In this edition:
- Ontario launches Destination Niagara Strategy
- Inflationary rate holds steady at 2.2% as price rises slow
- St. Catharines to continue funding 1-day recycling pickup for downtown businesses
- Ontario proposes draft regulation for interprovincial trade
- Seaway could double traffic with federal investment, marine industry says
- Kingsway tree replanting continues with grant from Niagara Community Foundation
- Customs portal causing problems more than a year into its rollout
- Focus on Technology
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Picture credit: Hugo Chesshire / Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Ontario launches Destination Niagara Strategy
Today, the Ontario government launched its Destination Niagara Strategy, the province’s plan to position the region as a world-renowned tourism destination to support local businesses, create good-paying jobs and protect Ontario’s economy. The multibillion-dollar strategy will create new, world-class attractions, boost local arts and culture and improve the region’s transportation network, aiming to attract 25 million annual visitors and double the region’s tourism impact generating an additional $3 billion for Ontario’s GDP every year.
Photo credit: Yingyaipumi / Adobe Stock
Inflationary rate holds steady at 2.2% as price rises slow
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.2% on a year-over-year basis in November, matching the increase in October.
Year over year, prices for services rose at a slower pace in November compared with October. Lower prices for travel tours and traveller accommodation, in addition to slower growth for rent prices, put downward pressure on the all-items CPI.
Picture credit: St. Catharines downtown association
St. Catharines to continue funding 1-day recycling pickup for downtown businesses
Downtown St. Catharines businesses will still have recycling picked up once a week when Niagara Region stops collection for non-residential properties on Jan. 1.
City councillors agreed to the municipality paying between $65,262 and $107,194 annually for pickup once a week, with funds collected as part of the regional waste management levy.
The Honourable Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | Picture credit: Brad Demers / file photo, GNCC
Ontario proposes draft regulation for interprovincial trade
The Government of Ontario is taking the next steps to implement mutual recognition of goods and services from other reciprocating Canadian jurisdictions by publishing a draft regulation under the Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act, 2025 (OFTMA). Building on Ontario’s national leadership in supporting free trade and labour mobility across Canada, the mutual recognition of goods and services will play a substantial role in supporting economic integration across Canada and removing internal trade barriers that cost the economy up to $200 billion every year.
Picture credit: Alexandre / Adobe Stock
Seaway could double traffic with federal investment, marine industry says
Marine industry leaders are calling on the federal government to invest in the St. Lawrence Seaway through its $5-billion Trade Diversification Corridors Fund, arguing the waterway could double its traffic and deliver fast economic returns.
Picture credit: yotrakbutda / Adobe Stock
Kingsway tree replanting continues with grant from Niagara Community Foundation
The City of Welland has received $14,300 in grant funding from the Niagara Community Foundation to support the next phase of tree planting along the Kingsway in Dain City. The funding advances the City’s work to restore and enhance the local tree canopy following widespread loss caused by the Emerald Ash Borer infestation.
Click here to read more.
Picture credit: NVB Stocker / Adobe Stock
Customs portal causing problems more than a year into its rollout
More than a year after its rollout, an online portal for collecting taxes on goods transported into Canada continues to cause headaches for shippers — from red tape tangles to periodic outages — with potential ripple effects for consumers, all amid a costly trade war with the United States.
The federal government’s $706-million digital platform for paying duties came online in October 2024 in an effort to streamline the old, paper-based process that customs officials relied on for decades.
Focus on Human Resources
How good people justify bending the rules at work — and what leaders can do about it
Lorne Michael Hartman, The Conversation
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.
