In this edition:
- Safari Niagara gives back to the community
- Lord Mayor Zelepa to host community visits in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Regional report finds chronic homelessness rising in Niagara
- Walmart piloting body cams for store staff
- Mortgage gap widens between what Canadians can afford and what they pay
- CBSA announces first Canadian land preclearance operation in the U.S.
- Focus on Finance & Economy
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Picture credit: Safari Niagara
Safari Niagara gives back to the community
The initiative was met with strong community support, resulting in a significant impact. Niagara Health Foundation, Niagara Children’s Centre and McMaster Children’s Hospital each received a $10,000 donation from the proceeds.
Photo credit: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Lord Mayor Zelepa to host community visits in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Lord Mayor Zalepa has announced that he will host Open Houses in each of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s five villages in January and February of 2025. These visits, featuring a brief presentation from the Lord Mayor, will provide residents with an opportunity to connect with members of Council and Town Staff, ask questions, and provide feedback on local matters.
Photo credit: Jameel A/Wirestock / Adobe Stock
Regional report finds chronic homelessness rising in Niagara
While data is still being analyzed to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in Niagara, a preliminary report shows more people here are remaining homeless longer.
The report said 460 completed surveys showed 61 per cent of respondents had been homeless for at least six months.
Photo credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock
Walmart piloting body cams for store staff
Walmart has confirmed that it is pilot-testing the use of body cameras in some outlets in a bid to protect customer-facing teams from harassment.
“This is a pilot we are testing in one market,” a spokesperson said, “and we will evaluate the results before making any longer-term decisions.”
Photo credit: Tinnakorn / Adobe Stock
Mortgage gap widens between what Canadians can afford and what they have to pay
Housing affordability was a major thorn in the side of Canadians in 2024, and it promises to hurt just as much in 2025, a new survey suggests, with the gap between what people say they can comfortably pay for mortgages and rent and what they are paying hitting astronomical spreads.
Two-thirds of those surveyed by pollster Leger for mortgage comparison site EveryRate.ca said they could afford monthly housing costs of $1,749, which is almost five per cent less than the national average monthly mortgage payment of $1,829.
Picture credit: photobyphotoboy / Adobe Stock
CBSA announces first Canadian land preclearance operation in the U.S.
Today, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced its intention to launch its first preclearance operation in 2025.
The initiative will have Canadian border services officers working at a shared facility at the Cannon Corners port of entry in New York, adjacent to the Covey Hill, QC port of entry.
Did you know?
Coffee has the highest environmental footprint of any beverage – including alcohol.
Focus on Finance & Economy
Here’s what economists expect the Bank of Canada to do in 2025
Economists at Canada’s major banks don’t expect interest rates to move quite as dramatically in 2025 as they did in 2024, but they still see various sources of drama for the economy and Canadians.
With five rate cuts bringing the overnight rate down from five per cent to 3.25 per cent, 2024 was a monumental year for the Bank of Canada (BoC). The BoC’s announcement of its final cut of the year — 50 basis points on December 12 — was accompanied by language forecasting a slowdown in the pace of cuts.
Since then, new data on Canada GDP have given economists additional information to refine their forecasts and consider how BoC governor Tiff Macklem’s expectation of “a more gradual approach to monetary policy” might play out.
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.
