In this edition:
- GO station upgrades to save Niagara riders 15 minutes per roundtrip
- Seven Niagara communities on shortlist for Strong Mayor powers
- Trump pauses most global tariffs, but changes nothing for Canada and Mexico
- Niagara Health and Wellspring Niagara partner to enhance cancer care and support
- St. Catharines water infrastructure ‘must be dealt with,’ despite tariff implications
- City of Niagara Falls Arts & Culture Wall of Fame nominations open
- Port Colborne to celebrate Earth Day with free tree giveaway
- WSIB partners with CCOHS to grant free access to health-and-safety portal
- Walmart, Delta pull forecasts and outlooks over tariff uncertainty
- Ontario tourism using ‘arms open’ approach to attract Americans
- Focus on Technology
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Picture credit: Reimar / Adobe Stock
GO station upgrades to save Niagara riders 15 minutes per roundtrip
As part of its plan to deliver faster and more reliable GO service across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Ontario government has completed construction at West Harbour GO Station, including a recent upgrade that will save more than 250,000 commuters in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines roughly 15 minutes per roundtrip.
Picture credit: S…/ Adobe Stock
Seven Niagara communities on shortlist for Strong Mayor powers
Ontario is proposing to expand strong mayor powers to the heads of council in 169 additional municipalities effective May 1, 2025 to help deliver on provincial priorities, such as building more homes, transit and other infrastructure across Ontario.
Included on the list are Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Port Colborne, Thorold, and West Lincoln.
Picture credit: Office of the President of the United States
Trump pauses most global tariffs, but changes nothing for Canada and Mexico
U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly changed his tariff policy again today, pausing his so-called “reciprocal tariffs” for many countries around the world for 90 days.
The White House initially said the flip-flop would leave Canada with another 10 per cent baseline tariff, but later reversed course.
Picture credit: Niagara Health / supplied
Niagara Health and Wellspring Niagara partner to enhance cancer care and support
Niagara patients undergoing treatment for cancer, their families and caregivers now have expanded access to vital support through a new partnership between Niagara Health and Wellspring Niagara.
The Niagara Health-Wellspring Niagara Partnership in Cancer Care, which launched officially on Wednesday, aims to enhance patient well-being by integrating hospital-based treatment with support services in the community.
Picture credit: City of St. Catharines
St. Catharines water infrastructure ‘must be dealt with,’ despite any tariff implications
St. Catharines isn’t sure how tariffs will affect attempts to fix its massive aging water and wastewater infrastructure backlog that city staff are hoping to clear in 35 years.
The city has an estimated $423 million to $645 million worth of work required to its water and wastewater infrastructure assets, which are paid for through water and wastewater rates.
Picture credit: City of Niagara Falls / supplied
City of Niagara Falls Arts & Culture Wall of Fame nominations open
The City of Niagara Falls is pleased to announce that the Arts & Culture Wall of Fame nominations are open, offering an opportunity to recognize individuals or groups that have made outstanding and significant contributions to the city’s arts and cultural landscape.
Picture credit: City of Port Colborne / supplied
Port Colborne to celebrate Earth Day with free tree giveaway
Port Colborne is going green for Earth Day with the return of the City’s free tree giveaway.
The first-come, first-served event begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, supplying 500 free trees and 100 free seed packs to Port Colborne residents.
Picture credit: visoot / Adobe Stock
WSIB partners with CCOHS to grant free access to health-and-safety portal
As part of its commitment to help move the needle on workplace health and safety, Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has partnered with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) to provide all WSIB-registered businesses free access to CCOHS’ Business Safety Portal.
WSIB-registered businesses can save up to $1,700 annually on the Business Safety Portal’s subscription fee. Nearly 1,000 businesses have already signed up.
Picture credit: JHVEPhoto/ Adobe Stock
Walmart, Delta pull forecasts and outlooks over tariff uncertainty
U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war with China and other countries has led Walmart to defer its first-quarter operating income outlook, while Delta Air Lines pulled its guidance for 2025 on Wednesday as the trade war scrambles expectations for business and household spending and depresses bookings across the travel sector.
Picture credit: photobyphotoboy/ Adobe Stock
Ontario tourism using ‘arms open’ approach to attract Americans amid political tension
While the headlines bring unwelcome news to the American tourism industry, members of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) aren’t as worried.
There’s a sense among the organization that tourism advocates can seize this volatile moment in politics by branding provincial communities as friendly, must-visit destinations for foreigners.
Focus on Technology
Canada needs an abundance of electrical energy
Prosperity does not come without an abundance of energy. But today it is exceptionally difficult to build new generation, transmission, and storage infrastructure.
Canada will need more electricity to support a growing population, thriving economy and power energy-intensive industries like artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
By creating regulatory certainty, ensuring long-term commitment, and reducing administrative burden we can foster innovation, create high-value jobs and drive down consumer costs, and secure Canada’s economic future.
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.
