Major Retail Shift Hits Ontario’s Beer Industry The Beer Store has announced the impending closure of 10 additional retail outlets across Ontario, with several located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). These shutdowns are part of a broader strategy reshaping how beer is sold across the province and reflect growing competitive pressures in the beverage Continue reading
Kathy Hilton
Canada Postpones Key Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility
International students in Canada have received a reprieve after the federal government walked back a significant change to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. Just weeks after announcing that 178 non-degree program fields would no longer be eligible for a PGWP, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has now reversed that decision—at least temporarily. Original Continue reading
Canada to Open New PR Intake for Parents and Grandparents on July 28
Starting July 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin accepting up to 10,000 complete applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The invitations to apply (ITAs) will be sent over a two-week period to 17,860 individuals from the 2020 Interest to Sponsor pool—no new applications will be accepted this year. This Continue reading
Toronto Adds New Flight to Country Famous for Pristine Beaches and Vintage Cars
If you’re already picturing yourself basking under the sun on a tropical beach this winter, you’re not alone — and there’s now a new way to make that dream a reality. WestJet has officially launched non-stop service from Toronto to Havana, Cuba, as part of its winter 2025/26 schedule, bringing the heat (and history) of Continue reading
The Rise and Fall of an Ontario Lumber Town
Ontario is celebrated for its vibrant cities, cottage country, national parks, and charming small towns. But beyond the popular tourist trails lies a different kind of story — one of industry, ambition, and abandonment. Scattered across the province are hundreds of ghost towns, relics of once-thriving communities brought to life by economic booms and later Continue reading
Canadian Workers Eligible for Up to $600 from CRA Benefit This July
As a new wave of federal payments begins rolling out this month, low-income workers across Canada could be in for a welcome financial boost. Thanks to updates from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)—a tax credit designed to support working Canadians with modest incomes—is increasing in value for 2025. Here’s everything Continue reading
Canada Rolls Out Major Tax Relief for Middle-Class Families Starting July 1
A Closer Look at the One-Percentage-Point Reduction in the Lowest Income Tax Bracket Starting July 1, 2025, the Canadian federal government will reduce the lowest marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%. This strategic change is designed to deliver meaningful relief to middle-class Canadians, benefiting millions of taxpayers across the country. How Much Continue reading
Working Past 65? What You Need to Know About CPP, OAS, and Tax Planning
For many Canadians, retirement has long been visualized as a finish line — a specific date marked on a calendar when career ends and leisure begins. Yet, that narrative is evolving. Increasingly, people are choosing — or needing — to stay active in the workforce well beyond age 65. Whether by choice, financial necessity, or Continue reading
Ontario Trillium Benefit Payments Set to Increase in July 2025
As July kicks off, so does a brand-new benefit year for government payments in Ontario — and with the rising cost of living, now’s the perfect time to find out whether you’re eligible for extra financial support. One of the most impactful benefits for lower- and middle-income Ontarians is the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) — Continue reading
Canada Raises Student Visa Financial Requirement by Over CAD 2,000
International students planning to study in Canada will face stricter financial requirements beginning September 1, 2025. According to an update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the minimum funds needed to apply for a Canadian study permit will increase significantly to reflect the rising cost of living. What’s Changing: Cost-of-Living Threshold Increased by Over Continue reading