Legislation Passes to Deliver New Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

From: Department of Finance Canada

News release

February 12, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

The global landscape is rapidly changing, leaving economies, businesses, and workers under a cloud of uncertainty. In response, Canada’s new government is focused on what we can control: building a stronger economy to make life more affordable for Canadians.

While the government’s plan to build the strongest economy in the G7 takes effect, affordability pressures—especially those related to food—require immediate support for Canadians. Today, following Parliament’s expedited passage of Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, this legislation received Royal Assent to deliver that support. The new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will provide relief to more than 12 million low- and modest-income Canadians, helping them afford day-to-day essentials starting in the spring of 2026.

Bill C-19 will:

  • provide a one-time top-up payment to be paid as early as possible this spring—equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST Credit. This will deliver $3.1 billion in immediate assistance to 12 million Canadians who currently get the GST Credit.
  • increase the value of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit by 25% for five years starting in July 2026. This increase will deliver $8.6 billion in additional support over the 2026-27 to 2030-31 period, including to 500,000 additional individuals and families.

Combined, these measures mean a family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year, and about $1,400 annually for the next four years; and a single person will receive up to $950 this year, and about $700 annually for the next four years.

Since 2020, food prices have risen faster than overall inflation, costing the average household $782. With this support, Canada’s new government will be offsetting grocery cost increases beyond overall inflation since the pandemic.

Quotes

“Our new government moved quickly to deliver meaningful support for Canadians. With many people feeling the strain of rising everyday expenses, our government is taking a responsible and pragmatic approach: tackling long-term structural challenges while acting now through Bill C-19 to support those facing cost-of-living pressures through the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. We are building a strong economy where Canadians can feel the benefits of our country’s economic growth, at the checkout counter and in their daily lives.”

- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Quick facts

  • Under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: 

    • A single senior with $25,000 in net income will receive a one-time top-up of $267 plus a longer-term increase of $136 for the 2026-27 benefit year (total increase of $402). In total, they will receive $950 for the 2026-27 benefit year (including the top-up).
    • A couple with two children with $40,000 in net income will receive a one-time top-up of $533 plus an increase of $272 for the 2026-27 benefit year (total increase of $805). In total, they will receive $1,890 for the 2026-27 benefit year (including the top-up).

  • After the one-time payment is made in the spring of 2026, eligible families and individuals in Canada will receive the enriched regular payments under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit as of July 2026. 

  • The benefit will be paid quarterly, at the start of the quarter, to permit timely access to the funds to help families with day-to-day expenses. These amounts are additional to existing benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Disability Benefit, and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

Associated links

Contacts

Media may contact:

John Fragos
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance and National Revenue
john.fragos@fin.gc.ca

Media Relations 
Department of Finance Canada 
mediare@fin.gc.ca 
613-369-4000

General enquiries

Phone: 1-833-712-2292
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca

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2026-02-12