In this edition:
- Welland Staples one of first new ServiceOntario centres
- New name proposed for West Lincoln Memorial Hospital
- Business Data Lab shines light on post-pandemic reality for small retail businesses
- Bill Fordy named new Niagara police chief
- Renovated Rodman Hall in St. Catharines up for sale
- Government of Canada announces new low-cost loans to build student housing
- Niagara College issues website development RFP
- Minister Anand announces launch of GC Digital Talent Platform
- Focus on Small Business
Welland Staples one of first new ServiceOntario centres
Today, the province officially launched the expansion of ServiceOntario in six Staples Canada stores which will open on February 1. These new centres are part of the government’s ongoing work to explore new ways to make ServiceOntario more accessible for Ontario residents.
The new Staples Canada-operated ServiceOntario centres are in the following communities:
- Oakville, 2460 Winston Churchill Boulevard
- Newmarket, 17810 Yonge Street
- Toronto (Scarborough), 1980 Eglinton Avenue, East
- Strathroy, 425 Caradoc Street, South
- Tillsonburg, Tillsonburg Town Centre, 200 Broadway Street
- Welland, Seaway Mall, 800 Niagara Street
New name proposed for West Lincoln Memorial Hospital
West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH), a Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) hospital, is being rebuilt to accommodate the growing health care needs of west Niagara’s communities. Public support of the new hospital has been overwhelmingly positive, as local residents acknowledge this important endeavour and have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the redevelopment project.
The Mayors of the Town of Grimsby, Town of Lincoln, Township of West Lincoln and the Chair of Niagara Region have submitted a request to Hamilton Health Sciences to change the name of the new hospital to West Niagara Memorial Hospital.
Business Data Lab shines light on post-pandemic reality for small retail businesses
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab (BDL) released its latest report today, highlighting the new reality for small businesses in Canada’s post-pandemic retail landscape, which has been beset by shifting consumer behaviours.
The report, entitled, A Portrait of Small Business in Canada: Adaption, Agility, All At Once, explores the integral role small businesses play in Canada’s economy and sheds light on how these businesses can thrive despite major economic forces working against them — including the rising cost of doing business, the highest borrowing costs in over two decades and increased pandemic debt loads.
Bill Fordy named new Niagara police chief
Jen Lawson, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Services Board, announced today that the Board has selected Bill Fordy as the new Chief of Police for the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS). Bill Fordy is currently the Deputy Chief of Police, Support Services, with the NRPS. He will begin his role as Chief of the NRPS effective February 1, 2024.
Renovated Rodman Hall in St. Catharines up for sale
Rodman Hall, a recently renovated historical building, is up for sale in St. Catharines, listed at $9,999,000. The property, built between 1857 and 1863, includes 2.9 hectares looking over twelve mile creek.
The listing says the site offers “13 lavish hotel rooms and a variety of exquisite event spaces including meeting rooms, a large bar area, and a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 150+ seated guests.”
Government of Canada announces new low-cost loans to build student housing
The Government of Canada today announced that they will be offering low-cost loans to build more student housing on- and off-campus. By reforming the Apartment Construction Loan Program, the Government aims to help more students find housing they can afford close to where they study, and help ensure that there are more homes available for families who live in those same communities year-round.
Niagara College issues website development RFP
Niagara College (NC) is actively accepting proposals to develop or create, update, re-design, test, and launch websites for different departments at NC.
The primary objective of this project is to significantly update, re-design, develop, and launch a comprehensive website for the Research and Innovation Department of Niagara College at the URL ncinnovation.ca. This website will serve as a dynamic, engaging, and informative platform, showcasing the department’s four (4) innovation centres, and their advanced research, projects, updates and news, employment and placement opportunities, and collaborations with industry partners.
The expected project completion date is July 31, 2024.
To review the application requirements and apply online, visit the College’s website and submit your proposal by February 8 at 3 p.m.
Minister Anand announces launch of GC Digital Talent Platform
Today, at the 2024 Digital Government Leaders Summit, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board, announced the launch of the Government of Canada (GC) Digital Talent Platform—an online recruitment site for digital and IT professionals.
The Platform simplifies the application process for individuals who specialize in digital and IT who are looking to apply for jobs within the government. As well, it will provide federal institutions with lists of pre-qualified individuals that match their digital talent needs.
Did you know?
Canada’s biggest industry is commercial banking.
Focus on Small Business
What if… Planning for the unexpected
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business recently published a report showing small business owners work an average of 59 hours a week to fill gaps due to the ongoing labour shortage. And only 6% of respondents were automating their processes to compensate for these shortfalls.
That’s a recipe for chaos, says Beverlee Rasmussen, a certified systems business coach in Langley, British Columbia and author of Small Business Big Opportunity. Rasmussen notes that while tactical business owners bail water out of a sinking boat every day in a state of panic, strategic business owners pull the boat out of the water and fix the holes. Having a systems-based mindset allows you to pull a sinking boat out of the water if you fall ill.
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.
