A horseshoe is made at preparations for the carriage procession at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, ahead of the state visit of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
<p>Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition centered around gratitude, family, and food. While turkey and stuffing may be staples on most tables, more and more families are looking to spice up their holiday menus with non-traditional dishes that reflect diverse flavors and culinary inspirations. From Canadian classics like tourtière to refreshing beverages like apple cider, here […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.zoocasa.com/blog/7-non-traditional-thanksgiving-recipes/">7 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes to Try This Year</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.zoocasa.com/blog">Zoocasa Blog</a>.</p>
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/hands-holding-canadian-cash.jpg?id=55997538&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=0%2C142%2C0%2C143"/><br/><br/><p>February is just around the corner, and so is a new wave of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/government-payments" target="_blank">government payments</a> Quebecers can receive next month.</p><p>Whether you’re catching up after the holidays or planning ahead, these payments from federal and provincial agencies like the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/cra-tax-return-2024-whats-new" target="_blank">Canada Revenue Agency</a> (CRA) and <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/revenu-quebec-2024-tax-return-updates" target="_blank">Revenu Québec</a> can provide a helpful boost. They cover everything from child benefits to pension payments, ensuring support for families, retirees and more.</p><p>This February, eligible Quebecers can look forward to monthly federal payments like the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-child-benefit" target="_blank">Canada Child Benefit</a> and <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/old-age-security" target="_blank">Old Age Security</a>, as well as provincial programs such as the Solidarity Tax Credit, Family Allowance and more.</p><p>Here's your guide to <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/uncashed-cheques-cra-revenu-quebec" target="_blank">CRA and Revenu Québec</a> benefit payments for February 2025 — from who qualifies to how much you can expect and when the money will hit your account.</p><h3>Family Allowance</h3><br/><p>The Family Allowance is a provincial program that provides financial support to Quebec families with children under 18. It helps cover the costs of raising kids. While it's typically paid quarterly in January, April, July and October, families can also opt for monthly payments instead. Most parents with newborns are automatically enrolled, but adoptive parents or newcomers to Quebec may need to apply.</p><p><strong>How much you can get</strong>: Payment amounts depend on factors like number of children, household income, custody arrangements and whether you're a single-parent or two-parent family. The amount also varies based on whether you've chosen quarterly or monthly payments. For 2025, the total amounts for the year are:</p><ul><li>A maximum annual payment of $3,006 per child, plus $1,055 for single-parent families</li><li>A minimum annual payment of $1,196 per child, with $421 extra for single-parent families</li></ul><p>Additional support is also available for children with disabilities.</p><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> February 3, 2025 (monthly cadence)</p><p><a href="https://www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/enfants/naissance/paiement_soutien_enfants/Pages/paiement_soutien_enfants.aspx" target="_blank">More about the Family Allowance</a></p><h3>Solidarity Tax Credit</h3><br/><p>The Solidarity Tax Credit is a refundable tax benefit for low- and middle-income individuals and families in Quebec. It helps offset expenses related to housing, the Quebec sales tax (QST) and the higher cost of living for residents in northern villages. Eligibility and the amount you qualify for are based on your family income and situation as of December 31, 2023. For the current payment year, maximum income thresholds range from $61,500 for single individuals to $67,067 for couples, with an extra $2,517 added for each dependent child.</p><p><strong>How much you can get:</strong> The credit is made up of three components: housing, QST and northern villages. To estimate your total payment, you can use Revenu Québec's <a href="https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/online-services/tools/solidarity-tax-credit-payments-estimator/" target="_blank">Solidarity Tax Credit Payments Estimator</a>.</p><p>The payment schedule depends on the total amount you qualify for:</p><ul><li>$240 or less is paid as a lump sum in July.</li><li>$241 to $799 is divided into four payments (July, October, January and April).</li><li>$800 or more is paid monthly.</li></ul><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> February 5, 2025 (monthly cadence)</p><p><a href="https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/citizens/tax-credits/solidarity-tax-credit/" target="_blank">More about the Solidarity Tax Credit</a></p><h3>Shelter Allowance</h3><br/><p>The Shelter Allowance Program provides monthly financial assistance to low-income individuals and families in Quebec who spend a significant portion of their income on housing. The program is open to tenants, homeowners and boarders, with payment amounts determined by household income, living arrangements and the percentage of income used for housing expenses.</p><p><strong>How much you can get</strong>: From October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, eligible participants can receive up to $170 per month. If you apply during this period, your first payment will include retroactive amounts back to October 1, 2024, covering any support you were entitled to before applying. The payment frequency is based on the amount you're eligible for.