In this edition:
- Niagara Health raises final structural beam at new South Niagara Hospital
- Premier Ford and Mayor Grant of Wainfleet comment on Niagara governance reform
- Niagara industries navigating for slice of defence spending as shipbuilder eyes corvette contract
- Applications now open for Community Grants in West Lincoln
- Communities across Ontario receive $1 million in support through Alectra’s community investment program
- Canadian home sales begin 2026 on ice as snow buries central Canada
- Canadian corporations record 7.4% operating profit increase over Q4 2024
- Ontario economy posts 0.5% economic rebound in Q3 2025 from Q2 decline
- U.S. trade czar says Canada must accept tariffs, help reshore American jobs
- IBM report shows that AI is speeding up cyberattacks
- Amazon launches AI-powered creative agent in Canada
- Ontario Teachers’ pension shifts climate strategy from emissions to investments
- Focus on Technology
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Picture credit: peterschreiber.media / Adobe Stock
Concussion Care: From Early Injury to Persistent Symptoms
A concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is often called an “invisible injury.” Standard imaging is usually normal, yet patients may experience headaches, dizziness, brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, poor concentration, sleep disturbance, and even digestive changes. While many improve in the first few weeks, others develop persistent post-concussion symptoms (PCS) that can interfere with school, work, and daily life.
We now understand concussion affects more than the brain alone. It can temporarily disrupt several connected systems, including the cervical spine (neck), visual and balance pathways (vestibular system), and the autonomic nervous system that regulates heart rate, energy, and stress responses. These changes can also influence mood and gut function.
NEXT Niagara Health provides care for both acute injuries and prolonged cases. Early management focuses on guided return to activity and education, while persistent symptoms are addressed through structured rehabilitation including heart-rate monitored exercise, cervical spine treatment, and progressive visual and vestibular retraining.
Featured content by NEXT Niagara Health
Picture credit: Niagara Health
Niagara Health raises final structural beam at new South Niagara Hospital
The Ontario government is marking a significant milestone in the construction of Niagara Health’s new South Niagara Hospital, with the raising of the final structural beam. Once complete, this new hospital will add more beds and expanded acute care, making it easier for patients in the region to receive the care they need closer to home.
The government’s $3.2 billion investment is supporting the construction of the new 12 storey, 1.3-million-square-foot South Niagara Hospital.
Wainfleet Mayor Brian Grant, Ontario Premier Doug Ford | Picture credit: Township of Wainfleet, The Honourable Doug Ford
Premier Ford and Mayor Grant of Wainfleet comment on Niagara governance reform
The possibility of amalgamation of cities and towns in the Niagara region will be decided by local mayors, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday, though he believes something must be done to improve governance.
The Mayor of Wainfleet, Brian Grant, said that Wainfleet is “not closed to change,” but prefers to maintain its independence. The Mayor called for evidence that a change would lower the tax burden or improve service delivery, ensure that rural communities were adequately represented, and that service levels for remote areas would not be reduced.
Picture credit: Niagara Region Economic Development
Niagara industries navigating for slice of defence spending as shipbuilder eyes corvette contract
Port Weller dry docks in St. Catharines could be a beehive of activity if Ontario Shipyards secures a share of billions of dollars being invested in national defence over the next decade.
The company, formerly known as Heddle Marine, announced this week it has partnered South Korean shipbuilding giant Hanwha Ocean to build a training and recruitment vessel at its Hamilton facility.
Photo credit: Township of West Lincoln
Applications now open for Community Grants in West Lincoln
Applications are now open for the Township of West Lincoln’s annual Community Grants. Local non-profit organizations and community groups are encouraged to apply.
Learn more about Community Grants and how to apply. For more information about the Township’s criteria for grants, please review the Corporate Sponsorship Policy.
Photo credit: Alectra
Communities across Ontario receive $1 million in support through Alectra’s community investment program
Alectra Inc. released the recipients of its 2026 AlectraCARES Community Support Program, providing more than $1 million in annual funding to non-profit organizations addressing immediate needs in communities across our service territory, including food and housing security, mental health support, as well as access to health care services for individuals and families facing hardship.
Picture credit: Elena Berd / Adobe Stock
Canadian home sales begin 2026 on ice as snow buries central Canada
The number of home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems fell 5.8% on a month-over-month basis in January 2026.
“The monthly decline in national home sales was driven primarily by less activity in the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Southwestern Ontario, suggesting that the story was probably more about a historic winter storm than a downshift in demand,” said Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s Senior Economist.
Picture credit: Summit Art Creations / Adobe Stock
Canadian corporations record 7.4% operating profit increase over Q4 2024
Canadian corporations reported operating profit of $205.6 billion in the fourth quarter, up $2.0 billion (+1.0%) from the third quarter. This increase was driven by the non-financial industries and supported by the financial industries. Compared with the same quarter one year earlier, Canadian corporations’ operating profit increased by $14.1 billion (+7.4%).
Picture credit: Dilok / Adobe Stock
Ontario economy posts 0.5% economic rebound in Q3 2025 from Q2 decline
In the third quarter of 2025, Ontario’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the broadest measure of economic activity, increased by 0.5%, rebounding from a 0.7% decline in 2025 Q2 when the imposition of US tariffs began to impact Ontario’s economy. The rise in real GDP in 2025 Q3 reflected an improvement in the province’s net trade and a gain in residential investment as housing market activity increased.
Picture credit: Office of the United States Trade Representative
U.S. trade czar says Canada must accept tariffs, help reshore American jobs
U.S. President Donald Trump’s top trade czar says if Canada wants a trade deal with Washington, it will have to accept “some level of higher tariff” and help to reshore American industries.
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CBC News’ Katie Simpson on Feb. 24 that “if Canada wants to come in and participate in this type of reshoring we are trying to do, we are happy to have those discussions.”
Image credit: titima157 / Adobe Stock
IBM report shows that AI is speeding up cyberattacks
On Feb. 25, IBM released the 2026 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, showing that AI-accelerated cyberattacks are reshaping the North American threat landscape and increasing pressure on Canadian organizations. North America is now reportedly the most attacked region globally, accounting for nearly a third of all incidents X-Force responded to last year — a trend with direct implications for Canada.
Picture credit: SYEDARASHEKA / Adobe Stock
Amazon launches AI-powered creative agent in Canada
Amazon Ads has introduced a new AI-powered advertising tool for the Canadian market, marking a notable shift in how brands can develop creative campaigns. The launch of Creative Agent within Creative Studio gives advertisers access to a conversational, agentic AI partner capable of producing professional-quality ads in a matter of hours.
Picture credit: Pituk / Adobe Stock
Ontario Teachers’ pension shifts climate strategy from emissions to investments
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board says it’s moving away from an emissions intensity target for its portfolio to instead focus on climate investment goals.
In its new 2030 target, the pension board says it’s aiming to double what it calls “climate transition aligned” private investments to $70 billion.
Focus on Technology
Building your brand around what’s real – the only thing AI can’t copy
Helen Duffy, Niagara College
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.
