In this edition:
- Government of Canada highlights $20m investment in tourism recovery for Niagara and neighbouring regions
- Reminder: Construction employers must have naloxone kits on worksites as of June 1
- Bank of Canada posts $1.5bn loss for Q1 2023
- Welland menstrual product access pilot program launches today
- University of Waterloo announces tuition waiver for students from First Nations communities on whose traditional territory it stands
- Canada and Brock University invest in climate action project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Political divisiveness a threat to Alberta economy, business groups say
- Competition Bureau provides three key recommendations to improve competition in the cannabis industry
Government of Canada highlights $20m investment in tourism recovery for Niagara and neighbouring regions
Between 2022 and 2023, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) delivered nearly $140 million through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) to help tourism-oriented businesses and organizations across southern Ontario recover from the impacts of the pandemic and safely welcome back visitors.
As part of this investment, more than $20 million was delivered to 192 tourism businesses and organizations in Niagara, Hamilton, Halton, Brantford and surrounding regions, providing memorable experiences for visitors and positioning the region for success.
Also with this Government of Canada support, Tourism Partnership of Niagara (RTO 2) and Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association (RTO 3) provided non-repayable contributions of up to $100,000 to tourism businesses and organizations in the region.
Reminder: Construction employers must have naloxone kits on worksites as of June 1
The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) is advising builders that new legislation kicks in June 1, requiring employers to have life-saving naloxone kits on construction sites.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), all Ontario employers who know, or ought to know, that there is a risk of an opioid overdose in their workplace, are required to ensure that, at all times while there are workers in the workplace, a naloxone kit is made available in good condition.
The province is making the naloxone kits and training available at no cost through Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program. Click here to sign up for training or to receive a kit. Click here for a reference guide for employers published by the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association.
Bank of Canada posts $1.5bn loss for Q1 2023
In the Bank of Canada’s quarterly financial report, the Bank reported that it had incurred a net loss of $1,510 million in the first quarter of 2023, primarily because the interest incurred on deposits was greater than the interest earned on investments. The interest expense on deposits was higher as a result of increases in the Bank’s policy rate throughout 2022 from 0.25% in the first quarter of 2022 to 4.50% in the first quarter of 2023. In time, a statement said, the Bank will return to a net income position.
The Bank asserted that the net loss does not affect its ability to carry out its mandate.
Welland menstrual product access pilot program launches today
The City of Welland’s access to menstrual products pilot program begins today, the City announced in a statement, and will continue for the remainder of the calendar year.
City staff have identified this as a vital initiative that promotes accessibility and inclusivity within our community, and a select number of municipal washrooms within Welland will provide menstrual products to individuals in need. In addition, staff will review and recommend expansion, if necessary, at the end of the year.
University of Waterloo announces tuition waiver for students from First Nations communities on whose traditional territory it stands
The University of Waterloo is offering a full tuition waiver to all qualifying students from two First Nations communities on whose traditional territory the University is situated.
The initiative covers current and incoming students who are members of the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Waterloo will also offer Ontario domestic tuition rates for Indigenous students from elsewhere in Canada and the United States and will continue to waive the application fee for applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Students will need to meet admission requirements for a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at Waterloo to qualify for the waiver.
Canada and Brock University invest in climate action project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced an investment of approximately $2.9 million from the Low Carbon Economy Fund to support Brock University’s District Energy System Electrification Project. Brock University is also contributing up to $3.2 million toward this project.
This project will reduce emissions through retrofits that will increase Brock University’s reliance on grid electricity and reduce its dependence on natural gas. The project will lead to fewer greenhouse gas emissions and increased energy savings. Brock University will see a cumulative reduction of about 13,700 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030—equivalent to the energy use of over 3,200 homes for one year.
Political divisiveness a threat to Alberta economy, business groups say
As the Alberta election campaign heads into its final days, business groups are warning that increased divisiveness and political extremism poses a threat to the province’s economic future.
“We’re worried about societal and political polarization, overall. It seems to be a feature that has crept into North American politics,” said Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta, in an interview.
“The future of this province depends on us getting our act together and being united from a policy standpoint, a public standpoint, and an economic standpoint.”
Competition Bureau provides three key recommendations to improve competition in the cannabis industry
The Competition Bureau has presented its submission to Health Canada and the Expert Panel in response to their legislative review of the Cannabis Act.
The Bureau has stated that stronger competition in the cannabis industry would help foster innovation and benefit consumers by providing them with increased choice and quality. Importantly, these benefits would serve to further displace illicit market activity and bolster the legal cannabis industry.
After a review of competition in the Canadian cannabis industry, the Bureau has made three evidence-based recommendations.
Did you know?
Focus on Human Resources
4 Types of Employee Complaints — and How to Respond
Do you have a chronic complainer on your team? Most of us have worked with someone who can find something negative in every situation and loves to discover others who will commiserate with them. (As the saying goes, misery loves company.) If you’re on the receiving end of ongoing workplace complaints, you might be wondering how you should handle them. Do you ignore them? Express sympathy? Tell them to just “toughen up”?
ESA compliance: What employers need to know about wages and laws for manufacturing workers
Many employers in the manufacturing industry regularly violate the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”), knowingly or unknowingly. Failure to schedule workers within the ESA hourly limits and to pay minimum or overtime wages are two of the most common violations. ESA violations may have serious implications – the fines are high, and sometimes result in jail time. Therefore, ESA compliance is an essential part of a company’s policy-making process.
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.
