In this edition:
- Inflation rate increases to 2.9%
- Ontario considers housing data revisions after municipal concerns of undercounting
- West Lincoln announces Council vacancy
- Niagara Parks explores using goats as sustainable, low-impact solution for invasive species management
- Canadian Council for Indigenous Business launches Young Indigenous Business Grant
- Significant changes to strengthen Competition Act become law
- BlackBerry report shows 40 percent increase in malware usage
- Focus on Climate
Inflation rate increases to 2.9%
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9% on a year-over-year basis in May, up from a 2.7% gain in April. Acceleration in the headline CPI was largely due to higher prices for services, which rose 4.6% in May following a 4.2% increase in April. Faster price growth for services was led by cellular services, travel tours, rent and air transportation.
Prices for food purchased from stores rose 1.5% on a year-over-year basis in May following a 1.4% increase in April. Although slight, this was the first acceleration since June 2023.
Ontario considers housing data revisions after municipal concerns of undercounting
Ontario is considering revising its tallies of how many homes are built in cities and towns across the province, after some complained that undercounting has cost them millions in provincial funding.
As Premier Doug Ford’s government attempts to get 1.5 million homes built by 2031 it has assigned annual housing targets to 50 municipalities and promised extra funding to those who exceed or get close to them.
West Lincoln announces Council vacancy
In accordance with section 259(c) of the Municipal Act, the Ward 3 seat on West Lincoln’s Council, formerly occupied by Councillor Terry Bell, is now vacant. Township Council informed the public of the vacancy at its June 24 meeting.
Councillor Bell served the Township as Ward 3 Councillor from 2014 to 2018 and again from 2022 to 2024. He was forced to step down owing to health issues, the Hamilton Spectator reports.
Niagara Parks explores using goats as sustainable, low-impact solution for invasive species management
Niagara Parks’ Environmental Stewardship team has launched the Green Grazers Initiative, a week-long pilot project at Gonder’s Flats in Fort Erie, that uses goats to target the removal of phragmites, an invasive species.
Canadian Council for Indigenous Business launches Young Indigenous Business Grant
Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) launches its first grant dedicated to young Indigenous entrepreneurs, the Young Indigenous Business Grant.
The grant, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited with contributions from CIBC and Apex Distribution, is open to Indigenous entrepreneurs under the age of 35 operating their businesses in Canada. Twenty-two successful applicants will receive $2,500 each as well as a one-year CCIB membership to help expand their businesses.
Significant changes to strengthen Competition Act become law
On June 20, 2024, important changes to the Competition Act became law that strengthen the Competition Bureau’s ability to protect competition and prevent anti-competitive mergers and conduct.
These changes strengthen provisions related to merger control, deceptive marketing practices, anti-competitive agreements, and harm to competition where a business refuses to deal with another business.
BlackBerry report shows 40 percent increase in malware usage
BlackBerry Limited released its latest Global Threat Intelligence Report, revealing that BlackBerry® cybersecurity solutions reportedly detected and stopped 3.1 million cyberattacks (37,000 per day) in the first quarter of 2024. Between January and March 2024, BlackBerry detected 630,000 malicious hashes, representing a 40 percent increase from its previous reporting period.
Sixty percent of attacks targeting industry were directed at critical infrastructure, including government, healthcare, financial, and communication industries, of which 40 percent targeted the financial sector.
Did you know?
Focus on Climate
Emotions may matter more than facts in shaping individual support for renewable energy, new study shows
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.
