Prime Minister Mark Carney tours a FreshCo grocery store in Brampton, Ont., Friday, June 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

By The Canadian Press

Liberals’ grocery benefit payments start for eligible Canadians today

Jun 5, 2026 | 1:00 AM

OTTAWA — One of the federal Liberals’ flagship affordability measures will start landing in the bank accounts of eligible Canadians today.

First announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney in January, top-up payments for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will start going out today.

The program previously was called the GST/HST credit and is usually paid out on a quarterly basis to lower-income households to help them keep pace with the rising cost of living.

An estimated 12 million Canadians are eligible for the one-time benefit. Payments will vary based on the size of the household, with a single adult with no children getting up to $267 and a couple with two kids receiving a maximum of $533.

The one-time top-up payment is worth 50 per cent of the annual benefit and regular quarterly payouts will also rise by 25 per cent for the next five years, starting in July.

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Canadians who meet the income threshold based on their 2024 tax returns will receive the benefit automatically by direct deposit or by mail.

Carney said at a FreshCo grocery store in Brampton, Ont., on Friday that the money will reduce cost-of-living pressures and help families enjoy the summer.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a video posted on social media Friday that the benefit is a key affordability measure.

“We’ve heard from many Canadians that obviously affordability is top of mind,” he said.

Liberals’ grocery benefit payments start for eligible Canadians today

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