In this edition:
- Tensions mount as clock ticks down on Air Canada contract talks
- St. Catharines to focus spending on encampment cleanup over outreach
- Niagara Region councillors sharply divided on housing incentive programs
- United Way Niagara launches $5.25 million campaign
- Niagara Angel Network partners with Venture Niagara
- City of Welland’s 2025 budget process begins
- Ontario could see lowest gas prices in nearly 2 years when winter blend kicks in
- Former Celebrity Cruises CEO named Hornblower chair
- Canadian household financial assets reach record high
- Building permits surge despite decline in single-family home construction
- Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
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Photo credit: SockaGPhoto / Adobe Stock
Tensions mount as clock ticks down on Air Canada contract talks
Tensions are mounting as a potential pilot strike or lockout at Canada’s largest airline is only days away with no signs of a breakthrough in talks.
Numerous business groups including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce are set to hold an event in Ottawa today to urge the government to intervene after calling for binding arbitration in an open letter.
The potential labour disruption could cost the economy $1.4 billion, according to a new report from Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec.
Photo credit: luzulee / Adobe Stock
St. Catharines to focus spending on encampment cleanup over outreach
St. Catharines may lose three homelessness outreach workers if Niagara Region doesn’t pick up the bill for them, after city councillors voted to reallocate its funding to cleaning up encampments.
Chief administrative officer David Oakes said the city has seen “a real proliferation of the number of encampments, the number of individuals dealing with mental health and addictions in the community” in the past few years.
Photo credit: zephyr_p / Adobe Stock
Niagara Region councillors sharply divided on housing incentive programs
Niagara Region councillors have voted to extend a series of financial incentives for developers that St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe says is a necessity to help deal with the housing crisis.
Some councillors, however, warn the decision to continue incentive programs will land heavily on taxpayers when the Region finishes preparation of its 2025 budget.
Left: United Way Niagara campaign chair Brad Steeves Right: United Way Niagara CEO Frances Hallworth | Photo credit: United Way Niagara
United Way Niagara is counting on the support of donors to raise $5.25 million to enable its partner agencies to deliver hundreds of support programs next year to about a third of all Niagarans.
United Way launched its 2024 campaign Tuesday with its third annual fire truck pull at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre in St. Catharines.
Image credit: Niagara Angel Network / Venture Niagara
Niagara Angel Network partners with Venture Niagara
Click here to read more.
Photo credit: lovelyday12 / Adobe Stock
City of Welland’s 2025 budget process begins; focus on collaboration and community engagement
The City of Welland has officially launched its 2025 budget process, incorporating new strategies to enhance collaboration and transparency. Developing this year’s budget development emphasizes public engagement, Council and staff coordination, and efficient planning in line with provincial legislation.
Click here to read more.
Image credit: Fxquadro / Adobe Stock
Ontario could see lowest gas prices in nearly 2 years when winter blend kicks in
Ontario drivers, who are already enjoying relatively low gasoline prices, are likely in for even better prices next week.
Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, said the winter gas blend switchover happens Sept. 15. He anticipates a corresponding price drop of four to five cents per litre at the pump between Sunday and Wednesday — probably on Wednesday.
Photo credit: Hornblower Group
Former Celebrity Cruises CEO named Hornblower chair
Hornblower Group, an provider of ferry services and day tours on land and water, has appointed former Celebrity Cruises CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo as chairwoman of the board.
Lutoff-Perlo will be tasked with guiding Hornblower’s strategic direction. Her appointment comes two months after Hornblower emerged from bankruptcy and a financial restructuring that put the company under new ownership with private equity firm Strategic Value Partners.
Photo credit: Tinnakorn / Adobe Stock
Canadian household financial assets reach record high despite financial and real estate market softening
Despite slowing financial markets and a softening housing market, the value of household total assets surpassed $20 trillion for the first time in the second quarter, Statistics Canada reported today.
Overall, households’ financial assets increased 0.9% (+$94.0 billion) in the second quarter to reach a record high ($10,116.3 billion) for the third consecutive quarter, despite weaker domestic equity markets.
Photo credit: Francesco Scatena / Adobe Stock
Building permits surge despite decline in single-family home construction
Month over month, the total value of building permits in Canada surged 22.1% to $12.4 billion in July, rebounding from two consecutive monthly declines. Both the residential and non-residential sectors expanded in July.
The total monthly value of residential permits increased 16.7% to $7.6 billion in July. The gains were driven by the multi-unit component (+29.3%; +$1.1 billion), while single-family construction intentions saw a modest decline (-1.9%; -$50.3 million).
Did you know?
Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Anti-Racism & Organizational Change: A Guide for Employers
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.
