In this edition:
- Niagara-based organizations combating gender-based violence among major federal grant winners
- Amalgamation ‘not a silver bullet’ for Niagara, provincial committee hears
- Shelley Spence takes office as Ontario’s new Auditor General
- Economists see ‘turning point’ in housing market this year as interest rate cuts loom
- Focus on Climate
Niagara-based organizations combating gender-based violence among major federal grant winners
Today, Lisa Hepfner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, alongside Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, announced up to $19 million for 34 organizations to prevent and address gender-based violence in Ontario and across the country.
Among the organizations were St. Catharines-based non-profit Future Black Female, which was awarded $500,000 for their Black Youth United Against GBV IPV project, and Welland non-profit TOES Niagara, which was granted $585,650 in support of its “CODE- A” promising practice tool for human trafficking prevention.
Amalgamation ‘not a silver bullet’ for Niagara, provincial committee hears
There might be room for improvement in the way Niagara is governed, but it shouldn’t require amalgamating the 12 local municipalities or dissolving regional government, say several local political leaders who addressed a provincial committee considering the future governance of the region.
GNCC CEO Mishka Balsom presented on behalf of the business community, reiterating the GNCC’s advocacy for an evidence-based and data-driven approach to reform that retains a strict focus on service delivery and tax reduction. The GNCC had also previously delegated on the subject for the Fenn-Seiling report, which the GNCC is calling to be made publicly accessible.
Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley and Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele have also released the transcripts of their presentations.
Shelley Spence takes office as Ontario’s new Auditor General
On January 8, Shelley Spence took office as the 14th Auditor General of Ontario. She is appointed for a 10-year term by Order of the Legislative Assembly, after being unanimously recommended by a bi- partisan panel of MPPs announced in December 2023.
She brings to the role more than 30 years of professional experience in audit, oversight and governance as a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and Licensed Public Accountant in the public sector, and as a successful entrepreneur for 20 years. Most recently, Ms. Spence was Partner with Deloitte LLP, where she helped to oversee the Government and Public Service Assurance practice.
Economists see ‘turning point’ in housing market this year as interest rate cuts loom
After a year marked by caution and shifting expectations spurred by rising borrowing costs, economists believe the Canadian housing market could be in for a rebound in 2024.
That’s largely dependent on forecasts that the Bank of Canada could begin cutting its key interest rate from the current level of five per cent as early as the second quarter of this year.
“We’re obviously watching for a turning point in the market,” said TD Bank economist Rishi Sondhi.
Did you know?
Niagara Region treats more than 6 million litres of drinking water per hour.
Focus on Climate
World’s renewable energy capacity grew at record pace in 2023
Global renewable energy capacity grew by the fastest pace recorded in the last 20 years in 2023, which could put the world within reach of meeting a key climate target by the end of the decade, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The world’s renewable energy grew by 50% last year to 510 gigawatts (GW) in 2023, the 22nd year in a row that renewable capacity additions set a new record, according to figures from the IEA.
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.
