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Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Daily Update: August 21 2024

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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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.

Click here to read more.


Photo credit: IanDewarPhotography / Adobe Stock

Business associations demand Government of Canada act to prevent rail strike

With a full shutdown of Canada’s rail network less than 24 hours away, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of Canada, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters have called on the federal government to take immediate action to ensure the continuation of rail services.

Under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the associations said, the Minister of Labour can refer the dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for binding arbitration and prohibit a strike, lockout or end any ongoing stoppage pending a resolution.

However, legal experts say it’s not clear that such a decision would be approved by the labour board or survive a subsequent constitutional challenge.

Click here to read more.


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.

Click here to read more.


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.

Click here to read more.


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.

Click here to read more.


Photo credit: Tinnakorn / Adobe Stock

Niagara real estate competition grinds to a halt

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.

Click here to read more.


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.

Click here to read more.


Photo credit: Government of Ontario / YouTube screenshot

Premier Ford announces new portal to connect investors with municipalities

During his address to members of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario at their annual general meeting in Ottawa Aug. 19, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new online portal the government has developed to help local and international investors better connect with municipalities.

Municipalities will be able to upload information about commercial and industrial properties in their communities and provide companies with information supporting investment, including demographic trends, market analysis and First Nations treaty areas.

Click here to read more.


Did you know?

The oldest business in the world was Kongo Gumi, a Japanese construction firm founded in 578 CE.


Focus on Climate

New Ontario building code puts green building in focus

The new 2024 Ontario Building Code is set to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2025 and will have big implications for Ontario builders.

The public review period for the NBC (National Building Code of Canada) just ended on July 29 and is set to be unveiled next year. This update will deliver a major green shift to the code with the inclusion of standards for operational greenhouse gas emissions and technical requirements for existing building stock.

Related, the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings, released in 2020, also outlines several means to achieve higher energy efficiency rates while minimizing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

However, individual provinces still need to modify their existing building codes to fall in line with national standards with the brand new 2024 Ontario Building Code being the first to make such modifications.

Click here to read more.


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.


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