In this edition:
- Canada replaces seafood counter-tariffs with 50% levies on other U.S. goods
- EDC expands tariff support as nearly $3 billion already deployed
- Record-high 41 Niagara doctors now accepting new patients
- Niagara Transit launching regional Sunday and holiday service
- Canada’s balance of international payments, second quarter 2026
- Consumers say ‘resolve is strengthened’ to buy Canadian
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Picture credit: weyo / Adobe Stock
Canada replaces seafood counter-tariffs with 50% levies on other U.S. goods
The federal government is removing seafood from its counter-tariff list and imposing 50 per cent tariffs on other U.S. goods, including copper wire, wood charcoal, printed materials, plaster products and some packaging materials.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s office said the changes are intended to better match U.S. tariffs while avoiding the appearance of escalation against products that are not subject to U.S. tariffs.
Picture credit: Iryna / Adobe Stock
EDC expands $5-billion Trade Impact Program to reach more tariff-hit exporters
Export Development Canada (EDC) is expanding access to its existing $5-billion Trade Impact Program to support more Canadian exporters affected by U.S. tariffs.
Beginning September 1, the changes will include greater risk flexibility and a $700-million direct-financing envelope with more flexible terms. EDC says about $3 billion of the program’s capacity has already been deployed through more than 6,000 transactions supporting over 800 companies.
Picture credit: nenetus / Adobe Stock
Record-high 41 Niagara doctors now accepting new patients
Niagara has a record 41 family doctors accepting new patients, while the Connect to Care initiative has already connected 9,000 residents with physicians in 2026.
Recruitment efforts are also gaining ground, with 28 new family physicians attracted to Niagara in 2025 and 26 specialist physician offers signed this year across areas including emergency medicine, anesthesia and internal medicine.
Based on Niagara’s population and average doctor practice size, Niagara is still short about 107 of the 399 physicians it should have, statistics show.
Picture credit: Niagara Transit
Niagara Transit launching regional Sunday and holiday service
Getting around Niagara seven days a week is about to get easier, with Niagara Transit expanding Sunday and holiday service across the region.
Starting Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, Sunday and holiday service will be introduced on regional bus routes, route 751, and Niagara Transit Plus services, giving customers more options to get around their communities and connect to destinations across Niagara.
The expansion fills an important gap in the Niagara Transit network and responds to one of the most common requests heard from customers.
Picture credit: RomanR / Adobe Stock
Canada’s balance of international payments, second quarter 2026
Canada recorded an $8.8-billion current account surplus in the second quarter, reversing an $8.3-billion deficit in the first quarter. It was the country’s first surplus since 2022 and largest since 2005.
Strong growth in goods exports drove the turnaround, led by energy products, although exports increased across most product categories during the quarter.
Picture credit: Erman Gunes / Adobe Stock
Consumers say ‘resolve is strengthened’ to buy Canadian
Renewed U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods are strengthening the Buy Canadian movement, with some consumers taking increasingly deliberate steps to avoid American products and services.
Canadian-focused shopping groups and websites are reporting sharp increases in traffic, including a 300 per cent rise in August views for one Facebook group. Consumers are also looking beyond groceries to reconsider subscriptions, online shopping, travel and even American-owned social media platforms.
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.
