In this edition:
- Welland Mayor invokes Strong Mayor powers to appoint new CAO
- Ontario to remove provincial HST on purpose-built rental housing
- Politicians elect wines from two Lincoln businesses as 2024 representatives
- PenFinancial and Mainstreet CU exploring merger
- Province hikes OHSA maximum fine
- Focus on Climate
Welland Mayor invokes Strong Mayor powers to appoint new CAO
Mayor Frank Campion and the City of Welland have announced the appointment of Rob Axiak as the City’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective immediately. Axiak, a Brock University graduate, with more than 25 years of municipal experience in senior leadership roles in the GTA and Niagara, has worked with the City for the past two-plus years as the director of community services, one of the City’s most extensive portfolios, encompassing recreation, sport and culture, parks and forestry, and facilities.
Appointing a CAO is Mayor Campion’s first use of the Strong Mayor Powers, permitted under section 284.5 of the Municipal Act, 2001.
Ontario to remove provincial HST on purpose-built rental housing
The Ontario government is taking steps to remove the full eight per cent provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on qualifying new purpose-built rental housing in order to get more rental homes built across the province.
The removal of the provincial portion of the HST would apply to new purpose-built rental housing such as apartment buildings, student housing and senior residences built specifically for long-term rental accommodation, that meet the criteria. The enhanced rebate would apply to qualifying projects that begin construction between September 14, 2023 and December 31, 2030, and complete construction by December 31, 2035.
Politicians elect wines from two Lincoln businesses as 2024 representatives
The Niagara region has made a statement at Queen’s Park, at least, as far as wine goes.
Wines from two Lincoln wineries have been chosen for the Ontario Legislative Assembly’s official wines for 2024. Watchful Eye’s 2021 chardonnay and King and Victoria’s 2020 cabernet will be the official white and red wine, respectively, of Queen’s Park next year.
They were chosen at an annual wine tasting event hosted on Oct. 25 by Ted Arnott, Queen’s Park speaker and MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills.
PenFinancial and Mainstreet CU exploring merger
The Board of Directors of PenFinancial Credit Union and Mainstreet Credit Union have announced their intention to explore a merger.
This announcement follows preliminary discussions between the two organizations to evaluate the potential strengths and benefits that could be realized through a merger. As a result of these initial discussions, a Letter of Intent has been signed.
In a statement, the Boards of both credit unions said they saw the proposed merger as potentially bringing economies of scale which could be re-invested in the business to ultimately improve the member experience, better support employees, and deepen their commitment to community.
Province hikes OHSA maximum fine
The Ontario government’s Working for Workers Act, 2023 has received Royal Assent, meaning Ontario now has the highest maximum corporate fine under workplace health and safety legislation in Canada.
Last year, the government raised fines under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) for corporate directors to a maximum of $1.5 million and for all other persons, fines were raised to a maximum of $500,000.
The new legislation amends the OSHA to increase the maximum fine for corporations convicted of an offence under the OHSA from $1.5 million to $2 million, stated a release.
Did you know?
Focus on Climate
In 2023 we’ve seen climate destruction in real time, yet rich countries are poised to do little at Cop28
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.
