In this edition:
- Canada-U.S. negotiators meet with midnight tariff deadline looming
- WSIB cuts 466 jobs across Ontario, including St. Catharines
- Ontario VQA wine sales surge 44% as Niagara wineries expand
- Niagara adds 10 family physicians, connects 9,000 more residents to primary care
- Ontario retail sales rise 1.6% in June
- St. Catharines opens applications for $207,720 in remaining cultural funding
- AutoCanada expects challenging Canadian auto market through 2026
- Ontario invests nearly $75 million in long-term care workforce training
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Picture credit: freshidea / Adobe Stock
Canada-U.S. negotiators meet with midnight tariff deadline looming
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and chief negotiator Janice Charette are meeting U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer today as both sides race to finalize a trade agreement. Without a deal, new 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods are set to take effect just after midnight.
Picture credit: snowing12 / Adobe Stock
WSIB cuts 466 jobs across Ontario, including St. Catharines
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is cutting 466 positions as it consolidates some remotely performed claims and account-management work. St. Catharines is among nine affected communities. The union representing employees warns the reductions could mean longer waits for decisions, reimbursements and return-to-work services.
Photo credit: fw_gadget / CC BY-SA 2.0
Ontario VQA wine sales surge 44% as Niagara wineries expand
Ontario VQA wine sales at the LCBO have risen 44%, while Niagara producers report major gains in sales and new customers. Henry of Pelham and Leaning Post say stronger demand has prompted hiring, equipment purchases, vineyard investment and increased grape demand, with both expecting much of the growth to endure even if U.S. wines return.
Picture credit: NVB Stocker / Adobe Stock
Niagara adds 10 family physicians, connects 9,000 more residents to primary care
Niagara added 10 family physicians and connected more than 9,000 additional residents to primary care during the first six months of 2026, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Health. Regional recruitment efforts include Connect to Care, launched last year by Niagara Region, local municipalities and health-care partners.
Picture credit: bernardbodo / Adobe Stock
Ontario retail sales rise 1.6% in June
Canadian retail sales increased 0.6% to $74.3 billion in June, while Ontario sales rose 1.6%. National sales volumes increased 1.5%, and core retail sales were up 1.2%. Statistics Canada’s preliminary estimate suggests national retail sales subsequently fell 0.8% in July.
Picture credit: Bob Magee / City of St. Catharines
St. Catharines opens applications for $207,720 in remaining cultural funding
St. Catharines has $207,720 left to allocate through five Cultural Investment Program streams this fall. Applications for Arts Development, Culture Builds Community, Festival and Performing Arts Centre Facility Access funding close Sept. 17. Two new grant streams were added this year following a 2025 program review.
Photo credit: Nomad_Soul / Adobe Stock
AutoCanada expects challenging Canadian auto market through 2026
AutoCanada expects difficult Canadian vehicle-market conditions through the remainder of 2026 as affordability pressures, financing costs and economic uncertainty weigh on consumers. Ontario has been among its more difficult markets, although Canadian vehicle sales showed signs of stabilizing in June and July after a weak first half.
Picture credit: Seventyfour / Adobe Stock | Stock photo
Ontario invests nearly $75 million in long-term care workforce training
Ontario is investing nearly $75 million over the next three years in programs intended to expand the long-term care workforce. Funding includes nursing career-bridging programs, training for 6,000 additional personal support workers, Francophone and Indigenous training initiatives, and professional development funding for existing long-term care staff.
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.