In this edition:
- Ontario providing free naloxone kits in workplaces
- Ontario introduces dynamic electricity pricing for small and medium-sized businesses
- Minister of Transport announces the release of Canada’s Action Plan for Clean On-Road Transportation
- Waterpipe by-law approved in Niagara
- Township of Wainfleet opens applications for 2022-2026 boards and committees
- OSC says no reasonable prospect of conviction in CannTrust case
Ontario providing free naloxone kits in workplaces
The Ontario government is launching a first-of-its-kind program to make free naloxone kits (and free training) available at workplaces where there is a risk of staff witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose.
In 2021, 2,819 people died from opioid-related causes in Ontario – the highest number on record and up from 366 in 2003. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, restore breathing within two to five minutes, and allow time for medical help to arrive.
Of the workers who died from opioid-related causes last year, 30 per cent were employed in construction – by far the most impacted industry. Bars and nightclubs have also seen increased opioid usage and accidental overdoses, often because of recreational drugs laced with deadly opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil.
Businesses can determine if they are eligible for the program and find additional information on accessing naloxone kits and training at Ontario.ca/workplacenaloxone.
Ontario introduces dynamic electricity pricing for small and medium-sized businesses
The Ontario government is launching a new pilot program to explore dynamic electricity pricing and its ability to lower electricity bills for small and medium-sized businesses including retail stores, commercial offices and farms.
The pilots will test alternate pricing structures that encourage participants to shift electricity consumption to hours where electricity demand is low, helping to reduce costs for businesses. The pilots will help inform the government on the potential for alternate pricing options to provide electricity system benefits and in turn, lower electricity bills for all customers.
Small and medium-sized businesses, farms and community centres that are included in the Class B electricity rate class and don’t have access to time-of-use or tiered rates may be eligible to participate in the new pilot program.
Minister of Transport announces the release of Canada’s Action Plan for Clean On-Road Transportation
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced the release of Canada’s Action Plan for Clean On-Road Transportation, which is the Government of Canada’s comprehensive strategy to help Canadians and Canadian businesses make the switch to zero-emission vehicles and reduce pollution from on-road transportation.
Canada’s Action Plan for Clean On-Road Transportation outlines the Government of Canada’s plan to reduce emissions from on-road transportation and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The plan:
- will set annually increasing requirements towards achieving 100% light-duty zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035, including mandatory targets of at least 20% of all new light-duty vehicle sales by 2026 and at least 60% by 2030.
- aim to reach 35% of total new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales being zero-emission vehicles by 2030. In addition, the Government will develop a medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle regulation to require 100% of new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2040 for a subset of vehicle types based on feasibility, with interim 2030 regulated sales requirements that would vary for different vehicle categories based on feasibility and explore interim targets for the mid-2020s.
Waterpipe by-law approved in Niagara
A new Niagara-wide by-law to protect Niagara residents and visitors in public settings from toxins released in waterpipe smoke (tobacco and non-tobacco) has been approved following public consultation and approval from regional and municipal councils. The by-law will come into effect on January 1, 2023, in the Niagara region.
The by-law will prohibit waterpipe smoking in several locations including:
- Enclosed public spaces and workplaces
- Outdoor public patios
- Within nine meters of a publicly accessible entrance or exit
- Outdoor public areas such as parks, playgrounds, and beaches.
Township of Wainfleet opens applications for 2022-2026 boards and committees
The Township of Wainfleet has a number of committees of Council designed to improve and shape the future of our community by providing advice and feedback on a variety of issues.
Applications for citizen appointments to various boards and committees for the 2022-2026 term of Council are now open.
OSC says no reasonable prospect of conviction in CannTrust case
The Ontario Securities Commission says it no longer has a reasonable prospect of convicting three former cannabis company leaders linked to securities offences at CannTrust Holdings Inc.
The regulator’s lawyer Dihim Emami asked for a leave to withdraw the charges against former CannTrust chief executive Peter Aceto, former chairman Eric Paul and former vice-chairman Mark Litwin.
Lawyers for the three men are instead seeking an acquittal, which would see their clients freed of charges linked to the alleged unlicensed growing of thousands of kilograms of pot at CannTrust’s Pelham facility in 2019.
Focus on Climate
Fusion breakthrough could be climate, energy game-changer
Scientists announced Tuesday that they have for the first time produced more energy in a fusion reaction than was used to ignite it – a major breakthrough in the decades-long quest to harness the process that powers the sun.
Known as a net energy gain, the goal has been elusive because fusion happens at such high temperatures and pressures that it is incredibly difficult to control.
The breakthrough will pave the way for advancements in national defense and the future of clean power, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and other officials said.
EU becomes first leading economy to legislate for ‘green tariff’ on imports
In the early hours of Tuesday morning the EU became the first big economy to legislate for a “green tariff” on imports, to be levied on goods that are produced with high carbon dioxide emissions.
The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) means that countries which fail to green their industries will soon face a new threat: an effective carbon tax that will penalise those hoping to profit from high-carbon activities and force them to clean up.
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.
