Federal fuel-tax relief is now law: three dates for your driving budget
Bill C-38 received Royal Assent on October 29. Federal fuel excise tax remains suspended through January 31, 2027, then returns in stages.
Why it matters: Plan for half rates in February and March and full rates from April 1. The tax schedule does not guarantee pump prices.
Read the full newsOn a parent's bank account? Check the 2026 trust-reporting rules
CRA explains when some bare trusts may need a T3 return and Schedule 15 for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2026. This is earlier guidance highlighted for year-end planning.
Why it matters: Joint ownership does not automatically require filing. Check who benefits from the property, the legal arrangement and the reporting exemptions.
Read the full newsHours cut before retirement? New Work-Sharing and retraining support
Canada launched an online employer application for the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program on October 22. Eligible workers may receive EI and training income support while working reduced hours.
Why it matters: Ask your employer or union whether your workplace can participate. Individual EI eligibility and training conditions apply; full pay is not guaranteed.
Read the full newsSeptember CPI is out: a budget signal, not a 3.1% CPP/OAS increase announcement
September inflation was 3.1% across Canada and 2.5% in Ontario. The figures offer a reason to review your spending plan, but do not announce the next CPP or OAS increase.
Why it matters: CPP and OAS use different CPI averaging periods. Compare actual expenses with your budget and keep planning assumptions separate from published benefit adjustments.
Read the full newsEI relief extended: eligible workers can receive 20 extra weeks—but claim deadlines matter
Qualifying long-tenured workers can receive 20 additional weeks of regular EI, up to 65 weeks. The extra-weeks measure has a June 12, 2027 claim-start cutoff; waiting-period and severance relief continue through October 9, 2027.
Why it matters: The full 65 weeks is not automatic: entitlement depends on insurable hours and regional unemployment. Recipients must remain available for work and actively seek employment.
Read the full newsOntario Expands Dementia Care: What Families Should Ask Their Care Coordinator
Ontario announced nearly $13 million to expand dementia supports to 13 more long-term-care homes and fund up to 153 behavioural specialized beds across five homes.
Why it matters: Ask Ontario Health atHome about assessment, local options, waitlists and accommodation costs. Placement depends on assessed needs and availability.
Read the full newsOntario proposes broader access to locked-in pension accounts
Draft rules would allow eligible LIF and locked-in RRIF owners to unlock their accounts after reaching the earliest pension age under the originating plan. Small LIRAs could qualify at any age when aggregate Ontario locked-in balances are below $29,840 in 2026.
Why it matters: The proposal is not yet in force and has no announced start date. The comment period closed October 2, 2026.
Read the full newsOntario’s fall vaccine window opens for seniors and other priority groups
Starting the week of September 28, Ontario is distributing flu and COVID-19 vaccines to high-risk and priority groups, including adults aged 65 and older. General availability begins October 26.
Why it matters: Supply reaches providers in stages, so seniors should contact their pharmacy, primary-care provider or public health unit before visiting. RSV vaccination is also publicly funded for eligible older adults.
Read the full newsCanada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: what retirees should know
The renamed goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax credit now pays quarterly as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Its amount rose 25% in July 2026, but that enhancement is legislated for five years only.
Why it matters: Eligible low- and modest-income retirees receive tax-free quarterly payments automatically after filing a tax return. Do not assume the higher 2026 amount lasts indefinitely.
Read the full newsIndependent review supports the Canada Pension Plan’s long-term actuarial outlook
An external panel found the Chief Actuary’s 32nd Canada Pension Plan report met statutory and professional standards, with reasonable methods and assumptions.
Why it matters: The review is useful reassurance for Canada Pension Plan planning, but it is not a personal recommendation to claim early or delay benefits.
Read the full newsOntario doubles eligible defined-benefit pension protection to $3,000 a month
Ontario’s Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund limit doubled for qualifying plan wind-ups, while the Financial Services Regulatory Authority reported a record 127% median solvency ratio across the defined-benefit plans in its second-quarter report.
Why it matters: The higher cap improves protection for many eligible private defined-benefit pensions, but plan coverage and funding remain specific to each plan.
Read the full newsCPP base contribution rate will decrease in 2027
Bill C-30 lowers the combined base contribution rate from 9.9% to 9.5% effective January 1, 2027. Enhanced CPP and CPP2 contribution rates are unchanged.
Why it matters: CRA confirmed 2027 earnings ceilings of $76,700 and $87,400 on October 28. They apply from January 1, 2027; individual deductions depend on earnings and contribution status.
Read the full newsOntario expands community long-term-care pilot to six sites
Eligible people living at home may access selected clinical, personal-support, and social services through six participating long-term-care homes.
Why it matters: The program remains a limited pilot. Eligibility, services, availability, location, and any charges must be confirmed with a participating home.
Read the full newsOAS benefits will increase 1.4% for October–December 2026
The quarterly increase applies to OAS, GIS, the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor. Eligible recipients should see the adjustment reflected in their October benefit.
Why it matters: The increase improves monthly benefit income. RetireON calculators, guides and handbook tables use the complete official October–December 2026 amounts and income ranges.
Read the full newsFederal Early Retirement Incentive moves into final validation
The application period is closed. Government data dated September 8 reported 10,006 online applications, including 9,438 confirmed as meeting the program criteria.
Why it matters: Applicants still need final Pension Centre validation and must coordinate their retirement date, bridge benefit, CPP timing, coverage and final employment payments.
Read the full newsOAS and GIS rounding regulation updated—with no change to payments
A federal amendment corrected missing legal wording for rounding certain GIS and Allowance amounts to the nearest cent; payment systems were already using that method.
Why it matters: There is no benefit cut, eligibility change, retroactive adjustment or RetireON calculator change resulting from the amendment.
Read the full newsGeneral educational information only—not financial, pension, tax, legal, or employment advice. Government rules and payment amounts can change. Confirm information that affects a decision with the official source or responsible program administrator.