In this edition:
- Most businesses still anticipate obstacles, but confidence is growing
- Port Colborne residents asked for feedback on Additional Dwelling Units
- Canadians shift spending to local businesses, Interac report shows
- For foreign investors, Canada’s commercial real estate fundamentals remain solid
- Parliamentary Budget Officer says 3.2 million new homes needed to close housing gap
- Focus on Canada-U.S. Business
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Picture credit: Andrey Popov / Adobe Stock
Most businesses still anticipate obstacles, but confidence is growing
In the third quarter of 2025, 62.2% of businesses across Canada expect cost-related obstacles over the next three months, down from 65.4% in the second quarter of 2025.
Within the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, released today, cost-related obstacles consist of inflation; cost of inputs; interest rates and debt costs; cost of insurance; cost of real estate, leasing or property taxes; and transportation costs.
Picture credit: samiam2007 / Adobe Stock
Port Colborne residents asked for feedback on Additional Dwelling Units
The City of Port Colborne is seeking community input on Additional Dwelling Units.
According to the City’s current by-laws and policies, a single ADU is permitted on any lot containing a single-detached, semi-detached, townhouse, or street townhouse dwelling. However, provincially, the rules state that three ADUs are permitted “by-right” under certain circumstances. The City must comply with the provincial rules.
Photo credit: Yuliia / Adobe Stock
Canadians shift spending to local businesses, Interac report shows
New survey data from Interac reveals that nearly eight in ten Canadians (78%) have redirected at least one monthly purchase from a big-box or international retailer to a local Canadian business since tariffs were first announced, with a quarter of Canadians shifting three to five purchases a month, and one-fifth of Canadians pivoting six or more.
Photo credit: Peera / Adobe Stock
For foreign investors, Canada’s commercial real estate fundamentals remain solid
Investment conditions for Canadian commercial real estate are looking more favourable compared to those in the United States, according to the Colliers Canada report Why Invest in Canada 2025.
“Generally, when the world is chaotic and scary, people run to the U.S. and buy U.S. dollars, U.S. bonds and U.S. stocks, but we’re in an unusual situation where the U.S. is the cause of the chaos,” said Colliers Canada head of research Adam Jacobs.
Picture credit: nipol / Adobe Stock
Parliamentary Budget Officer says 3.2 million new homes needed to close housing gap
Canada needs to build 3.2 million new homes in the next decade to close the housing gap but isn’t on track to do that, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said in a new analysis published on Tuesday.
The latest PBO report estimates the number of new home builds will be higher over the next three years but will gradually return to historical averages after that.
Focus on Canada-U.S. Business
Canada is leading the U.K. and France in boycotting American goods due to Trump’s tariffs
Shelley Boulianne, The Conversation
Since taking office, United States President Donald Trump has used tariffs to address perceived trade deficits with other countries. He claims that other countries have cheated and pillaged the U.S. via trade deficits.
In response, many political leaders have implemented retaliatory tariffs on American products, although Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently lifted many of them in an apparent peace offering amid Canada-U.S. trade negotiations.
Citizens have also been engaged in these trade wars by avoiding the purchase of American products and services, as well as avoiding travel to the U.S.
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.
