In this edition:
- Ontario introduces legislation reforming governance in Niagara and other regions
- GNCC reacts to governance changes announced for Niagara
- Creating a plan for former GM property subject of public meeting
- Floodplain mapping underway in Upper Welland tributaries; NPCA invites continued public input
- Food and beverage sales volume expected to decline in 2026
- Canada’s labour market is ‘static’ after U.S. tariffs, population shift
- Ontario cutting small business tax by $1.1B
- Deloitte Canada cuts GDP forecast by 20%, sees oil spike easing
- Focus on Housing Solutions
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Picture credit: Brad Demers / Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Ontario introduces legislation reforming governance in Niagara and other regions
Today, the Ontario government introduced the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 that would, if passed, make a number of changes to the way regional governments function in some of Ontario’s fastest growing regions.
The proposed changes include giving the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the power to appoint upper-tier council chairs in eight fast-growing regions and granting these council chairs “strong chair” powers to help them deliver on government priorities, such as housing and infrastructure. The proposed legislation would also reduce the size of Simcoe County Council and Niagara Regional Council.
Picture credit: Regional Municipality of Niagara
GNCC reacts to governance changes announced for Niagara
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the Ontario government’s proposed Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 and the significant changes it would introduce to regional governance in Niagara.
The focus now is on ensuring that any new governance model delivers tangible, positive outcomes. For Niagara, success will be reflected not only in structural change, but in the extent to which that change contributes to building the housing, infrastructure, services, and economic conditions the region needs to thrive.
Picture credit: Google Maps Streetview / Alphabet
Creating a plan for former GM property subject of public meeting
The future of St. Catharines’ former General Motors property and the surrounding Ontario Street corridor is the focus of an upcoming public meeting as the city relaunches its stalled secondary plan.
Residents are being invited to share their thoughts about what they’d like to see developed at the 22-hectare brownfield property.
Picture credit: Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
Floodplain mapping underway in Upper Welland tributaries; NPCA invites continued public input
Floodplain mapping is now underway in the Upper Welland River watershed, as the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) advances a multi-municipal study to better understand and manage flood risk across nineteen tributaries.
The study area includes portions of Haldimand County, the City of Hamilton, the Township of West Lincoln, and the Township of Wainfleet.
Photo credit: monticellllo / Adobe Stock
Food and beverage sales volume expected to decline in 2026
The Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Food and Beverage Report forecasts food and beverage manufacturing sales will increase 0.8 per cent in 2026, driven by higher prices, while sales volumes are expected to decline by 0.7 per cent. That would mark the fourth consecutive year of falling volumes, continuing a trend where higher prices support revenues while underlying demand remains weak.
Picture credit: NVB Stocker / Adobe Stock
Canada’s labour market is ‘static’ after U.S. tariffs, population shift
Apr. 2 marks one year since U.S. President Donald Trump upended the global trading system with his “Liberation Day” duties — a major step in his wider tariff campaign that’s hammered critical sectors of Canada’s labour market.
With roughly a year of employment data now in hand showing the impact of Trump’s tariffs on Canadian jobs, economists say some of the early resilience to the trade disruption is giving way to a stalled labour market. A shrinking labour pool is also throttling job growth, experts warn.
Picture credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock
Ontario cutting small business tax by $1.1B
The Ontario government is delivering a $1.1 billion cut to the small business corporate income tax (CIT), from 3.2 per cent to 2.2 per cent, over the next three years. This tax cut, which is a 31.25 per cent cut to the existing rate, would provide more than 375,000 Ontario small businesses with up to $5,000 in tax relief every year.
Picture credit: Dilok / Adobe Stock
Deloitte Canada cuts GDP forecast by 20%, sees oil spike easing
Deloitte Canada has shaved 20 per cent off its growth forecast for Canada’s economy in 2026, citing an increasingly tough environment for consumers and businesses.
The big four accounting firm predicts soaring energy prices linked to war in the Middle East will weigh on consumer spending, adding to a laundry list of economic challenges and uncertainties stretching from foreign trade to a soft labour market.
Focus on Housing Solutions
The uglification of Canada
Suneeta Millington, Maclean’s
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.
