In this edition:
- Meet new IceDogs owner Darren DeDobblelaer
- Home ownership on the decline in Canada
- Trade Committee will continue to look at impacts of ArriveCan
- Lincoln considering changing CIP programs
- Government of Canada issues CFP for projects to support seniors
- GO-VAXX will visit Niagara College
- Trade Accelerator Program to host free information session in Niagara
Meet new IceDogs owner Darren DeDobblelaer
Join us at the Meridian Centre on September 27 as Wade Stayzer, Chief Operating Officer at Meridian Credit Union, sits down with the Niagara Ice Dogs’ new owner, governor & general manager Darren DeDobbelaer, followed by networking. Darren will talk about the future of the team and his vision for it, how the IceDogs support Niagara’s community, and opportunities for Niagara businesses centred on the team. You can also submit your own questions for Darren in advance during the registration process.
For tickets, visit gnccspotlightdogs.eventbrite.ca.
Home ownership on the decline in Canada
The proportion of Canadian households who own their home—or the homeownership rate (66.5% in 2021)—is on the decline in Canada after peaking in 2011 (69.0%). The growth in renter households (+21.5%) is more than double the growth in owner households (+8.4%).
Adults under the age of 75 were less likely to own their home in 2021 than adults in that age range a decade earlier—especially young millennials aged 25 to 29 years (36.5% in 2021 vs. 44.1% in 2011).
Recently built dwellings are increasingly likely to be occupied by renters—40.4% of the housing built in the five years ending in 2021 was tenant-occupied, the highest tenant rate next to that of dwellings built in the 1960s post-war apartment boom, at 44.5%.
Is the Pandemic ‘Over’? Biden Says So, But Scientists Say That’s Up for Debate
In a surprise moment in a “60 Minutes” interview, President Joe Biden said the COVID-19 pandemic “is over.” While he correctly acknowledged that the coronavirus was still a problem, epidemiologists say there’s no single agreed-upon definition for what constitutes the end of a pandemic — and some say we’re not there yet.
Epidemiologists agree that the pandemic is no longer as dire as it once was, given access to life-saving vaccines, improved treatments and a population that in large measure has already been infected at least once. But the death toll, while lower than before, is still relatively high — and it’s unclear what the future may bring.
Trade Committee will continue to look at impacts of ArriveCan
The International Trade Committee will continue to look into the impacts of the ArriveCan app on certain Canadian sectors. The committee is adding three more meetings in the future to discuss the controversial app and its impacts.
Niagara Falls MP Tony Baldinelli supports extension. “For three years, essentially, we have lost our tourism season,” he said. “The first two years because of COVID; this third year, because of the delays and ArriveCan still being in place, has been self inflicted.”
The first meeting could take place as early as September 27th.
Disclosure: The GNCC is lobbying for all new COVID-related border restrictions to be lifted and the ArriveCAN app to be abolished.
‘We’re not incentivizing straight residential anymore’: Lincoln considering changing CIP programs
One of the new council’s first decisions after this fall’s election will likely be on an updated community improvement plan (CIP) that seeks to tackle an issue that has been at the forefront in Lincoln for several years.
At an earlier request of council, staff is reviewing its CIP program and crafted a draft update they recently presented to council and the public for feedback. Staff say the goal is to shift the focus to attainable housing.
Government of Canada issues CFP for projects to support seniors
Today, Canada’s Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, launched the 2022–2023 call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Minister made the announcement while visiting the Olde Forge Community Resource Centre in Ottawa.
NHSP funding creates opportunities for seniors to be more connected, supported and active members of their communities.
The 2022–2023 NHSP community-based call for proposals is open until November 1, 2022.
For details on how to apply, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/new-horizons-seniors.html. Senior-serving organizations can access support to prepare their application and manage their agreement.
GO-VAXX will visit Niagara College
The GO-VAXX mobile vaccine clinic will be visiting Niagara College on October 6.
Niagara College students, employees, and members of the public can receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster (including the bivalent mRNA COVID-19 booster for eligible populations) by appointment via the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
The converted Metrolinx bus will visit both campuses.
Trade Accelerator Program to host free information session in Niagara on Friday
The Canadian economy is rebounding and now is the time to expand your business internationally. Learn how to navigate, innovate, collaborate, and capitalize on the expanding export market with our Trade Accelerator Program (TAP).
TAP is an award-winning, innovative initiative that assists small and medium sized businesses in accelerating their strategic development. The program helps Canadian entrepreneurs find new customers, generate new revenue streams, navigate disrupted value chains safely and improve efficiency so they can expand their business successfully.
The World Trade Centre, in partnership with Niagara Region, City of Hamilton, and the GNCC, is hosting two free in-person information sessions, to be held on September 22nd in Hamilton at 1:00 pm, and on September 23rd in Niagara at 9:00 am.
To register for free, click the links below.
Hamilton Session on September 22nd: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trade-accelerator-program-hamilton-niagara-region-info-session-tickets-416213916027
Niagara Session on September 23rd: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trade-accelerator-program-hamilton-niagara-region-info-session-tickets-416132652967
Focus on Climate
Oil trumps climate change in UCP leadership race to determine Alberta’s next premier
CBC News
To hear some of the candidates seeking to become the leader of Alberta’s governing UCP — and the province’s next premier — one would think the oil and gas industry was in the doldrums, struggling to make a buck.
In fact, Canada’s oilpatch is enjoying its most lucrative year on record. Its profits have been described as a broken cash machine, as the largest companies collect billions in profit every few months.
Still, one major challenge hasn’t gone away: finding a way to lure back the global banks, insurance firms, and investors that don’t want to be associated with an industry — particularly the oilsands — that’s become a target in the global climate crisis. It’s one reason why the biggest oilsands producers have made pledges to wipe out their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (a pledge a number of environmental groups find dubious).
The costs of climate change
Canadian Climate Institute
Climate change is already costing Canadian households billions of dollars—and these costs are just the tip of the iceberg.
Our Costs of Climate Change series documents how Canada is already suffering from increasingly devastating wildfires, floods, and extreme weather.
These damages will continue to worsen as the climate warms, putting people’s long-term prosperity, health, and well-being at risk.
Our research shows, however, that proactive adaptation can dramatically cut those costs, protecting households and securing a more affordable and prosperous future.
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.
