Statistics Canada reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.7% on a year-over-year basis in July, up from a 3.1% gain in June. Consumer prices are rising at a faster pace driven by increased shelter costs and continuing supply chain problems. Conversely, prices for clothing and footwear as well as alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and recreational cannabis slowed on a year-over-year basis in July compared with June. For complete details, click here.

Ontario and Michigan partnering on cross-border transportation technologies

The Ontario government and the State of Michigan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the implementation of a cross-border testing environment that will further support the commercialization and adoption of auto and transportation technologies in Ontario.

Goals of the collaboration include:

• Identifying the potential economic, social and environmental benefits from increased collaboration in automotive and transportation technologies between Ontario and Michigan.
• Identifying issues and challenges for both people and goods related to specific types of border crossing (by land, air and water) and how transportation technologies could offer solutions.
• Exploring the regulatory and policy considerations involved.
• Developing a roadmap for implementation, including steps to establish cross-border pilots for transportation technologies.

Combined, Ontario and Michigan are responsible for about 22 per cent of North America’s automotive output. The state and province share a highly integrated automotive supply chain, with vehicle parts crossing the border several times before rolling off the assembly line in finished vehicles. For more information, click here.

Ontario’s updated COVID-19 vaccination eligibility

Based on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts, the province will begin offering third doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to select vulnerable populations:

• Transplant recipients (including solid organ transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplants)
• Patients with hematological cancers (examples include lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia) on active treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for malignant hematologic disorders
• Recipients of an anti-CD20 agent (e.g., rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab)
• Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges

More details can be found here.

Schedule of pop-up clinics in Niagara schools

As part of Niagara Region Public Health’s efforts to get as many eligible students as possible vaccinated against COVID-19, pop-up clinics will be taking place at upcoming schools across the region:

• Aug. 23, St. Catharines Collegiate
• Aug. 24, Beamsville District Secondary School
• Aug. 25, École Secondaire Franco Niagara (Welland)
• Aug. 26, Port Colborne High School
• Aug. 27, Stamford Collegiate (Niagara Falls)
• Sept. 01, Saint Paul Catholic High School (Niagara Falls)
• Sept. 02, Denis Morris Catholic High School (St. Catharines)
• Sept. 03, Notre Dame College School (Welland)

For further information, check here.

Niagara municipalities team up for region-wide scavenger hunt

Niagara’s municipalities and the Niagara Parks Commission are joining together to host Reconnect to Rediscover Niagara from noon, Aug. 27 to midnight, Sept. 6. The online scavenger hunt invites Niagara residents from across the region to reconnect with their neighbouring municipalities and rediscover the rich natural landscapes and history they offer.

Using an app, participants will be invited to snap photos or videos as they explore locations and attractions across Niagara to complete missions. Each mission completed will net points, with participants able to track their progress against others. For more information, click here.

Reading Recommendations

Porter Airlines, other companies to require COVID-19 vaccine or negative test for all staff

CBC, Pete Evans, Meegan Read

Porter Airlines will require all its staff to either get vaccinated against COVID-19 or test negative for the coronavirus before the start of every shift. The Toronto-based airline, which is resuming flights next month after being grounded to passenger flights for almost a year and a half. The airline says it is “the first Canadian airline committed to introducing these important safety measures.”

Sweden’s HYBRIT delivers world’s first fossil-free steel

Reuters, Helena Soderpalm

Swedish green steel venture HYBRIT said that it had made the world’s first customer delivery of steel produced without using coal as it looks to revolutionize an industry that accounts for around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. HYBRIT started test operations at its pilot plant for fossil-free steel in Lulea, northern Sweden, a year ago.

It aims to replace coking coal, traditionally needed for ore-based steel making, with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. Hydrogen is a key part of the EU’s plan to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Beyond burned out

Harvard Business Review, Jennifer Moss

In our always-on world, burnout has long been a threat. But in 2020-2021 burnout became rampant, seemingly overnight. This past year, acute stress would become chronic stress. And it shows few signs of abating.

Today’s level of burnout is the result of an existing problem made exponentially worse. Yet despite how massive the problem is, it’s never too late to fix it. Combating burnout may feel like an overwhelming and herculean task, especially after months of emotional fatigue, but if you’re armed with the right tools, it can be easier than you might think. And ready or not, we can’t ignore the urgency — we are in the midst of a burnout epidemic.

Niagara COVID-19 data

These data show the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara. The Province of Ontario is now using a provincewide approach to reopening, and these data no longer have any influence on Niagara’s restrictions.

Current number of admitted Niagara Health patients with COVID-19: 4

Patients with COVID-19 in Niagara Health ICU’s: 2

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara Health.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Last updated: August 18, 2021

Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.

Total doses administered in Niagara: 646,694

New daily doses administered to Niagara residents: 1,198

Data are drawn from Niagara Region, the Government of Ontario, and Oxford University’s Our World in Data project.

Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses. Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.