In this edition:
- Canadian economy returns to growth, but at slowest non-pandemic-year rate since 2016
- Workers needed: Niagara employers worried about international student cap
- Foreign-trained health-care workers aided by Niagara pilot project in resuming careers
- eCampusOntario launches AI-powered portal to help learners address skills gaps
- Competition Bureau expands investigation into Google’s advertising practices
- Toronto Tank Lines expands with brand-new rail transload yard at Pier 25 in Hamilton
- Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Canadian economy returns to growth, but at slowest non-pandemic-year rate since 2016
Real gross domestic product (GDP) edged up 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023, Statistics Canada reports, following a 0.1% decline in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, higher exports and reduced imports fuelled GDP growth, but this was moderated by a decline in business investment.
On an annual basis, real GDP and final domestic demand rose for the third consecutive year since the COVID-19 pandemic-induced contraction in 2020. However, outside of 2020, real GDP in 2023 rose at its slowest pace since 2016.
Workers needed: Niagara employers worried about international student cap
The federal government’s decision to place a cap on international students is expected to have a significant impact on the post-secondary sector.
But in Niagara, the effect is likely to extend beyond just Niagara College and Brock University, with concerns rising as to what it could mean for the employment industry.
While it remains unclear the impact and fallout of the federal cap, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce policy and government relations director Hugo Chesshire said “it’s going to be serious for a lot of employers and industries.”
Foreign-trained health-care workers aided by Niagara pilot project in resuming careers
It won’t take long before a new pilot project to help foreign-trained medical professionals resume their careers in Niagara begins to have an impact, says Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre executive director Janet Madume.
After receiving $562,675 in federal government funding at the start of February to launch the Internationally Educated Health Professionals Hub to help medical professionals from other countries — such as physicians, nurses and therapists — resume their professions in health care in Canada, Madume said the Welland Heritage centre is now putting together a team to run the program and facilitate training workshops for both newcomers and prospective employers.
“I think right after we start the workshops we’ll see the impact, for sure,” she said.
Canada will now require Mexicans to apply for travel visas
As of February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time, Mexican citizens who do not hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years and are travelling by air on a Mexican passport will need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa. With the high number of Mexican citizens currently holding US visas, the majority will continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Canada.
The Government of Canada stated that the move was a response to an increase in asylum claims made by Mexican citizens that are refused, withdrawn or abandoned.
The application process for Mexican citizens seeking a work or study permit will not change.
eCampusOntario launches AI-powered micro-credential portal to help learners address skills gaps
At the 2024 Micro-Credential Forum, eCampusOntario launched the proof of principle for a new AI-enabled tool designed to help learners address skills gaps with personalized educational pathway recommendations. SkillsFinder.ai uses a custom GPT powered by OpenAI to help learners to better understand their skills gaps and find a micro-credential to fill these gaps.
Launched in 2021 and supported by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the Ontario Micro-credential Portal is the platform of record for learners across Ontario to find short courses to learn the in-demand skills employers need.
Competition Bureau expands investigation into Google’s advertising practices
The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to gather information and advance an ongoing investigation into Google’s online advertising practices in Canada.
The Bureau is investigating whether Google has engaged in certain practices that harm competition in the online display advertising industry in Canada. This industry is made up of various technology products that are used to display advertisements to users when they visit websites or use apps.
The Bureau is looking to determine if Google’s practices raise concerns under the restrictive trade practices provisions of the Competition Act, including the abuse of dominance provision.
Toronto Tank Lines (TTL) expands operations with brand-new rail transload yard at Pier 25 in Hamilton
Toronto Tank Lines (TTL), a TFI International Company has reached another milestone with the opening of their newest rail transload yard located at Pier 25 in Hamilton.
TTL specializes in transporting and storing a wide array of food-grade products, including dry bulk sugar, processed grains, liquid sweeteners, flour, and edible oils.
Spanning over a sprawling 7-acre site, the rail transload yard offers ample space to accommodate up to 70 railcar spots with most being 100% truck accessible.
Did you know?
Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
‘Benevolent sexism’ in startups widens the gender gap by advantaging men over women
Women continue to face barriers in entrepreneurship, with only 17 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses being owned by women in Canada.
To address this issue, the Canadian government has introduced the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. This strategy seeks to address the gender gap and biases in the Canadian venture capital system.
However, our understanding of the challenges women face in the startup ecosystem is limited. Past research has focused on overt negative sexist attitudes that question women’s competence and suitability for entrepreneurship.
This view overlooks the existence of more subtle, yet pervasive and socially acceptable, sexist attitudes that often go unnoticed. Given the sheer number of people interested or working in startups today, from investors to suppliers to job applicants, the effects of these subtle forms of sexism can accumulate across a large and diverse group of decision-makers.
For initiatives tackling gender inequality in entrepreneurship to be effective, we must gain a deeper understanding of the effects of these subtle biases faced by women entrepreneurs.
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.
