In this edition:
Ontario exploring increase to compensation for injured workers
Town of Lincoln receives additional funds for Youth Skills Studio
Niagara Health reports increased COVID activity, calls for civility
Inflation up again in March, now at highest level since 1991
Niagara College extends masking policy through May
Amazon opens Hamilton warehouse, announces 3 more in Ontario
Ontario exploring increase to compensation for injured workers
The Ontario government has directed the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to explore an increase in compensation for workers who become injured or ill on the job. The plan to raise benefits would direct more money to injured workers and families, but aims to minimize the impact on the Board’s financial health and employers’ premium rates.
Currently, the WSIB provides injured workers with payments equal to 85 per cent of their pre-accident take-home pay. The government and the Board are exploring raising this compensation up to 90 per cent.
<h2″>Town of Lincoln receives additional funds for Youth Skills Studio
The Town of Lincoln has received funding through the Province of Ontario’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) Round 2 of just over $2.5 million dollars. Funds will be used to extend the current programming offered through the Youth Skills Studio and will help address youth employment challenges, support local businesses adaptation of online technologies, and provide hospitality and soft skills training to support Lincoln’s tourism and hospitality sector.
These work-integrated learning projects will enable local businesses to connect with youth who will provide digital services for their businesses, including IT administration, digital marketing, and web development. New to this year’s program is the addition of the Hospitality and Tourism Training program which will be supporting 7,300 hours of work integrated learning and soft skills training to 70 youth aged 14-17 on a part-time basis.
For more information on the Youth Skills Studio, visit Speak Up Lincoln.
Niagara Health reports increased COVID activity, calls for respect and civility
There are currently 90 inpatients at Niagara Health who have tested positive in their care, including five in the ICU. Since Thursday, April 14, seven patients from the Niagara region who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.
Niagara Health would like to reinforce the importance of wearing face masks and following other public health recommendations to protect against this highly contagious virus.
Unfortunately, staff and physicians are experiencing an increased number of disrespectful behaviours directed towards them. With these latest pressures on the healthcare system, including in Emergency Departments, now more than ever, staff and physicians need our community’s support and kindness and to work in an environment where they are safe and respected.
Inflation up again in March, now at highest level since 1991
In March, Canadian consumer prices increased 6.7% year over year, one percentage point higher than the gain in February (+5.7%). Inflationary pressure remained widespread in March, as prices rose across all eight major components. Prices increased against the backdrop of sustained price pressure in Canadian housing markets, substantial supply constraints and geopolitical conflict, which has affected energy, commodity, and agriculture markets. Further, employment continued to strengthen in March, as the unemployment rate fell to a record low. In March, average hourly wages for employees rose 3.4% on a year-over-year basis.
Niagara College extends masking policy through May
Amid a recent surge in infections in the sixth wave of COVID in Ontario, Niagara College will extend a revised masking policy through the month of May and until further notice. All those entering a Niagara College building are required to wear a medical-grade or a three-ply cloth mask while indoors. While medical masks are encouraged, the branded 3-ply masks provided to students and employees meet the updated requirements. The updated masking policy is available here.
As previously announced, the College’s mandatory vaccination policy will expire as of April 23. COVID vaccines have proven effective in reducing the transmission and severity of the COVID-19 virus, and while it will no longer be mandatory, all members of the college community are encouraged to protect themselves and others by getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Amazon opens Hamilton warehouse, announces 3 more in Ontario
Amazon opened a new robotics centre in Hamilton on Tuesday and announced plans to open three more Ontario facilities in 2023.
The company said it will have:
- A robotics sortable fulfilment centre in Ottawa.
- A sorting centre in Whitby.
- A fulfilment centre in Southwold, which is near London, Ont.
All four centres are set to create 4,500 “safe” jobs, according to Amazon, with at least 1,500 at the Hamilton plant.
Reading Recommendations
Is the new normal too expensive? Inflation creating affordability concerns
CTV News
With Canada’s annual inflation at its highest point in over 30 years, experts say Canadians can anticipate their cost of living to increase significantly, warning that prices will likely not decrease for some time.
According to Statistics Canada, the annual rate of inflation hit 6.7 per cent in March, the fastest year-over-year increase in the consumer price index in over 31 years.
StatCan noted in its consumer price index this is the highest reading since inflation hit 6.9 per cent back in January 1991 when the GST was introduced.
‘Solid case’ for Bank of Canada to deliver full-point hike: Scotia
BNN Bloomberg
Scotiabank Head of Capital Markets Economics Derek Holt said there’s a “solid case” for the Bank of Canada (BoC) to unleash a Goliath-sized rate hike ranging from three-quarters of a point to a full percentage point as the central bank grapples with inflation at the highest level since 1991.
In a report to clients Wednesday afternoon, Holt said that while Scotia’s official call is for a second-straight half-point increase in June, consumer prices rising at a 6.7 per cent pace through March could bolster the case for faster and larger hikes.
“The fact that inflation is running amok should drive a minimum 50 basis point (bps) hike that we forecast at the next meeting in June. I had previously argued they should deliver a series of three 50bps moves,” he said. “There is even a solid case for the BoC to hike by 75–100bps in one shot.” (Each basis equals one-one hundredth of a percentage point).
Update on Ukraine
Niagara College goes the distance to help students impacted by war in Ukraine
NC is assisting international students impacted by the war in Ukraine with a range of supports – both financial and emotional – to help them through this challenging time. Whether they need financial assistance to help cover expenses, or emotional support as they struggle with anxiety over the safety of their loved ones in a war zone, Niagara College is demonstrating that they may be far away from home, but they are not alone.
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.
