Parliament has agreed to fast-track Bill C-19 – the federal government’s new GST credit legislation – in the House of Commons this week.

The bill, which will enact the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit announced last week, includes increases to the GST credit.

Ottawa is increasing the GST credit by 25 per cent starting this year and continuing for the next five years. PM Mark Carney also announced the introduction of a one-time payment, equivalent to 50 per cent of a person’s GST credit.

The measure, which the Opposition says was not accounted for in the federal government’s budget, is estimated to cost $12 billion.