In this edition:
- Government of Ontario announces $11B economic support package
- Largest gifts in college history celebrated at 2025 Niagara College Gala
- Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to celebrate Heritage and Designated Properties
- Niagara Region revamps budget process as it looks for better results
- Tolls set to increase at three Niagara border crossings
- Bank of Canada surveys show measurable negative tariff impact on business, consumer confidence
- Urgent federal support needed to save duty-free sector, association says
- Focus on International Trade
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Picture credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock
Government of Ontario announces $11B economic support package
The Ontario government announced today that it is providing approximately $11 billion in relief and support for workers and businesses as it labours to protect the province’s economy from economic uncertainty and the impact of U.S. tariffs.
“We can’t control President Trump, but we’re in full control of the kind of future we build for ourselves,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement.
As the first steps in its program of supports, the government announced deferral of select taxes from April to October, as well as further rebates distributed through the WSIB board.
Picture credit: Niagara College / supplied
Largest gifts in college history celebrated at 2025 Niagara College Gala
Niagara College celebrated two transformational gifts at its 33rd annual gala on April 5 at Fallsview Casino Resort—a $5 million donation from the Myhal Family Foundation, the largest individual gift in college history, and a $2 million donation from the Segal Family and GuardMe International Insurance, the largest individual gift toward a student program.
Picture credit: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake / supplied
Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to celebrate Heritage and Designated Properties
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is excited to host “Celebrating Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Heritage,” an event to recognize the community’s rich history and highlight properties designated as heritage sites since 2019.
Picture credit: Regional Municipality of Niagara
Niagara Region revamps budget process as it looks for better results
After hitting taxpayers with a 9.6 per cent budget hike this year, Niagara Region councillors hope an early start to the municipality’s 2026 spending envelope and some procedural changes can help find savings for next year.
The councillors’ first 2026 budget meeting was on March 6, when they reappointed Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop as budget chair and received a presentation on the state of the Region’s assets.
Picture credit: Rick Beauregard / Adobe Stock
Tolls set to increase at three Niagara border crossings
Tolls are going up at three Niagara border crossings next month.
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission announced tolls for passenger vehicles will increase at the Rainbow, Queenston-Lewiston and Whirlpool Rapids bridges starting May 1.
Picture credit: City of Thorold
City of Thorold turns 50, celebrates with new logo
On July 1, 1975, Thorold was officially incorporated as a city. To mark this milestone, the City has unveilled a new logo to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The logo will be featured throughout various events and activities planned for the year, and Thorold invites the community to join in the celebration.
Picture credit: Jeff Whyte / Bank of Canada
Bank of Canada surveys show measurable negative tariff impact on business, consumer confidence
The latest Canadian Survey of Consumer Expectations and the Business Outlook Survey, conducted by the Bank of Canada, were released today. The escalating trade conflict with the United States is damaging consumer sentiment, the Bank reports, with many consumers fearing imminent unemployment.
In the current economic environment, many businesses are delaying important decisions, such as those related to investment and hiring, until they have a clearer outlook. Hiring intentions are weak, and two-thirds of businesses believe that their costs would be pushed higher if widespread tariffs are implemented.
Picture credit: Mazur Travel / Adobe Stock
Urgent federal support needed to save duty-free sector, association says
A group representing duty-free stores across Canada is calling on all federal parties to adopt a three-point plan to save the businesses hard hit by trade tensions and a decline in cross-border travel.
“These businesses are in crisis — at a breaking point,” said Barbara Barrett, executive director of Frontier Duty Free Association, during a news conference on Parliament Hill Friday morning.
Focus on International Trade
‘Can’t just flip a switch’: Rerouting supply chains amid tariffs poses major hurdles
The notion that Canadian companies can simply switch supply chains in response to American tariffs is a fantasy, experts say.
With 25 per cent duties levied on some Canadian goods and the possibility of more tariffs to come, businesses north of the border are looking elsewhere to source their material and sell their products.
But companies caught up in tightly braided supply channels after decades of trade pacts and sector specialization may quickly bump into barriers around everything from transport and labour costs to resource availability, manufacturing capacity and market saturation.
“There are many, many industries that can’t just flip a switch,” said Ulrich Paschen, an instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Melville School of Business.
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.
