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Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Daily Update: September 19, 2024

In this edition:

  • Niagara College elects new chair and vice-chair, welcomes new board members
  • Niagara Transit operating budget poised to climb 5.88%
  • Government of Ontario invests $9.2M in Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses
  • Number of Canadians claiming EI increases for third month in a row
  • Skilled Trades Ontario launches first apprenticeship awards
  • Canada real estate: Royal LePage says foreign buyer ban has ‘had virtually no impact’
  • Focus on Human Resources

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Left: incoming chair Lora Tisi, right: incoming vice-chair Rashmi Biswas | Photo credit: Niagara College

Niagara College elects new chair and vice-chair, welcomes new board members

Niagara College is pleased to officially announce the election of the new Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors, as well as new Board members.

On September 1, Lora Tisi, accomplished International Retailer and former President of RW&CO Brand, began her term as Chair, and Rashmi Biswas, co-owner of Lake and Associates Canada Inc., was elected Vice-Chair. Tisi succeeds Mishka Balsom, a four-year Governor who served as Chair from September 2022 to August 2024.

The duo will lead the College’s committed group of volunteer Governors through the 2024-25 academic year.

Click here to read more.


Photo credit: Niagara Region Transit

Niagara Transit operating budget poised to climb 5.88%

Niagara Transit Commission has approved a gross operating budget of $87.5 million for next year, which represents a 5.88 per cent increase over 2024.

But the budget won’t include the addition of extended Sunday and holiday routes for intermunicipal transit users after the commission defeated a motion put forth by Caleb Ratzlaff, a St. Catharines city councillor, during its Tuesday meeting.

Click here to read more.


Photo credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock

Government of Ontario invests $9.2M in Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses

The Ontario government is providing $9.2 million in grants and funding to Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, communities, and organizations to support lasting economic prosperity.

The Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF) and the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program (ICCGP) are annual funds that support recipients across the province to develop infrastructure, create growth plans and provide employment services to help strengthen Indigenous communities and local economies. For 2024-25 Ontario is supporting 48 initiatives across the province with a total commitment of $3.2 million for the IEDF and a total commitment of $6 million for ICCGP.


Photo credit: Pixel-Shot / Adobe Stock

Number of Canadians claiming EI increases for third month in a row

In July, the number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits totalled 489,000, up 2.2% (+11,000) from a month earlier. This was the third consecutive monthly increase. Prior to these increases, the number of regular EI beneficiaries had held relatively steady since September 2023.

Click here to read more.


Photo credit: sidekick / Adobe Stock

Skilled Trades Ontario launches first apprenticeship awards

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) has announced the launch of its inaugural apprenticeship awards, designed to recognize excellence and dedication in the Ontario’s skilled trades apprenticeship system. Eligible nominees must be a registered apprentice with Ontario and have completed Level 1 in their trade.

Full award descriptions and nomination criteria are available here. Nominations will be open until Sept. 30.

Click here to read more.


Ray Chun | Photo credit: TD

TD Bank names Canadian banking head Ray Chun new CEO; Masrani to retire

TD Bank CEO Bharat Masrani will retire next year and hand over the job to the head of its Canadian banking unit Ray Chun, as Canada’s second-biggest lender braces for expected U.S. fines for weakness in its anti-money laundering protocols.

Click here to read more.


Photo credit: Rawf8 / Adobe Stock

Canada real estate: Royal LePage says foreign buyer ban has ‘had virtually no impact’

The federal government’s ban on foreign nationals and companies owning housing in Canada has not materially lowered prices or boosted the inventory of real estate on the market, says Royal LePage president and CEO Phil Soper, in a new report.

Click here to read more.


Did you know?

130 million people live within 800km of Niagara.


Focus on Human Resources

Why politics at work may impact Gen Z feelings of safety

Political discussions at work are increasingly common, posing new challenges for workplace safety, inclusion, and cohesion. As more employees engage in heated debates, health and safety professionals must rethink strategies to maintain harmony. Jacques Buffett, digital PR manager at Enhancv, discusses the findings of a recent report, emphasizing how younger employees are most affected. “Generation Z, who are a really big and upcoming generation in the workplace, seem to have some interesting differences from older generations that affect how they feel safe or comfortable,” Buffett notes.

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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