In this edition:
- Number of Niagara EI claimants up 6.4% year-over-year, lower than national figures
- NOTL is $13M behind on infrastructure spending, report says
- Alectra employees support United Way with $200,000 in donations
- Doug Ford calls for boycott of Chinese EVs that will enter Canada
- Niagara-on-the-Lake heritage staff offers cost-saving tips to owners of historical buildings
- NPCA achieves major milestone in Niagara River recovery
- Marineland now seeking permits to ship remaining belugas to U.S., sources say
- Competition Bureau report highlights public feedback on algorithmic pricing and competition
- Performing arts industry revenues now well above pre-COVID levels
- New global guidance issued to help protect workers from health and safety risks linked to climate change
- PwC Global CEO Survey shows Canadian CEOs more concerned about geopolitics and company viability
- Focus on Retail
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Picture credit: Khaohom Mali / Adobe Stock
Number of Niagara EI claimants up 6.4% year-over-year, lower than national figures
The number of persons claiming Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in the St. Catharines-Niagara CMA increased from 6,070 in November 2024 to 6,460 in November 2025 – an increase of 6.4%. A net increase of 200 was posted between October and November last year.
Nationally, the year-over-year increase was 16.1%, with increases across all major demographic groups. The largest percentage increases were among women aged 55 and older (+20.2%; +10,000), core-aged women (+19.4%; +23,000), and core-aged men (+14.9%; +29,000).
Picture credit: Regional Municipality of Niagara
NOTL is $13M behind on infrastructure spending, report says
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is currently not spending enough to maintain its roads, pipes and other municipal infrastructure, with a new plan identifying that the town is $13 million short on funding annually.
The draft 2024 asset management plan, presented to council at a Jan. 13 workshop, estimates the town would need to spend about $22.3 million a year to maintain infrastructure at current service levels but is currently funding about $9.2 million annually.
Photo credit: Alectra
Alectra employees support United Way with $200,o00 in donations
Alectra employees once again came together to support communities across Ontario, raising a total of $200,000 for United Way through regular payroll deductions and corporate contributions.
Funds were directed to United Way organizations across Alectra’s service territory, including Greater Toronto, Halton & Hamilton, Niagara, Guelph Wellington Dufferin, and Centraide Simcoe Muskoka.
Picture credit: Joey Coleman / CC BY 2.0
Doug Ford calls for boycott of Chinese EVs that will enter Canada
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Canadians to boycott Chinese-made electric vehicles when they are allowed back into the country under a deal recently struck by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Ford has been critical of the deal — and the fact Carney did not speak to him about it in advance — saying it will harm Ontario’s auto sector.
Niagara-on-the-Lake heritage staff offers cost-saving tips to owners of historical buildings
Niagara-on-the-Lake heritage staff are offering words of advice for owners of historical buildings who are experiencing sky-high insurance rates on their properties.
Sumra Zia, the town’s senior heritage planner, said during the Jan. 14 heritage committee meeting owners should conduct due diligence when seeking protection on their homes.
Picture credit: Zellers
Zellers sets sights on national expansion after Edmonton debut
Zellers’ return to physical retail is moving quickly from proof of concept to national ambition. Following the successful opening of its first new standalone store at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton in October 2025, the retailer has confirmed plans to expand the Zellers 3.0 concept across Canada, positioning the brand for a broad re-entry into major markets.
Photo credit: NPCA
NPCA achieves major milestone in Niagara River recovery
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), together with its partners in the Niagara River Remediation Action Plan (RAP) have announced a major environmental milestone for the Niagara River. The Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) has been officially re-designated from Impaired to Not Impaired for the Canadian side of the Niagara River Area of Concern.
Photo credit: Marineland
Marineland now seeking permits to ship remaining belugas to U.S., sources say
Marineland has presented a plan to the federal government to ship the last remaining captive whales and dolphins in Canada to several institutions in the United States, The Canadian Press has learned.
But the theme park also gave Ottawa an imminent deadline to issue export permits or it will proceed with its backup plan to kill 30 belugas and four dolphins, said several sources with Marineland who added that a euthanasia plan for the animals has been prepared.
Photo credit: Yuliia / Adobe Stock
Competition Bureau report highlights public feedback on algorithmic pricing and competition
Algorithmic pricing is on the rise worldwide. In sectors ranging from hospitality to concert tickets to ridesharing, businesses are using algorithms to guide pricing strategies for their products or services.
Today, the Competition Bureau published a What We Heard report highlighting the feedback received through its recent public consultation on algorithmic pricing and competition.
Picture credit: CasanoWa Stutio / Adobe Stock
Performing arts industry revenues now well above pre-COVID levels
The performing arts industry fully resumed operations in 2024, after years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic is no longer a defining factor to this industry, its legacy continues to shape consumer behaviour. Audiences have returned to in-person events; however, patterns of attendance and spending may reflect evolving consumer preferences.
Operating revenue for the performing arts industry reached $3.2 billion in 2024, up 17.0% from 2022, while operating expenses increased 17.4% to $2.8 billion.
Picture credit: KL 1981 / Adobe Stock
New global guidance issued to help protect workers from health and safety risks linked to climate change
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published new international guidance designed to help organizations protect workers from current and growing occupational health and safety (OHS) risks related to climate change, as challenges such as extreme heat, flooding and rising pollution affect billions of workers around the world.
Photo credit: Viacheslav Yakobchuk / Adobe Stock
PwC Global CEO Survey shows Canadian CEOs more concerned about geopolitics and company viability
PricewaterhouseCooper’s 29th annual Global CEO Survey has found that Canadian CEOs are significantly more concerned than their global peers about making sure their company remains viable. And they’re more concerned about a geopolitical event causing major disruption. But there are flickers of hope. Canadian CEOs are as confident as their global peers in their own company’s prospects. They’re starting to implement AI across the enterprise, though not to the same extent as their global counterparts. And they’re significantly more likely than their global peers to have moved into new sectors in the last five years.
Focus on Retail
Retail’s next big shift: AI-powered shopping journeys
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.
