In this edition:
- Niagara mayors react to government reform announcement
- Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs, Trump responds with new tariffs
- Federal government announces new measures to help protect Canadians and businesses against extortion
- Ontario launches Canada’s first Occupational Exposure Registry
- Retail trade drops 0.4%, with gas stations bucking trend
- Non-energy raw material prices up nearly 26% year-over-year as metal costs rise
- Ahead of PM’s visit, India’s envoy says Canada could sign trade deal ‘within a year’
- Loblaw-owned Superstore fined $10K for promoting imported food as Canadian
- Focus on Dining Trends
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Photo credit: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara mayors react to government reform announcement
Niagara Regional Chair yesterday made public his intent to reform local government in Niagara. Today, Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa responded that the Town was “strongly opposed” to any proposal that would see it absorbed through amalgamation. Zalepa also called the lack of engagement with him and his Council “unacceptable.”
Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin said that he hoped for a “Niagara solution… [not] a provincially-imposed solution.” Thorold Mayor Terry Ugulini was “extremely disappointed” in the announcement, calling out what he called a lack of timely communication and meaningful consultation.
Picture credit: luis / Adobe Stock
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s blanket tariffs, Trump responds with new tariffs
The majority decision does not appear to address the question of eligibility for tariff refunds, which is likely to lead to a complex legal or regulatory process for companies.
Trump said on Friday that he would impose a 10% global tariff for 150 days to replace some of his emergency duties that were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the decision “another important victory,” but said the fight will continue.
Ontario Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Daniel Tisch said that the decision would be “widely welcomed by Canadian businesses,” but warned that the U.S. administration could still continue its “mutually destructive trade war” through other channels.
Dennis Darby, President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, also welcomed the ruling, but said that it would be “unlikely to materially change conditions for most Canadian manufacturers.”
Picture credit: diy13 / Adobe Stock
Federal government announces new measures to help protect Canadians and businesses against extortion
The Government of Canada is prioritizing efforts, mobilizing the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) to help combat extortion and support law enforcement investigations. Among the measures announced were the launch of the Countering Extortion Partnership with financial institutions, government, and law enforcement, and the creation of a Targeted Indicator Profile or ‘TIP’, which will give practical guidance to help financial institutions recognize patterns and behaviours commonly associated with extortion.
Picture credit: littlewolf1989 / Adobe Stock
Ontario launches Canada’s first Occupational Exposure Registry
As part of its plan to protect Ontario workers and their long-term health, the Ontario government is launching Canada’s first Occupational Exposure Registry (OER). This new secure digital portal includes an easy-to-use self-tracker that allows workers to record and track exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.
Photo credit: Kate / Adobe Stock
Retail trade drops 0.4%, with gas stations bucking trend
Retail sales decreased 0.4% to $70.0 billion in December. Sales were down in three of nine subsectors, led by decreases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
The largest increase in retail sales in December came from gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+2.8%), which were up for a second consecutive month. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rose 4.5% in December.
Photo credit: romaset / Adobe Stock
Non-energy raw material prices up nearly 26% year-over-year as metal costs rise
The Raw Materials Price Index (RMPI) increased 7.7% month over month in January, mainly driven by higher prices for metal ores, concentrates and scrap (+15.6%), as well as crude energy products (+4.6%). Excluding crude energy products, the RMPI increased 9.0%.
The RMPI rose 8.0% on a yearly basis in January. Excluding crude energy products, the RMPI was up 25.7% year over year in January.
Picture credit: Aleks Taurus / Adobe Stock
Ahead of PM’s visit, India’s envoy says Canada could sign trade deal ‘within a year’
India’s envoy to Ottawa says Canada could sign a comprehensive trade deal with New Delhi within a year — despite the fact that trade talks between the two nations have stalled multiple times since they started in 2010.
Picture credit: amazing studio / Adobe Stock
Loblaw-owned Superstore fined $10K for promoting imported food as Canadian
Canada’s food regulator has hit a Loblaw-owned store with a $10,000 fine for promoting imported food as a “Product of Canada.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) told CBC News that a Toronto Superstore incorrectly used “maple leaf advertising decals” as part of an in-store display to promote a foreign product.
Focus on Dining Trends
The Newest ‘Third Spaces’? Restaurants and Bars That Feel Like a Living Room
Francky Knapp, Eater.com
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.
