In this edition:
- AG: opening greenbelt land to development showed favouritism and lack of consultation
- Canadian household income falls for first time in ten years
- Lincoln and Pelham announce new EV charging station projects
- June building permits up 6.1%, industrial builds increase by 51%
- Minister O’Regan to examine structural issues behind port labour disputes
- Federal government announces investment in ship manufacturing infrastructure
- Coors launches grant program to help entrepreneurs scale up their businesses
- Reading Recommendations: Climate
AG: opening greenbelt land to development showed favouritism and lack of consultation
Provincial government actions in 2022 to open parts of the Greenbelt for development failed to consider environmental, agricultural and financial risks and impacts, proceeded with little input from experts or affected parties, and favoured certain developers/landowners,” Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk said in a special report tabled today with the Legislature. Lysyk also noted that the owners of the 15 land sites removed from the Greenbelt could ultimately see more than an $8.3 billion increase to the value of their properties.
“The exercise to change the Greenbelt boundaries in Fall 2022 cannot be described as a standard or defensible process,” Lysyk stated.
Premier Ford said he took full responsibility for what he called the “flawed process” of selecting sites for his Greenbelt land swap and that his government would implement 14 of the report’s 15 recommendations – the exception is reconsideration of land included in his government’s Greenbelt land swap.
Canadian household income falls for first time in ten years
Following 10 consecutive years of growth, the median after-tax income of families decreased to $59,300 (-2.8%) in 2021. This decrease was seen in all provinces and territories, led by Nunavut (-7.7%) and Manitoba (-4.9%). The three largest regional decreases in median family after-tax income occurred in the Windsor (-5.7%), Winnipeg (-5.0%) and Toronto (-4.9%) census metropolitan areas (CMAs).
The decrease in after-tax income was due in large part to the end of several benefits issued by the government in 2020 to financially support Canadians affected by loss of employment income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was partially offset by a limited rebound of employment income in 2021.
Lincoln and Pelham announce new EV charging station projects
The Town of Lincoln has announced the implementation of an electric vehicle (EV) charging stations project, made possible with funding support of $105,000.00 from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP). This initiative aligns with the Town’s commitment to sustainability and implementing green infrastructure in the community.
The Town of Pelham also announced that it will install two new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Meridian Community Centre with $100,000 in support from Pollution Probe’s CHARGED program. Pollution Probe is a national, not-for-profit, charitable organization established in 1969 that pursues environmental gains by productively working with governments, industry and the public.
June building permits up 6.1%, industrial builds increase by 51%
The total monthly value of building permits in Canada increased 6.1% in June to $11.6 billion, with a notable 67.2% monthly increase (+$619.3 million) in the institutional component.
The total monthly value of non-residential permits increased 20.4% to $4.7 billion in June. Declines in the commercial construction intentions (-7.7% or -$176.0 million) were more than offset by gains in the industrial (+51.0% or +$349.9 million) and institutional (+67.2% or +$619.3 million) components.
Minister O’Regan to examine structural issues behind port labour disputes
“The recent dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association caused serious disruption to our economy,” said federal Minister of Labour and Seniors Seamus O’Regan in a statement issued today. “The deal reached by the parties brought stability to our supply chains.
“But another dispute and disruption on that scale is still possible, and that’s not good enough. The workers and businesses that depend on our ports deserve long-term solutions.”
The Minister announced that he would be exercising his powers under Section 106 of the Canada Labour Code to examine the structural issues underlying this recent dispute, as well as similar disputes that have occurred at ports across Canada.
Federal government announces investment in ship manufacturing infrastructure
Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the Government of Canada is revitalizing the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) surface fleet of ships to ensure that members have the equipment needed to do their jobs and protect Canadians.
On Aug. 8, Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced that the Government of Canada is investing in the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project’s infrastructure to enhance and accelerate CSC construction, ensuring timely delivery to the RCN.
Coors launches grant program to help entrepreneurs scale up their businesses
Coors Original is inviting Canadian entrepreneurs and business owners to establish a story of their own with the Coors Original Legacy Lift. Through the Legacy Lift grant, Canadians currently on their business journey will have the chance to apply for a chance to attend the Legacy Lift pitch event in Toronto on September 6, where they’ll share their best elevator pitch directly to Coors for a chance to win $40,000 in funding.
Did you know?
95% of the world’s population has never been on a commercial flight.
Focus on Climate
Ottawa reveals conditions for allowing future fossil fuel subsidies
Ottawa is restricting the conditions under which it will allow subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, but is leaving untouched _ for now – the industry’s largest source of public financing.
On Monday, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault released six rules that are to shape how Canada supports the industry and ensure all programs across government are aligned with federal climate targets.
“What we’re eliminating are federal supports that are directed to the oil and gas sector and gives the oil and gas sector an economic advantage,” Guilbeault said in Montreal.
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.
