support with a one-time supplemental payment scheduled to go out next month.

Here are all the new laws and changes coming to Canada in September.

One-time Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) supplemental payment

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Canadians who receive monthly CDB payments could be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $150. That’s because in order to receive disability benefits, applicants must have a Disability Tax Credit (DTC) from the CRA. However, to receive a DTC, Canadians must have a medical practitioner certify that they have a severe or prolonged impairment.

Canadians must provide a medical certificate, and while the service is free in some cases, others may have to pay medical practitioners $125 to $150. There’s also the added cost of transportation. The $150 supplement is meant to help cover some of the expenses related to applying for the DTC. Canadians who receive benefits of $20 or less and those who receive their benefit as a lump-sum payment for an entire payment period are also eligible for the one-time payment set to go out in September.

Financial requirements for international students will increase

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Canada has increased the financial requirements for students who want to study in Canada, with changes set to take effect on Sept. 1, 2026. These changes happen every year, with the government updating required amounts to ensure that students can pay for the cost of living, tuition, and travel in Canada.

Starting September 2025, international students were required to demonstrate that they meet the financial threshold of $22,895 per applicant to cover their cost of living. This year, the government has increased that requirement to $23,448 per applicant starting Sept. 1, 2026.

Canada adds retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods

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Canadians could see some U.S.-made products become more expensive as Canada prepares to impose new counter-tariffs on U.S. imports starting Sept. 8. The federal government said it will impose counter-tariffs of 15 per cent, 25 per cent, and 50 per cent on $27.6 billion worth of products from the U.S., matching the U.S. tariffs. These measures will affect products like steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics, and electronics.

At the same time, the government is rolling out a $7.5-billion package of new and enhanced measures for Canadian workers and businesses hit by the trade war. This includes funding for small and medium-sized businesses, support for companies affected by tariffs, and $3.5 billion to help workers, including expanded EI flexibilities, workplace training, and support for employers trying to retain their workers.