In this edition:
- Labour market may be starting to ease as Canada gains 62,500 paid employees in February while job vacancies fall
- New permanent Niagara Region Medical Officer of Health appointed
- Canada Post introduces carbon-neutral shipping at no additional fee
- Simpson’s Pharmacy purchased by SRx Health Solutions
- Habitat for Humanity Niagara Receives $150,000 Donation
- Pelham receives award for the annual financial report for third year
Labour market may be starting to ease as Canada gains 62,500 paid employees in February while job vacancies fall
The number of employees receiving pay or benefits from their employer—measured as “payroll employees” in the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours—rose by 62,500 (+0.3%) in February, following an increase of 75,300 (+0.4%) in January. This brings cumulative gains from September 2022 to February 2023 to 342,200 (+1.9%).
Across all sectors, job vacancies fell (-34,900; -4.0%) to 841,300 in February, offsetting the increase recorded in January (+25,700; +3.0%). The number of job vacancies in February was the lowest since August 2021.
New permanent Niagara Region Medical Officer of Health appointed
Niagara Regional Council, as Niagara’s Board of Health, has announced the appointment of Dr. Azim Kasmani as permanent Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner of Public Health and Emergency Services for Niagara Region.
Dr. Kasmani joined the Region as Associate Medical Officer of Health in August of 2021.
Regional Council has conveyed its sincere gratitude to Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, recognizing and thanking him for the many contributions he’s made throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Hirji has led Public Health and Emergency Services as Acting Medical Officer of Health since 2018, and upon the appointment of the permanent Medical Officer of Health, will resume his permanent role as Associate Medical Officer of Health.
Canada Post introduces carbon-neutral shipping at no additional fee
Canadians are now using carbon-neutral shipping when they send parcels by Canada Post’s ground services within Canada. All Domestic Regular Parcel and Expedited Parcel ground shipments, as well as Canada Post’s flat rate boxes, are now shipped as carbon-neutral.
For every tonne of greenhouse gas emissions generated by these domestic ground delivery services, Canada Post makes them carbon-neutral by removing one tonne from the atmosphere through the purchase of high-quality, accredited carbon offsets.
Using Canada Post’s “Find a rate” tool, small businesses and consumers can also see the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their deliveries and choose shipping options that best meet their needs and preferences. There is no additional fee for carbon-neutral shipping.
Simpson’s Pharmacy purchased by SRx Health Solutions
Simpson’s Pharmacy, a venerable Niagara-on-the-Lake health care institution for more than 45 years, has been purchased by SRx Health Solutions Inc., a major Canadian health and pharmaceutical company.
Sean Simpson, who has been running the company started by his father Ward in 1977, will assume the title of pharmacy liaison.
He and SRx both said customers should expect to see no change in how the business operates. The stores’ names and the Pharmasave affiliation will not change, he said.
Habitat for Humanity Niagara receives $150,000 donation
LJM Developments presented Habit for Humanity with a check for $150,000, which will be used to build more affordable homes.
“Habitat Niagara is challenged to do more as affordable housing remains a major concern across our region,” said Habitat Niagara’s CEO, Mark Carl. “We have an ambitious goal to build more homes and to serve as many families as possible. LJM’s donation will definitely make an impact on helping us achieve our goal as we move to a multi-residential building model.”
The charity says it is on track to build over 30 houses over the next five years.
Pelham receives award for the annual financial report for third year
The Town of Pelham has received an Award for Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its 2021 annual financial report, submitted for consideration in 2022.
The Canadian Award for Financial Reporting Program was established to encourage municipal governments throughout Canada to publish high-quality financial reports and to provide peer recognition and technical guidance for officials preparing these reports. Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
“For the third consecutive year, the Town of Pelham’s Annual Report has received this recognition,” said Treasurer and Director of Corporate Services Teresa Quinlin-Murphy. “Staff continued to prioritize the financial strength and sustainability of the Town, and the team is proud to provide residents with an easily readable and efficiently organized annual financial report.”
Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
New research shows women-owned businesses gaining ground
The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) released the State of Women’s Entrepreneurship (SOWE) in Canada 2023 Research Preview, which shows that despite the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is cause to be optimistic. Women-owned businesses are a growing proportion of businesses. Averaging the quarterly Canadian Survey on Business Conditions reports, WEKH researchers estimate that 18% of businesses, including small, medium and large businesses, are majority owned by women in Canada (SMEs account for 99.8% of these).
Previous research showed that 16.8% of SMEs in 2020 were majority women-owned, an increase from 15.6% in 2017. Another study indicated that the gap between women and men in terms of entrepreneurial intent is narrowing.
Survey shows Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs ineffective unless supported by sustained, accountable actions from the top down
A recent study commissioned by the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Canada, undertaken by research firm RKI, found that while senior leadership engagement and commitment on DEI is imperative, accountability for these programs extends across the whole organization.
81% of HR leaders stated that while senior leaders need to support DEI efforts, accountability is spread out with 82% of respondents stating senior leaders are accountable, while 61% indicate accountability lies with HR departments overall, and 49% believe accountability lies with employees.
Did you know?
Disney employees wash nearly 130 tonnes of laundry every single day.
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.
