In this edition:
- Dr. Hirji takes new role as Medical Officer of Health and CEO of Public Health Sudbury
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Council appoints Interim CAO
- Niagara Region council approves reduced transit budget, cancels 25-cent local fare hike
- Lococo questions costs of Niagara’s transit system; Siscoe fires back
- Federal Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure announces call for proposals
- Focus on Human Resources
Dr. Hirji takes new role as Medical Officer of Health and CEO of Public Health Sudbury
Niagara Region today announced that Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara’s former Acting Medical Officer of Health, will take up a new post as the Medical Officer of Health and CEO of Public Health Sudbury & Districts on March 18, 2024.
“Dr. Hirji has been an invaluable asset to our community, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley in a statement. “His unwavering dedication, exemplary leadership, and selfless sacrifice have played a crucial role in safeguarding the health and well-being of our residents.”
Dr. Hirji was a regular guest on the GNCC’s Espresso Live webinar during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering monthly updates on the pandemic for businesses and answering live questions from business leaders.
Click here to listen to Dr. Hirji discuss his new position and time in Niagara on The Drive.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Council appoints Interim CAO
At the December 15, 2023, Special Council Meeting, Town Council passed a motion to appoint Bruce Zvaniga as Interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) effective January 1, 2024.
“I am optimistic about the recruitment process for Chief Administrative Officer and finding a suitable candidate that serves the Niagara-on-the-Lake community,” stated Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa. “Until this candidate is hired, Bruce’s significant abilities and experience make him more than well-equipped to handle the responsibilities of the Interim CAO.”
Niagara Region council approves reduced transit budget, cancels 25-cent local fare hike
Niagara Region councillors asked the Niagara Transit Commission to reduce its 2024 budget − and ended up receiving more than they bargained for.
Councillors passed nearly all of the commission’s 2024 budget Thursday that reduced a hike of 7.8 per cent to 5.57 per cent − but cancelled the controversial 25-cent jump in local fares the transit commission added at its special meeting Tuesday.
Lococo questions costs of Niagara’s transit system; Siscoe fires back
Frustrated with a double-digit budget increase for 2023 and another proposed hike from Niagara’s year-old transit commission for 2024, Niagara Falls city Coun. Lori Lococo says it’s time for the city to start asking questions.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, she gave notice she will introduce a motion at the next regular session directing staff to report back on whether transit amalgamation has “met the goals that were outlined to this council.”
In an interview, Niagara Transit Commission chair and St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe said the zero per cent that Lococo referred to “wasn’t the strategy that she and Niagara Falls council voted for during the amalgamation process.”
Federal Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure announces call for proposals
Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities announced an open and competitive call for proposals under the Research and Knowledge Initiative. Through the initiative, the federal government is providing funding to eligible applicants for research projects that tackle housing and infrastructure challenges in our communities.
More information about the Research Knowledge Initiative, details on eligibility, and how to apply can be found on Infrastructure Canada’s website. Applications are due February 9, 2024.
Did you know?
Amazon will pay unmotivated warehouse employees up to $5,000 to resign.
Focus on Human Resources
The best way to handle accommodation requests
“If you get an accommodation request, the expectation is that you’re going to take it seriously and you’re going to sit down, look at your enterprise, look at the employee and all work together to come up with something that works for everybody.”
So says Jay Lannon, labour, employment and human rights lawyer at Forte Workplace Law in Vancouver.
“As case law develops, it’s clear that it is a significant duty on employers, and that human rights decision makers, they want to see employers take this accommodation seriously and really put their mind to what can be done to allow this employee to continue to work in a way that’s meaningful to them and meaningful to the business — without causing undue hardship to the business.”
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.
