In this edition:
- Inflation increases to 2.4%, driven by gasoline prices and Middle East conflict
- GNCC event highlights resilience, innovation, and investment opportunities for Niagara businesses
- Ontario introduces new red tape reduction legislation
- Bank of Canada surveys reveal shrinking consumer confidence but growing expectations of sales growth
- Ottawa labour law review could remake safety rules in high‑risk sectors
- Niagara-on-the-Lake launches public engagement on short term rentals
- West St. Catharines properties still waiting for potential to be ‘unlocked’
- Niagara Falls, St. Catharines put out calls for artists
- Federal pause on gasoline, diesel tax takes effect today, after Iran fuel price spike
- Council of the Great Lakes Region launches water management toolkit for businesses
- Focus on Technology
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Photo credit: Monster Ztudio / Adobe Stock
Inflation increases to 2.4%, driven by gasoline prices and Middle East conflict
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.4% year over year in March, up from an increase of 1.8% in February.
Driving faster price growth in headline inflation were higher prices for energy, especially gasoline, due to the conflict in the Middle East. Excluding gasoline, the CPI rose at a slower pace year over year in March (+2.2%) compared with February (+2.4%).
Picture credit: Anne Kalagian / Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
GNCC event highlights resilience, innovation, and investment opportunities for Niagara businesses
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce welcomed business and community leaders this morning for a timely discussion on the economic outlook facing Ontario and Canada, featuring remarks from BDC Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux and the Honourable Nina Tangri, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Small Business, with greetings from the Honourable Sam Oosterhoff, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries. The event was held in partnership with the Niagara Association of REALTORS®, whose support helped bring together local stakeholders for a substantive conversation on growth, investment, and competitiveness.
Picture credit: andranik123 / Adobe Stock
Ontario introduces new red tape reduction legislation
Today, the Ontario government introduced the Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (POWER Act). This legislation and associated policies would, if passed, take the next step in the government’s plan to cut red tape and streamline provincial permits and approvals. Particular focus is given to clarifying and improving service standards for business permit applications, along with mining and IT streamlining.
Photo credit: Elena Berd /Adobe Stock
Bank of Canada surveys reveal shrinking consumer confidence but growing expectations of sales growth
The Canadian Survey of Consumer Expectations results revealed today showed flagging consumer spending plans, held back by concerns about high prices and economic uncertainty. Consumers continued to view the labour market as soft, with fears of losing their job still elevated. This quarter, concerns about job losses increased among workers in sectors where artificial intelligence poses a higher risk of task replacement.
Conversely, the Business Outlook Survey, released simultaneously, shows that business sentiment improved slightly from last quarter to levels similar to those from before the trade conflict with the United States began. Firms expect improvements in sales growth. Fewer firms than last quarter reported that trade tensions are impacting their sales outlook, while more said public spending is supporting sales.
Picture credit: visoot / Adobe Stock
Ottawa labour law review could remake safety rules in high‑risk sectors
Ottawa’s new review of federal labour laws could usher in significant changes to workplace safety rules for more than one million workers in high‑risk, federally regulated sectors.
On April 17, the federal government launched consultations on ways to “modernize the federal labour relations framework” for employers and workers in industries such as air, rail, road and marine transportation, banks, and postal and courier services.
Photo credit: Andrii Yalanskyi / Adobe Stock
Niagara-on-the-Lake launches public engagement on short term rentals
As directed by Council, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is launching a public engagement initiative to gather community and operator feedback focused on Short Term Rentals (STRs) and their role in the community. STRs include bed-and-breakfasts, cottage rentals, country inns, vacation apartments, and villas.
Photo credit: City of St. Catharines
West St. Catharines properties still waiting for potential to be ‘unlocked’
A village-like community with low-rise apartments, townhouses, offices, shops, a park and pathways could transform a pair of mostly vacant properties in west St. Catharines — if changes are made in the city’s official plan.
The owners of the lands at 2060 and 2126 First St. Louth have a vision for a neighbourhood called West Village, but can’t turn the concept into reality because of current land use constraints.
Picture credit: proimagecontent / Adobe Stock
Niagara Falls, St. Catharines put out calls for artists
The City of Niagara Falls is inviting local artists to showcase their work in the upcoming Juried Art Exhibition at the Niagara Falls Exchange.
Presented by the Niagara Falls Culture Committee, the exhibition will be on display in the Niagara Falls Exchange Atrium Gallery (5943 Sylvia Place) from Thursday, August 6 to Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The City of St. Catharines invites submissions from 2SLGBTQIA+ artists at every career stage from across the Niagara Region for “Full Colour: A Celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Art and Expression,” a group exhibition to be presented during Pride Month in June.
Photo credit: Kate / Adobe Stock
Federal pause on gasoline, diesel tax takes effect today, after Iran fuel price spike
Ottawa’s temporary suspension of some fuel taxes kicks in today, with Canadians likely to save 10 cents per litre on regular gasoline, and four cents on a litre of diesel.
Prime Minister Mark Carney had announced last week a pause on those fuel excise taxes up until Labour Day.
Picture credit: Billy McDonald / Adobe Stock
Council of the Great Lakes Region launches water management toolkit for businesses
The Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR), through its Great Lakes Water Innovation and Stewardship Exchange (WISE), and in partnership with participating organizations, has released a Corporate Water Stewardship Toolkit to help businesses strengthen water management and stewardship practices across the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence region.
Focus on Technology
Protecting Canada’s cultural sovereignty: Why Canadian communications companies need a level playing field against U.S. streaming giants
Elizabeth Chorney-Booth, The Walrus
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.
