Canada Fact Check

Quick Answer: If you paid a checked baggage fee and your bag is significantly delayed, U.S. federal rules generally require the airline to refund that baggage fee once the delay reaches 12 hours for a domestic itinerary, 15 hours for qualifying shorter international itineraries, or 30 hours for qualifying longer international itineraries. However, you must first file a Mishandled Baggage Report (MBR) with the airline. Waiting at baggage claim while every other passenger leaves with a suitcase is frustrating enough. What many travelers still do not realize is that a delayed checked bag can create two separate financial rights : a refund of the baggage fee you paid and reimbursement for reasonable expenses caused by the delay. These are not the same claim, and the rules governing them are different. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) now defines exactly when a checked bag becomes “significantly delayed” for purposes of refunding the baggage fee. The federal rule is pa...

Key Summary: U.S. Overdraft Opt-In Rules Under Regulation E, a U.S. bank or credit union generally cannot charge you an overdraft fee for paying an ATM withdrawal or a one-time debit card transaction unless you affirmatively opted in to that overdraft service. The same federal opt-in protection does not apply to checks, ACH transactions, recurring debit card payments, or automatic bill payments. Those transactions may still be paid into overdraft and may trigger fees depending on the institution’s account terms. What Does Regulation E Actually Require? The federal overdraft opt-in rule is found in 12 CFR §1005.17 , part of Regulation E. Before a financial institution may charge a fee for paying an overdraft on an ATM withdrawal or a one-time debit card transaction, it must: give the consumer a notice describing the overdraft service; provide a reasonable opportunity to affirmatively consent; obtain the cons...

Quick Summary: Canada’s $250 Cheque Rule As of August 27, 2026, Canada’s new $250 cheque-access rule has been enacted but is not yet in force. Bill C-15 received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026, but Division 15 will take effect only on a date set by the Governor in Council. For eligible personal cheque deposits today, the current federal rule still generally requires access to the first $100 —immediately for an in-person deposit and by the next business day for other deposit methods such as an ATM or mobile deposit. Is Canada’s $250 Cheque Rule in Effect Yet? No. As of August 27, 2026, the new $250 immediate-access rule is not yet in force. Parliament passed Bill C-15, the Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1 , and it received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026. The enacted legislation replaces section 627.22 of the Bank Act with a new rule that would require the prescribed amount—or, if no amount is prescribed, the first $250 —to be available for withdrawal immed...

FSA Carryover vs. Grace Period in 2026: How to Protect Your Unused Funds For the 2026 plan year, the IRS allows a maximum health FSA carryover of up to $680, but your specific employer determines whether your plan offers a carryover, a grace period, or neither. Understanding which rule applies to your plan is a key step in avoiding the “use-it-or-lose-it” trap. Note: Date examples in this guide assume a calendar-year health FSA. Non-calendar-year plans can have different deadlines. Understand your specific FSA deadlines to avoid losing unused funds at year-end. Official 2026 Health FSA Limits and IRS Rules As of August 23, 2026, the IRS has confirmed the inflation-adjusted limits for health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for 2026. These figures are especially important for employees reviewing their current FSA balance or preparing for the next open enrollment period. FSA Feature (2026 Plan Year) 2026 IRS Rule / Maximum Employee Salary Reduction Contribution $3,40...

Planning a DIY move? Before you decline the rental counter coverage, discover why your premium credit card might leave you completely unprotected. 🚀 Quick Answer: Does Your Card Cover U-Haul? Most Canadian credit card rental insurance policies do NOT cover U-Haul moving trucks, cargo vans, or pickup trucks. Standard card benefits typically restrict coverage to passenger cars, SUVs, and minivans, explicitly excluding any vehicle designed for commercial use or moving cargo. Why Credit Card Rental Insurance Usually Excludes U-Haul While many high-end cards like Visa Infinite or World Elite Mastercard offer "Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage Insurance," the fine print is often restrictive. The primary issue is the definition of an "Eligible Vehicle." As of late 2025 and moving into 2026, major Canadian financial institutions have maintained strict exclusions for moving equipment. For instance: RBC Avion Visa Infinite: ...

Niagara Falls may be entering one of the biggest periods of tourism and entertainment development on the Canadian side in decades. On August 13, 2026, the Ontario government announced a new agreement between the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and MGE Niagara Entertainment Inc. that removes MGE’s exclusivity rights within the Niagara Gaming Bundle . In practical terms, this opens the door for additional casino and entertainment operators to enter the Niagara market . And this is happening while Ontario is already pursuing a much larger plan for the region — the Destination Niagara Strategy , which includes new tourism attractions, expanded gaming opportunities, major transportation improvements and the exploration of a signature theme park. So, are new casinos and a theme park really coming to Niagara Falls? The answer is more interesting than a simple yes or no. New casino competition is now officially possible. A major theme park is genuinely being explored. But neither ...

If you receive federal benefits in Canada, there are two important payment dates to keep on your calendar this August. The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is scheduled for August 20, 2026 , while CPP, OAS and GIS payments are scheduled for August 27, 2026 . But this month is about more than simply checking when the money arrives. Several federal benefits were recalculated in July, OAS rates increased with inflation, and income-tested benefits such as GIS and CDB may now reflect information from your 2025 tax return . That means some Canadians could notice that their August deposit is different from what they received earlier this year. Here is what you should know before checking your bank account. Canada Benefit Payment Dates August 2026 – CDB, CPP, OAS and GIS Canada Benefit Payment Dates for August 2026 According to the federal government's payment calendar, the key August dates are: Canada Disability Benefit (CDB): August 20, 2026 Canada Pension Plan (CPP): August 27, 2026 Old ...