In this edition:
- Ministers announce they’re not seeking re-election as cabinet shuffle looms
- Ontario building mobile skilled trades classrooms
- Flight delays at Canadian airlines far outstrip peers in U.S., despite improvements
- B.C. port workers will get eyes on contract offer from maritime employers
- Ontario and Michigan sign new Economic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding
- St. Catharines Council decides not to re-open budget during heated meeting
- CRTC chooses Quebecor rate in arbitration with Rogers
- Reading Recommendations: Climate
Ministers announce they’re not seeking re-election as cabinet shuffle looms
Ahead of what’s shaping up to be a sizable cabinet shuffle expected on Wednesday, a handful of current ministers have announced they won’t be running again.
On Tuesday, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Joyce Murray, and Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek all revealed that they will be bowing out of federal politics before the next election.
Senior government sources confirmed to CTV News on Monday that the prime minister was meeting with ministers—prompting several to cancel scheduled public events— as he made preparations for this summertime rejig of his front bench.
Ontario building mobile skilled trades classrooms
The Ontario government is investing $5.4 million to design and build three mobile tech classrooms that will travel across the province and teach students and young people about the skilled trades. The classrooms, built and operated by Skills Ontario, will feature hands-on learning stations and simulators for electrical systems, welding, crane operation, auto-painting, tire and brake work, heavy machinery and more.
Over three years, they will let nearly half a million people explore the skilled trades and will help tackle the labour shortage the province faces in a critical industry.
Flight delays at Canadian airlines far outstrip peers in U.S., despite improvements
Canada’s two biggest airlines saw a far higher proportion of their flights delayed this summer than many of their American peers, according to figures from an aviation data firm.
Overall, only half of Air Canada’s 31,168 flights were on time between June 19 and July 16, statistics provided by Cirium reveal.
In comparison, 64 per cent of WestJet’s 14,998 flights touched down late.
Flights are considered on time if they reach the airport within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time.
B.C. port workers will get eyes on contract offer from maritime employers
Thousands of workers at British Columbia’s ports are taking off the day shift to attend meetings and learn details of an agreement struck between their union and employers.
The local chapters of International Longshore and Warehouse Union are holding meetings today to discuss the deal, which the BC Maritime Employers Association says is the same agreement union leaders had previously rejected without a full-membership vote.
Members filed into meetings at Vancouver’s Croatian Cultural Centre today to hear from leaders of the Local 500 chapter, representing longshore and other port workers in the city.
Ontario and Michigan sign new Economic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding
Ontario and Michigan are building on their longstanding economic relationship through a new partnership that will increase trade, attract investment and encourage job creation in both jurisdictions. The new Economic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will support joint initiatives in priority areas, such as electric vehicles and related supply chains. These initiatives could include joint trade promotion and missions, new post-secondary exchange programs, and efforts to identify opportunities for strategic partnerships that will help businesses compete internationally.
The agreement was signed today by Premier Doug Ford and Governor Gretchen Whitmer during a virtual ceremony. They were joined by Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
St. Catharines Council decides not to re-open budget during heated meeting
A contentious meeting at city hall resulted in St. Catharines not re-opening this years budget.
Councillors Joe Kushner and Carlos Garcia put a motion forward last night to reconsider the budget with hopes of implementing a hiring freeze on city staff.
That motion failed to get the support it needed.
Click here to listen to Mayor Siscoe’s interview on CKTB.
CRTC chooses Quebecor rate in arbitration with Rogers
On May 9, the CRTC set the rules for MVNO access and gave companies until August 7 to negotiate agreements. When companies cannot come to an agreement, they can ask the CRTC to set the rate through a process known as final offer arbitration. This process requires each company to submit a proposed rate for the CRTC’s consideration. Quebecor and Rogers asked the CRTC to initiate arbitration.
After a thorough analysis and detailed consideration of the two proposals, the CRTC chose the rate proposed by Quebecor.
“The CRTC’s latest decision will help deliver more affordable cellphone plans to Canadians,” the agency said in a statement, “while also ensuring that companies continue to invest in high-quality networks.”
Did you know?
Focus on Climate
Manifest Climate: transforming climate risk planning with AI
Toronto-based company Manifest Climate wants to change how corporations’ climate disclosures are processed and shared. The company, founded by Laura Zizzo, who is now chief executive officer (CEO), aims to provide decision-makers in the capital markets with better information to scale climate resilience globally.
Manifest Climate’s software uses AI to extract and analyze critical data from public company disclosures. By examining approximately 200 data points per company, the software offers insights into board and management team perspectives on climate change, risk management practices, and strategy development.
Gulf stream could collapse as early as 2025, study suggests
The Gulf Stream system could collapse as soon as 2025, a new study suggests. The shutting down of the vital ocean currents, called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc) by scientists, would bring catastrophic climate impacts.
Amoc was already known to be at its weakest in 1,600 years owing to global heating and researchers spotted warning signs of a tipping point in 2021.
The new analysis estimates a timescale for the collapse of between 2025 and 2095, with a central estimate of 2050, if global carbon emissions are not reduced. Evidence from past collapses indicate changes of temperature of 10C in a few decades, although these occurred during ice ages.
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.
