In this edition:
- Government of Canada announces new support for Canadian businesses affected by U.S. tariffs
- Inflationary rate slows to 2.3% in March, below predictions
- Destiny Copper announces partnership with BMI Group to expand operations at Bioveld Niagara
- Niagara Falls development proposal, once referred to as Thundering Waters, becomes less contentious
- Marty Mako wins St. Catharines by-election
- Residents will get a say in what happens to old hospital property in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Matthias Oppenlaender re-elected Grape Growers of Ontario chair
- Honda not considering shifting production away from Canada, say minister and premier
- River Lions announce addition of Darren Peters to ownership group
- Local guides to welcome cruise ships and passengers back to Port Colborne
- Canadian housing demand and prices slide further in March
- “Dim outlook” for new home construction in Ontario and BC, association warns
- National manufacturing sales up for fifth straight month
- Focus on Retail
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Picture credit: The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne / Instagram
Government of Canada announces new support for Canadian businesses affected by U.S. tariffs
The Minister of Finance, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, today announced new measures for Canadian businesses and entities affected by the tariff dispute between Canada and the United States. These measures include the remission of some of the countermeasure tariffs announced by Canada in response to unjustified tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian products.
In the weeks and months ahead, additional measures will be brought forward, as needed, to support businesses and workers.
Picture credit: Monster Ztudio / Adobe Stock
Inflationary rate slows to 2.3% in March, below predictions
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.3 per cent year over year in March, following an increase of 2.6 per cent in February. Moderating the slowdown was the end of the temporary break on the Goods and Services Tax (GST)/Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on 15 February, which put upward pressure on prices for eligible products in March compared with February.
Economists polled by Reuters expected annual inflation for March to come in at 2.6 per cent.
Picture credit: Destiny Copper
Destiny Copper announces partnership with BMI Group to expand operations at Bioveld Niagara
Niagara-based Destiny Copper, a cleantech mineral recovery and processing company, has announced a partnership with BMI Group.
BMI Group, a real estate investment company specialising in infrastructure redevelopment at scale, has purchased a minority stake in Destiny Copper. This investment aims to support the expansion of Destiny’s copper recovery to copper powder production (CR-to-CP) pipeline, a proprietary technology that produces copper from industrial and mining waste.
Picture credit: Upper Canada Consultants
Niagara Falls development proposal, once referred to as Thundering Waters, becomes less contentious
It has changed names and gone through different owners, but what has been a controversial development proposal for south Niagara Falls took another step forward last week.
Niagara Falls city council approved Centennial Homes’ official plan and zoning bylaw amendment applications, along with a draft plan of subdivision modification, to allow a 626-dwelling unit development at 6357 Progress Street.
Picture credit: Marty Mako
Marty Mako wins St. Catharines by-election
Marty Mako is the newest member of St. Catharines city council. Mako, a commander with Niagara EMS, captured nearly twice as many votes as the second-place finisher in the Port Dalhousie by-election.
The council seat was left empty following the death of Carlos Garcia late last year. Mako will be sworn in at the next council meeting later this month.
Picture credit: Alphabet / Google Maps screenshot
Residents will get a say in what happens to old hospital property in Niagara-on-the-Lake
The future of the former hospital site in Niagara-on-the-Lake is up for discussion. The town is hoping to hear ideas from residents about the property at 176 Wellington Street.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa says they are asking community members to voice opinions on what the town is missing, and then council will get down to work on a redevelopment plan.
Picture credit: Grape Growers of Ontario
Matthias Oppenlaender re-elected Grape Growers of Ontario chair
Matthias Oppenlaender has been re-elected chair of the Grape Growers of Ontario’s board of directors.
Oppenlaender and his wife Monica, along with their five children, operate a 320-hectare farm of sustainable vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
He was elected Grape King in 2006, and in 2007 was elected to the GGO Growers’ committee and the board of directors. In 2009 he was elected vice-chair and held the position until 2016 when he was elected chair.
Picture credit: BGStock72 / Adobe Stock
Honda is not considering shifting production away from Canada, say minister and premier
Government officials are pushing back against a report that Honda is considering shifting some Canadian production to the United States in response to tariffs, calling it inaccurate and unconfirmed.
Federal Industry Minister Anita Anand refuted the claim in a social media post.
“I am in close contact with the company, and Honda has communicated that no such production decisions affecting Canadian operations have been made, and are not being considered at this time.”
Picture credit: Niagara River Lions
River Lions announce addition of Darren Peters to ownership group
The Niagara River Lions announced today that Darren Peters, Founder and President of Peters Construction Group, has joined the team’s ownership group.
“I’m proud to welcome Darren Peters to the River Lions ownership group,” said Richard Petko, Niagara River Lions Founder and Owner. “Darren’s deep ties to the Niagara community and his proven track record in driving growth make him the perfect fit. His passion for sports and commitment to our shared goals will be key as we continue our mission to become the best professional sports organization in Canada.”
Picture credit: City of Port Colborne / supplied
Local guides to welcome cruise ships and passengers back to Port Colborne
The reopening of the Welland Canal means cruise ships will soon return to Port Colborne, and a group of local guides are excited to show their city to the nautical visitors.
This year, Port Colborne will welcome more than 70 cruise ship visits from Viking, Victory, Pearl Seas, and Ponant between April 23 and October 27. A 30 per cent increase in visits is being seen in all Great Lakes ports, with more than 700 total visits this year and a $230-million economic impact to the Great Lakes region as a whole.
Photo credit: adragan / Adobe Stock
Canadian housing demand and prices slide further in March
Canadian home sales fell on a month-over-month basis once again in March 2025, as rising tariff turmoil and uncertainty is keeping home buyers on the sidelines.
Sales activity recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems sank 4.8 per cent month-over-month in March 2025. Along with declines in each of the three previous months, national home sales are now down 20 per cent from their recent high recorded last November.
Photo credit: karamysh / Adobe Stock
“Dim outlook” for new home construction in Ontario and B.C., association warns
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) 2025 Q1 Housing Market Index (HMI) is in its eleventh quarter of negative sentiment since dropping from the post-pandemic highs in 2021 and early 2022.
While industry sentiment has been low for eleven quarters, builders have typically remained optimistic that future sales would be an improvement over their current sales conditions (though still in negative territory). However, that optimism has dissolved: for the first time since the HMI started, the majority of both single- and multi-family builders rated their expectations for future sales as “poor” and worse than their current state.
Picture credit: dizfoto1973 / Adobe Stock
National manufacturing sales up for fifth straight month
Total manufacturing sales increased 0.2 per cent to $72.9 billion in February, marking the fifth consecutive monthly gain and the highest level since September 2023. Sales rose in 11 of the 21 subsectors in February 2025, led by the primary metal and chemical product subsectors. Petroleum and coal product sales posted the largest decline. On a year-over-year basis, total manufacturing sales rose 2.1 per cent in February.
Focus on Retail
Costco leads in reputation, but tariffs beginning to sour Canadians’ stance on U.S. retailers
Costco is now Canada’s most admired retailer, claiming the top spot in Leger’s annual Reputation ranking for the first time.
Now in its 28th year, the study ranks the most reputable companies based on a survey of more than 38,000 Canadians. Participants assessed 326 companies from 30 business sectors, with each company evaluated by 2,100 respondents. They’re simply asked whether they have a good opinion of a company, a bad opinion, or if they don’t know enough—or at all—to have an opinion.
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.
