In this edition:
Regional Councillor George Darte resigns seat
Canada launches consultations on reciprocal procurement policies
Governments of Canada and Ontario announce $4.5 million investment in agri-food
GDP up in January
Household consumption increases by record level
Regional Councillor George Darte resigns seat
Regional Councillor George Darte, elected to represent St. Catharines in 2018 and serving his first term on Council, has announced his resignation in an email to regional council, saying “This is obviously something I take very seriously and am sorry that I am not able to go the full term.”
Darte says he is stepping aside for personal reasons, and asks for the public’s understanding in wishing to retain his privacy over the matter. The St. Catharines native received 12,516 votes in the 2018 election, coming second to former local MPP and provincial cabinet minister Jim Bradley.
Since Darte’s seat has fallen vacant more than 90 days before a municipal election, it will have to be filled by a decision of St. Catharines council. According to city policy, with less than a year before the election, the next-place finisher shall be appointed if they received at least 70% of the votes for the finisher before them. Former St. Catharines City Councillor Mike Britton is the next-place finisher, with 6,765 votes to Kelly Edgar’s 7,233, or 93.5%. Edgar is currently filling the seat vacated by Jim Bradley, who became Regional Chair.
Canada launches consultations on reciprocal procurement policies
Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, launched public consultations on reciprocal procurement policies in Canada.
Reciprocal procurement policies would ensure that Canada’s trading relationships are mutually beneficial and that countries restricting Canadian access to their procurement markets do not unfairly benefit from Canada’s procurement system.
The consultations will be open until May 30, 2022, to all Canadians, including businesses, Government of Canada contractors and service providers, industry associations, labour unions, academics, professional experts, provinces, territories, municipalities and others.
Please visit the Global Affairs Canada public consultations process web page to share your views.
Governments of Canada and Ontario announce $4.5 million investment in agri-food
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing approximately $4.5 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) to support more than 100 projects that will strengthen the province’s agri-food supply chain by helping food and beverage processors improve their operations, increase their competitive edge and adapt to future challenges.
Since June 2018, both the federal and provincial governments have committed over $130 million in support to more than 6,000 projects through the Partnership. This funding will help eligible Ontario farmers, processors, businesses and sector organizations to innovate and grow.
GDP up in January
Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.2% in January, up for the eighth month in a row. Goods-producing industries increased 0.8% in January, while the effects of the Omicron variant continued to take the wind out of the sails of services-producing industries (0.0%), with specific client-facing industries feeling direct impacts. Overall, 9 of 20 industrial sectors increased in January.
Household consumption increases by record level
Household actual final consumption (HAFC) increased by 8.3% (+$132.6 billion) in 2021. This is the largest-ever annual increase observed for these estimates, which date back to 2008. The increase was driven by growth in household final consumption expenditure (HFCE), as activities resumed following earlier closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reading Recommendations
Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: More questions than answers
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Since 2005, Canada has only managed to reduce its overall greenhouse gas emissions from 739 to 730 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Yet, between 2023 – 2030 the Government of Canada is aiming to reduce emissions by 287 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Such ambition needs to be matched by strong funding, program, and policy supports.
Make no mistake, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s leadership on setting the course for the transition to net zero is commendable. We support new commitments intended to increase renewable energy, modernize distribution grids, and deploy carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies.
However, the 2030 ERP leaves us with more questions than answers. The Chamber has concerns with the feasibility and limited supporting detail of several components of the ERP. Above all, we are concerned that the Government of Canada’s approach, if not followed up quickly with detailed plans and a federal budget that reflects the level of investment required, will hinder progress on meeting emissions targets.
Update on Ukraine
Canada expands settlement support for Ukrainians coming to Canada
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that Canada is offering temporary federal support to help Ukrainians settle in their new communities. Settlement Program services, which are typically only available to permanent residents, will soon be extended until March 31, 2023, for temporary residents in Canada eligible under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). This is an extraordinary temporary measure aimed at supporting Ukrainians arriving under this special, accelerated temporary residence pathway.
Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.
