In this edition:
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- Ontario aims to assist labour shortages through programs for workers with criminal records
- Canadian farmers plan biggest wheat crop in two decades
- Striking public servants target Peace Bridge
- Bank of Canada Governing Council believes restoring price stability will be “more difficult than anticipated”
- Global Steel Climate Council releases global standard to measure and report carbon emissions
Ontario aims to assist labour shortages through programs for workers with criminal records
The Ontario government is investing $12 million to support nine innovative projects designed to help up to 2,000 people leaving the justice system or with prior criminal records find meaningful jobs with local businesses. More than one million people in Ontario live with a criminal record, which can decrease the chances of a second interview by 50 per cent and drastically increases the likelihood of long-term poverty.
Led by various organizations across multiple sectors, the programs announced today will prepare jobseekers for well-paying careers in construction, manufacturing, hospitality, food and beverage processing, and other industries.
Canadian farmers plan biggest wheat crop in two decades
Canadian farmers expect to plant more wheat, canola, corn for grain, barley and soybeans in 2023, while area seeded to oats, lentils and dry peas is anticipated to decrease compared with the previous year.
Given the intention of farmers to plant a greater area of wheat, canola, corn for grain and soybeans, there is an expected increase in seeded area for grains and oilseeds, while pulse and special crops are anticipated to decrease.
At the national level, farmers anticipate planting 27.0 million acres of wheat in 2023, up 6.2% from the previous year. Spring wheat area (+7.5% to 19.4 million acres), durum wheat area (+0.9% to 6.1 million acres) and winter wheat area (+12.7% to 1.5 million acres) are all expected to increase. If realized, national wheat area would be the highest it has been in more than two decades. An anticipated increase in area for wheat is possibly attributable to favourable prices and strong demand.
Striking public servants target Peace Bridge
Striking members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada are picketing at the Peace Bridge this morning. A growing number of people have been slowing traffic trying to use the bridge.
The move is part of the escalation tactics the union said they would be taking this week as they are no closer to a deal. In Hamilton, the picket line has also targeted the lift bridge, slowing the movement of ships into the harbour.
Bank of Canada Governing Council believes restoring price stability will be “more difficult than anticipated”
In the report of their April 12 meeting released today, the Bank of Canada’s Governing Council noted that while global economic growth remained subdued, it was again coming in stronger than expected, particularly in the euro area and the United States. In the United States, goods consumption in the first two months of 2023 was surprisingly robust, supported by ongoing strength in disposable income. Despite the severe economic effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the euro area economy proved to be more resilient than expected, partly reflecting less severe winter weather and new non-Russian energy supplies. Unemployment remained low, and the improved outlook for the supply of energy boosted consumer and business confidence.
Momentum in core inflation in the euro area and the United States rose in the first two months of 2023. Governing Council agreed that while restrictive monetary policy is expected to bring inflation down, the persistence of high core and services inflation could make restoring price stability more difficult than anticipated.
Global Steel Climate Council releases global standard to measure and report carbon emissions
The Global Steel Climate Council (GSCC) released a draft of The Steel Climate Standard, a global standard to measure and report steel carbon emissions. The standard focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the global steel industry with a science-based glidepath to reduce emissions in line with the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement to achieve a 1.5º C scenario. The standard offers a single, technology-agnostic protocol that would apply to all steel producers equally on a global basis and would enable steel customers to know and compare the actual carbon emissions associated with steel products.
In publishing its standard, the GSCC is inviting interested organizations to review The Steel Climate Standard and submit comments, which are due by May 17, 2023. The full text of the document and guidelines on submitting comments can be found at: https://globalsteelclimatecouncil.org
Focus on Climate
5 Easy Ways Your Small Business Can Go Green and Save Green
Just because you own a small business and you are operating on a limited budget does not mean that you can’t go green.
Going green can benefit your business, reduce your carbon footprint, and also attract a new target market. If you are looking for ways to reduce your consumption, or simply looking for ways to save money in the long run, here are 4 ways that your small business can start to go green.
Grocery leaders share how they’re prioritizing their sustainability efforts
More than ever, Canadian consumers expect food retailers and brands to do their part to help fight the climate crisis. But what does that mean, exactly?
Whether it’s taking steps to prevent food waste, investing in eco-friendly store upgrades or working in partnership with environmental organizations to create positive change in the communities they serve, grocers are rising to the sustainability challenge. Read on to learn more.
Did you know?
The Bank of Montreal was Canada’s central bank until the founding of the Bank of Canada in 1935.
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.
