In this edition:
- Universal childcare in Quebec increased female workforce participation by 9%
- Latest data indicate little change in number of paid employees as unfilled jobs continue to decline
- Low-income workers to receive first enhanced Canada Workers Benefit payments
- Bank of Canada publishes 2024 schedule for policy interest rate announcements
- Niagara Chief of Police and Deputy announce retirement
- Five-storey, 71-unit building approved in Merritton
- Fort Erie seeks public feedback on 2023-2026 Corporate Strategic Plan
- Pelham adjusts procurement policy to allow rejection of bids not in best interests of town
- Niagara-on-the-Lake to explore enhanced bylaw officer presence
- Reading Recommendation: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Universal childcare in Quebec increased female workforce participation by 9%
In Quebec, the introduction of the low-cost universal child care program resulted in an increase in the labour force participation rate of women and in the use of paid child care, a new Statistics Canada study has revealed.
Hours worked rose by 9% for women with children in Quebec from 1998 to 2015—a contribution of $2.8 billion to gross domestic product.
Workers in other provinces paid an average of $9,616 per year for the full-time care of children aged 0-5. When considering children who were in any number of hours of care per week (including part-time care), parents paid an average of $7,294, excluding Quebec.
Latest data indicate little change in number of paid employees as unfilled jobs continue to decline
The number of employees receiving pay and benefits from their employer—measured as “payroll employees” in the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours—increased by 23,300 (+0.1%) in May, excluding federal government public administration. Meanwhile, the number of job vacancies declined by 26,000 (-3.3%) to 759,000 in May, continuing the steady downward trend observed over the past year.
Low-income workers to receive first enhanced Canada Workers Benefit payments
Starting tomorrow, millions of low- and modest-income Canadian workers will receive their first automatic advance payments of the newly enhanced Canada Workers Benefit.
The Canada Workers Benefit will provide up to $2,616 total for an eligible family, and $1,518 total for eligible single workers, split between three advance payments this fiscal year (in July 2023, October 2023, and January 2024), and a final payment after filing their 2023 tax return.
Low- and modest-income Canadian workers who received the Canada Workers Benefit in 2022 will automatically receive their advance payments, with no need to apply.
Bank of Canada publishes 2024 schedule for policy interest rate announcements
The Bank of Canada today published its 2024 schedule for policy interest rate announcements and the release of the quarterly Monetary Policy Report. It also reconfirmed the scheduled interest rate announcement dates for the remainder of this year.
In addition, the Bank published its schedule for the release of the Business Outlook Survey and the Canadian Survey of Consumer Expectations, and the Financial System Review.
Niagara Chief of Police and Deputy announce retirement
Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch and Deputy Chief Brett Flynn have formally advised the Niagara Police Services Board of their intention to retire from the Niagara Regional Police Service, effective February 1, 2024.
Chief of Police Bryan MacCulloch has dedicated over 39 years to the policing profession. He was first appointed Chief of Police on September 28, 2017, and will have been in that position for over six years when he retires on February 1, 2024.
Deputy Chief Brett Flynn has devoted over 33 years of distinguished service to the Niagara Regional Police Service. He was appointed Deputy Chief of Police on September 28, 2017 and will have served in that rank for over six years when he retires on February 1, 2024.
Five-storey, 71-unit building approved in Merritton
It was a tale of two developments for St. Catharines’ Merritton ward this week.
One proposed building was deemed a good fit for its neighbourhood and got thumbs up from city council. The other proposal didn’t fare as well.
Both developments were for similar-sized pieces of land but the buildings were drastically different sizes with dissimilar surroundings.
Approved unanimously were zoning amendments for a five-storey, 71-unit residential building at 47 Hastings St., an area behind the Sobeys plaza on Glendale Avenue. The 0.45-hectare plot is vacant and was used for overflow parking for Stone Mill Inn and Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill.
Fort Erie seeks public feedback on 2023-2026 Corporate Strategic Plan
On July 24, 2023, the Town of Fort Erie Council unveiled their draft 2023-2026 Corporate Strategic Plan (CSP) that identifies priorities that will lead the municipality over the next four years. The draft CSP includes six key pillars and 27 specific “strategy to actions.”
The Town encourages the public to provide feedback on the draft Plan through an online survey from July 26 to August 11, 2023. Hard copies of the survey are available at Town Hall. To complete the survey, please visit: CSP Community Survey
Pelham adjusts procurement policy to allow rejection of bids not in best interests of town
On February 21, 2023, Pelham Council approved the Procurement Policy – Purchasing Goods and Services for the Town of Pelham. Council approved the recommended revision received on July 26 to authorize the Town to reject a low bid where the bidder’s experience or references result in a reasonable and good faith concern that the bidder will be unable to deliver the contracted goods or services or that the bid is not in the best interests of the Town.
Niagara-on-the-Lake to explore enhanced bylaw officer presence
It may be too late for this year, but 2024 could see enhanced bylaw enforcement in the town.
Councillors approved a motion from Maria Mavridis at its Tuesday, July 25 council meeting that asks staff to produce a business case for increasing the number of bylaw officers. That would be considered during council’s budget deliberations for 2024.
“It’s asking for us to have the business case,” Mavridis said. “I would like to ensure for the next season we’re prepared.”
Did you know?
Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The progress of women in the workplace is at a standstill. How can we break through the glass ceiling?
Women are promoted less than men because they are deemed to have less leadership potential than men.
These are the findings of a study published in 2022 by professors Alan Benson of the University of Minnesota, Danielle Li of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and Kelly Shue of Yale University and the NBER. Their conclusion is based on the consultation of 30,000 performance evaluation forms of employees working in a large American retail chain.
According to a recent World Economic Forum report on gender inequality in the world, at this rate, it would take another 132 years (compared to 136 in 2021) to close the gender gap.
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.
