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Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Daily Update: December 4, 2024

In this edition:

  • Savage opens new transload facility in Thorold to enhance regional logistics
  • Report recommends eliminating 6 Welland councillor positions
  • BDC launches new program to help businesses adopt AI and increase competitiveness
  • Canadian Wine Industry Awards open for nominations
  • Tax Break for All Canadians Act moves on to Senate
  • Focus on Finance & Economy

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An aerial view of Savage Niagara Transload at Thorold Multimodal Hub. A large industrial logistics complex next to a waterway.

Picture credit: Savage

Savage opens new transload facility in Thorold to enhance regional logistics

Savage, a global provider of supply chain solutions, is opening a new transload facility in Ontario at the Thorold Multimodal Hub, a key location within the BMI Group’s Bioveld Canada operations. The facility is part of Savage’s growing network and will try to improve logistics for businesses in the Niagara region, Greater Toronto Area and parts of Western New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It will provide a link between rail, sea, and truck transportation.

Click here to read more.


Civic Square in downtown Welland

Picture credit: City of Welland

Report recommends eliminating 6 Welland councillor positions

The majority of Welland residents who responded to a recent city survey support electing fewer councillors in 2026.

City staff are recommending that change be made.

Click here to read more.


A robot types on a laptop with piles of coins stacked next to it

Picture credit: Andrey Popov / Adobe Stock

BDC launches new program to help businesses adopt AI and increase competitiveness

BDC has launched its Data to AI Program to demystify artificial intelligence (AI) for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and enhance their productivity. This initiative highlights the power of AI, the benefits of automation, and the critical importance of robust cybersecurity.

The Data to AI Program reportedly offers a structured approach, providing training and personalized advice to guide companies on their digital journey.

Click here to read more.


Bottles of wine stored in a brick cellar

Picture credit: Zedspider / Adobe Stock

Canadian Wine Industry Awards open for nominations

Do you know an award-worthy winemaker, winery lead/ professional or someone who champions the Niagara wine industry, contributing to its strength long-term? Nominate them for a Canadian Wine Industry Award!

Click here to access the nomination form.


Canadian T1 tax forms and $100 banknotes

Photo credit: mehaniq41 / Adobe Stock

Tax Break for All Canadians Act moves on to Senate

Bill C-78, the Tax Break for All Canadians Act, has been adopted by the House of Commons. The Bill is now before the Senate, and one step closer to HST/GST being exempt on essentially all food and many holiday essentials.

In the same announcement, the Government of Canada launched the new $50 million Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund. The Fund is for municipalities to increase enforcement and compliance activities with their short-term rental regulations.

Click here to read more.


Did you know?


Focus on Finance & Economy

What could the Bank of Canada’s next interest rate announcement mean for mortgages and the real estate market?

All signs are pointing to another interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada on Dec. 11.

And this is good news for anyone looking to get into the housing market, said Penelope Graham, a mortgage expert with mortgage lender Ratehub.ca.

”It’s clear Canadian citizens and businesses are increasingly feeling the effects of deepening ‘me-cession’ and steep cost of living,” Graham said in a press release.

Click here to read more.


‘We’re in a recession,’ says former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz

Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says Canada is in a recession, arguing the economy’s weakness has been masked by strong population growth.

“I would say we’re in a recession, I wouldn’t even call it a technical one,” said Poloz, now special adviser to Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, during a webinar on Tuesday. “A technical one is a superficial definition that you have two quarters of negative growth in a row, and we haven’t had that, but the reason is because we’ve been swamped with new immigrants who buy the basics in life, and that boosts our consumption enough.”Click here to read more.


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.


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