Singer-songwriter Ayo Maff has just dropped the music video for his track “8 Days,” a deeply personal reflection on struggle, determination, and prayers for success.
In this soul-stirring piece, Ayo Maff takes us back to when he was 15, driven by financial hardships and a fierce desire to lift his mother out of suffering. The song speaks to his early attempts at various local hustles, unaware that his music would one day take him far. Touching on themes of perseverance and faith, Ayo Maff offers a message of hope—that with hard work and divine intervention, anyone’s story can change.
“8 Days” is the foutrth track of his recently rlewsed debut EP “Maffian,” and through both the lyrics and visuals, Ayo Maff captures the relentless pursuit of success while praying for mercy, protection, and victory for himself and those around him.
Columnist David Marcus warns that we are about to be inundated with sob stories from the border of migrants being denied entry into the U.S. Blame former President Joe Biden, not President Trump, Marcus writes.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/cra-building-in-ottawa-right-canadian-cash-illustrative.jpg?id=55143581&width=1200&height=400&coordinates=0%2C136%2C0%2C136"/><br/><br/><p>Good news, Montreal! The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/gst-hst-credit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GST/HST Credit</a> is getting a boost in 2025, which means more cash in your pocket to offset rising costs. If you rely on this key <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/government-benefits-quebec-payment-dates-december-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">government payment</a> to help with day-to-day expenses, you'll definitely want to know what's changing and how it could benefit you.</p><p>Each year, the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-revenue-agency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canada Revenue Agency</a> (CRA) adjusts the federal <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/revenu-quebec-cra-income-tax-brackets-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">income tax brackets</a> and <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/canada-child-benefit-increase-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">certain benefit payment amounts</a> to match Canada's inflation rate based on the consumer price index. </p><p>For 2025, the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/frequently-asked-questions-individuals/adjustment-personal-income-tax-benefit-amounts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CRA announced</a> a 2.7% increase, which is smaller than last year's 4.7% jump but still a step up to help ease the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/cost-of-living" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cost of living</a>. So, how does this translate into actual dollars for your GST Credit?</p><p>As a refresher, the GST Credit is a tax-free quarterly payment designed to help low- and modest-income Canadians cover <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/gst-tax-break-canada" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sales taxes they've paid</a>. The CRA calculates your eligibility and payment amount based on your family net income from your tax return and the number of children you have.</p><p>Here's the breakdown: For individuals, the maximum payment is increasing next year to $349 (up from $340 in 2024). Families can also see higher payouts, with an extra $184 per child and a $698 maximum for couples. </p><p>For example, a family of four could receive up to $1,066 for the year, meaning a quarterly payment of $266.50 every three months.</p><p>The income thresholds are also rising next year at the same rate. For singles, the phase-in threshold for the supplement goes up to $11,337, while your credit begins phasing out at $45,521 of family income (compared to $44,324 this year).</p><p>Wondering when these changes will hit your bank account? Payments reflecting the new amounts will start rolling out in July 2025 with the start of the new benefit year, and they'll be based on your income and situation from your 2024 tax return. </p><p>Keep an eye on your mail or direct deposit notifications this summer — your quarterly payments are about to get a little sweeter!</p><p><span></span><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
