In this edition:
- Ontario announces $10M to help train workers in shipbuilding in St. Catharines
- Business associations demand Government of Canada act to prevent rail strike
- Niagara Falls will defer to Ontario Tribunal on Upper’s Quarry decision
- Ontario sets new planning rules intended to boost home building
- Pelham will hold open house on development charges
- Niagara real estate competition grinds to a halt
- Crates of GM machinery await installation for switch to EV unit production
- Premier Ford announces new portal to connect investors with municipalities
- Focus on Climate
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![](https://gncc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/heddle.jpg)
Photo credit: Ontario Shipyards
Ontario announces $10M to help train workers in shipbuilding in St. Catharines
The Ontario government has announced its investing $10 million to train workers for careers in the shipbuilding and repair sector, including in St. Catharines.
Premier Doug Ford was in St. Catharines today to make the announcement saying he is proud to support the shipbuilding industry in St. Catharines and other areas which build and repair ships.
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Photo credit: IanDewarPhotography / Adobe Stock
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Photo credit: Arisa / Adobe Stock
Niagara Falls will defer to Ontario Tribunal on Upper’s Quarry decision
On August 14, 2024 the City of Niagara Falls received an appeal of non-decision on the Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment application from Walker Aggregates Inc. regarding the Upper’s Quarry site.
The City will not be bringing forward a recommendation report on the subject applications and there will be no decision of Council on this matter. The decision will be made by the Ontario Land Tribunal.
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Minister Paul Calandra (at left). Photo credit: The Honourable Paul Calandra, M.P.P.
Ontario sets new planning rules intended to boost home building
Ontario’s housing minister announced a new set of planning rules Tuesday, which he said will set the stage for a “long-term building boom.”
Paul Calandra announced the new Provincial Planning Statement at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, telling the municipal leaders in attendance that it will give them more tools and flexibility.
“It will ensure one consistent set of planning direction across the province,” he said.
![](https://gncc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/raised-hand-conference-1024x683.jpeg)
Photo credit: smolaw11 / Adobe Stock
Pelham will hold open house on development charges
The Town of Pelham will hold an Open House on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall to share the updated Development Charges Study capital projects.
A representative from Watson and Associates, the consultants retained by the Town of Pelham, will be at the Open House to answer any questions. The Town has billed this event as an opportunity for developers to ask questions to the consultant and provide feedback on the draft Development Charges Background Study for the Town of Pelham.
![](https://gncc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/house-home-sale-finance-1024x683.jpeg)
Photo credit: Tinnakorn / Adobe Stock
Bidding activity between home buyers has ground to a halt in Niagara, new analysis from digital real estate platform Wahi suggests.
Not a single Niagara neighbourhood was in overbidding territory in the second quarter of the year, down from 3% in the previous quarter, according to Wahi’s Q2 2024 Niagara Market Pulse Report.
![](https://gncc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/gm-hq.jpeg)
Photo credit: Askar / Adobe Stock
Crates of GM machinery await installation for switch to EV unit production in St. Catharines
Although only a small percentage of Canadian workers will be among the 1,000-plus laid off worldwide as announced by General Motors on Monday, the union representing St. Catharines workers remains concerned about a possible trickle-down effect.
While anticipating additional layoffs in the weeks to come, Unifor Local 199 president Jordan Lennox said he doesn’t know if the St. Catharines plant will be impacted as a result of Monday’s announcement.
![](https://gncc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/PG-3-DW-ford-speech-amoMainWEB.jpg)
Photo credit: Government of Ontario / YouTube screenshot
Premier Ford announces new portal to connect investors with municipalities
Did you know?
Focus on Climate
New Ontario building code puts green building in focus
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.