The first GST and HST credit payments of the new year will be issued on Friday. These tax-free quarterly payments are provided by the federal government to assist low- and moderate-income families. The payments aim to offset the GST and HST paid by low-income single Canadians and families on goods and services. The amount is calculated based on the total family income and the number of children under 19. For the 2024–2025 benefit year, the annual GST credit is a maximum of $519 for single individuals. Married or common-law couples can receive up to $680 annually, with an additional $179 for

A Calgary army reserve officer is dead after an off-duty ice climbing accident in eastern B-C during the holidays. The military says Major Dave Peabody died December 26th inKootenay National Park. Peabody, who was 48, served as an infantry officer with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry after joining the Canadian Forces. He served in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012. Peabody transferred to the Calgary Highlanders, a unit of 41 Brigade Group, serving part-time as a senior officer. In 2021, Peabody became the curator of The Military Museums in Calgary in a civilian capaci

Alberta's electricity ``rate of last resort''starts today, replacing the province's previous default rate forconsumers who don't have a contract. The rate is set at about 12 cents per kilowatt hour until 2027. It's meant to shield against price spikes, as the previous option fluctuated from month to month. Retailers must confirm with customers whether they want to sign on to a competitive rate, which can be much lower. Albertans also start paying today a tax on vaping products to fall in line with existing federal taxes. The governments say the tax is meant to discourage vapin

Canada is set to take over the presidency of the G7 in 2025, leading a forum of seven of the world's most advanced economies at a time of political instability at home and around the world. Canada joined the group in 1976 and this year will be chairing its meetings for the seventh time. Ottawa plans to host the leaders' summit June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alta. The G7 includes the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada, as well as the European Union. For five decades, the group's governments have co-ordinated how liberal democracies respond to economic an

Police say a man they were searching for in a double homicide in Calgary has been found dead. An emergency alert had been issued for 38-year-old Benedict Kaminski, describing him as armed and dangerous. A woman in her 30s and a man in his 70s were found dead on Sunday at two different locations in Calgary. Police say the victims are believed to be Kaminski's wife and her father. They say tips from the public lead officers to the Water Valley area, about 80 kilometres northwest of Calgary. The suspect was found dead near his parked truck. This report by The Canadian Press was f

Cell phone scams are surging in Edmonton, with victims losing over $600,000. As of December 18, police had received 91 reports of scams involving fraudulent offers of discounted cell phones. Victims reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to represent Telus, offering cell phones at reduced rates. They were asked to provide their account security codes and passwords to secure the deal. According to police, scammers use this information to access victims' accounts, order new phones, and have them shipped to the victims' addresses. Once the phones are delivered, scammers instruct th

The plane that caught fire upon landing at Halifax's airport over the weekend has been removed, and the runway has reopened. A spokesperson with the Halifax Stanfield International Airport says the runway reopened at 10:15 a.m., leaving both of the airport's runways available for regular flights. An Air Canada Express flight operated by the regional carrier PAL Airlines, arriving from St. John’s, N.L., experienced a rough landing at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday night. A passenger on the aircraft described feeling a "massive rumble" upon touching down and says sparks and flames were shoot

Housing market poised for 2025 comeback as lower rates unleash pent-up demandEconomists and real estate agents believe home sales activity is poised to remain strong in 2025, thanks to much lower borrowing costs and more favourable rules for buyers. Re/Max's 2025 housing market outlook report says it is expecting home sales to rise in 33 of 37 Canadian regions. It forecasts the national average residential price to rise by five per cent. Along with falling rates, TD economist Rishi Sondhi said the federal government's recent mortgage rule changes, which kicked in on Dec. 15, should help lift

Mounties in Coquitlam, B.C., say an early morning fire is under investigation at a strip mall on North Rd. at Lougheed Highway. Const. John Graham with Coquitlam RCMP says the city's fire department was called to the complex early this morning about a blaze at the building. Graham says there were no injuries and the cause of the fire is now under investigation by both police and fire officials, but he had no information about a possible explosion that damaged the complex. Images from the scene show the building's front facade with awnings and signage had fallen to the ground, exposing twisted