In this edition:
- Niagara unemployment holds steady, but upticks nationwide prompt rate cut calls
- Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
- Niagara Home Builders’ Association hands out annual awards
- Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors delay approving Glendale Secondary Plan until January
- Downtown St. Catharines and Port Dalhousie to offer free parking Dec. 9 to Dec. 27
- Focus on Technology
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Picture credit: manassanant / Adobe Stock
Niagara unemployment holds steady, but upticks nationwide prompt rate cut calls
Niagara’s unemployment rate held at 6.7% in November, unchanged from October and significantly down from the 2024 peak of 8.4% in June. The national unemployment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 6.8%, the highest rate since 2017, notwithstanding pandemic years.
Economists with BMO and CIBC agreed that the uptick in unemployment likely called for a steeper rate cut by the Bank of Canada. The Honourable Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, echoed these calls in a statement.
“These results, once again, underscore the need for the Bank of Canada to lower interest rates,” Minister Fedeli said.
Picture credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Sheryl Johnson displays her NHBA award. / Picture credit: Niagara Home Builders
Niagara Home Builders’ Association hands out annual awards
The Niagara Home Builders’ Association has named its member and company of the year.
The annual Christmas Celebration and Elimination Draw took place at the Holiday Inn Convention Centre in St. Catharines this week.
Photo credit: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors delay approving Glendale Secondary Plan until January
Niagara-on-the-Lake town councillors have delayed approving the controversial new Glendale Secondary Plan until mid-January.
Coun. Sandra O’Connor said councillors only received the 800-page document from staff recommending approving the plan on Nov. 28, leaving not much time for review prior to Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting.
Picture credit: City of St. Catharines
Downtown St. Catharines and Port Dalhousie to offer free parking Dec. 9 to Dec. 27
Recognizing the holiday season is among the most expensive times of year for some residents, the City of St. Catharines is offering free afternoon parking at more than 1,000 City parking spots in Downtown St. Catharines and Port Dalhousie parking locations from Monday, Dec. 9 to Friday, Dec. 27. Visitors can park for up to three hours free from noon to 6 p.m. at all City pay-and-display machines, HONK Mobile zones and City of St. Catharines hourly surface parking lots as well as the Ontario Street Parking Garage.
Did you know?
Focus on Technology
US appeals court upholds TikTok law forcing its sale
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.
