In this edition:
- Thorold City Council approves recommendations in Building Fee Study Report
- Provinces on track to allow cross-border alcohol sales by next month, Ottawa says
- Gas Tax recipients announced, Niagara Region to receive $6.85M
- New study shows popular demand for federal housing strategy
- CRTC sets rates for competitive access to telecom fibre networks
- Focus on Retail
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Photo credit: City of Thorold
Thorold City Council approves recommendations in Building Fee Study Report
In consultation with the Niagara Home Builders Association (NHBA) the Building Fee Study Report was presented at a public meeting held during a special Council meeting on April 21, 2026. Council voted to receive the study and approve its recommendations, to delay implementation of the proposed fee schedule to November 1, 2026.
The City of Thorold has not increased building permit fees since 2018; however, the City cited a recent study which indicates that updates to the fee schedule are warranted. Following consultation with NHBA, City staff acknowledged concerns that immediate implementation could hinder the ongoing recovery of the home building market and new home sales.
Picture credit: jobi_pro / Adobe Stock
Provinces on track to allow cross-border alcohol sales by next month, Ottawa says
The federal government says 10 provinces and the Yukon are on track to allow consumers to buy Canadian alcohol directly from producers by next month.
Pierre-Alain Bujold, a spokesperson for the Privy Council Office, says provinces and territories are continuing to work toward the May 2026 deadline.
Photo credit: Niagara Transit
Gas Tax recipients announced, Niagara Region to receive $6.85M
The Ontario government is investing nearly $380 million through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program to help support public transit in 107 municipalities. The funding will be used for local public transit initiatives such as expanding service hours and transit routes, purchasing new vehicles and improving accessibility to increase transit ridership.
Under its new unified transit system, Niagara Region is set to receive $6,845,789 in funds.
Picture credit: Andrii Yalanskyi / Adobe Stock
New study shows popular demand for federal housing strategy
Research conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) highlights the urgent need for a more comprehensive federal housing strategy that includes stronger support for market-rate housing.
Despite continued strong demand for homeownership, confidence is eroding. Abacus Data polling shows that seven in ten non-homeowners want to own a home, including nearly nine in ten younger Canadians, yet a majority across key age and income groups now feel that homeownership is uncertain or out of reach.
Picture credit: xiaoliangge / Adobe Stock
CRTC sets rates for competitive access to telecom fibre networks
In February 2025, the CRTC began allowing competitors across Canada to use the largest telephone companies’ fibre networks to sell a wide range of communications services, including home Internet, television, telephone, and smart home services. Competitive providers have responded by announcing plans to deliver new competitive choices for up to 8.5 million Canadian households. Today’s decision sets final rates that competitors will pay for access to these fibre networks.
Focus on Retail
Gen Z: Balancing treats and budgets
Mario Toneguzzi, Retail Insider
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.