</p><p><strong>Next payment date</strong>: Within the first five days of February 2025 (monthly cadence)</p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/citizens/your-situation/low-income/shelter-allowance-program/" target="_blank">More about the Shelter Allowance</a></p><h3>Public sector pension plans (RREGOP, RRPE, etc.)</h3><br/><p>Retired public sector employees in Quebec who are members of plans like RREGOP or RRPE receive lifetime monthly pension payments. These payments are typically deposited on the 15th of each month, or the nearest business day if the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday. For those who still receive their pension by cheque, the cheques are mailed no later than 48 hours before the scheduled payment date.</p><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> February 14, 2025</p><h3>Canada Child Benefit</h3><br/><p>The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-child-benefit" target="_blank">Canada Child Benefit</a> (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment administered by the Canada Revenue Agency and designed to help families cover the costs of raising children.</p><p>To be eligible for the CCB, you must live with a child under 18 and be their primary caregiver. You also need to be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and either you or your spouse must meet specific residency requirements, such as being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.</p><p><strong>How much you can get</strong>: Your payment depends on your family's income, the number of children you have and their ages. Families with a 2023 adjusted net income under $36,502 are eligible for the maximum monthly payments for the current payment cycle:</p><ul><li>Up to $648.91 for each child under 6</li><li>Up to $547.50 for children aged 6 to 17</li></ul><p>As your income increases, payments are gradually reduced. If your child has a disability that makes you eligible for the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/child-disability-benefit.html" target="_blank">Child Disability Benefit</a>, that amount will be included with your CCB payment as well.</p><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> February 20, 2025</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview.html" target="_blank">More about the Canada Child Benefit</a></p><h3>Old Age Security</h3><br/><p>The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/old-age-security" target="_blank">Old Age Security</a> (OAS) pension offers monthly financial support to Canadians aged 65 and older to help with everyday expenses. The benefit is available whether you're retired, still working or have never held a job.</p><p>To qualify, you must be at least 65 years old and have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18. If you live outside Canada, you'll need a minimum of 20 years of residency. Most people are automatically enrolled, but if you don't get an enrollment letter from Service Canada within a month of your 64th birthday, you may need to apply manually.</p><p><strong>How much you can get</strong>: From January to March 2025, the maximum monthly OAS payment is $727.67 for those aged 65 to 74, and $800.44 if you're 75 or older. These payments are adjusted quarterly for inflation, but there's no increase this quarter. Once you turn 75, your OAS payment increases by 10% starting the month after your 75th birthday.</p><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> February 26, 2025</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security.html" target="_blank">More about Old Age Security</a></p><h3>Veteran Disability Pension</h3><br/><p>The Veteran Disability Pension offers monthly financial support to veterans living with a disability caused by their military service. Those eligible include Canadian Armed Forces veterans, individuals who served during the Second World War or the Korean War, and certain current or former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Some civilians who contributed to the Second World War effort may also qualify.</p><p>To be eligible, you must have a diagnosed medical condition linked to your service. The pension provides lifelong monthly payments and includes additional support for dependents, such as a spouse or children.</p><p><strong>How much you can get</strong>: Payment amounts are based on your disability level. Veterans with the highest disability rating (Class 1) can receive up to $3,444.59 monthly. Additional payments are available for dependents, including $861.15 for a spouse, $447.80 for the first child, $327.23 for the second child and $258.34 for each additional child.</p><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> February 27, 2025</p><p><a href="https://veterans.gc.ca/en/mental-and-physical-health/physical-health-and-wellness/compensation-illness-or-injury/disability-benefits" target="_blank">More about the Veteran Disability Pension</a></p><h3>Quebec Pension Plan</h3><br/><p>The Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) provides taxable monthly retirement income to individuals who contributed during their working years. Similar to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), the QPP offers dependable financial support for life. If you've worked in both Quebec and other provinces, contributions to the QPP and CPP are combined to calculate your pension amount.</p><p><strong>How much you can get</strong>: Your payment depends on factors like the age you begin collecting, your contributions and your lifetime earnings. In 2024, the maximum monthly payment for starting QPP at age 65 was $1,365, though the average recipient received closer to $682. Choosing to start early at age 60 capped the maximum at $873, while delaying until age 72 could boost the maximum to $2,167 per month.</p><p><strong>Next payment date</strong>: February 28, 2025</p><p><a href="https://www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/retraite/rrq/Pages/calcul_rente.aspx" target="_blank">More about the Quebec Pension Plan</a></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">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">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
A 32-year-old man has been arrested after the body of a 15-year-old boy was found in bushlands in Sydney's south-west. Police were called to bushlands…
