Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses

Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.

Jobs and Growth Fund applications now open

Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced that businesses and organizations across Canada can now submit applications through the new Jobs and Growth Fund.

Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs), the new fund provides $700 million to support a regional response and stimulate economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis by investing in projects that will help to create jobs over the next three years and beyond. This includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet eligibility criteria.

Businesses and the organizations that support them can now apply. Applications are being accepted on a continuous intake basis until March 31, 2024, or until funding is fully committed. For more information on eligibility criteria and eligible expenses, or to apply to the Jobs and Growth Fund, reach out to your local RDA.

Second intake of Green Infrastructure stream now open

Starting today, Tuesday, July 13, eligible municipalities, First Nation communities and Local Services Boards can begin applying for funding through the second intake of the Green Infrastructure stream.

The Green Stream is part of the joint federal and provincial Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). Up to $240 million in joint federal and provincial funding is available for this intake, including $110 million from the Ontario government.

Eligible applicants will have up to 8 weeks with a deadline of September 9, 2021 to submit applications for provincial review and nomination to the federal government through the Transfer Payment Ontario website.

Agricultural and horticultural societies to receive new provincial grants

The Ontario government is providing $1.1 million in additional funding to offer continued support for the province’s agricultural and horticultural societies impacted by COVID-19. This latest funding follows the January 2021 investment of $5 million to help support agricultural and horticultural societies impacted by cancelled events in 2020.

The government will provide up to $5,000 for each eligible agricultural society and up to $1,500 for each eligible horticultural society, equal to their 2019 grants.

Ontario increases funding, streamlines application process for Second Career

As of today, laid-off and unemployed workers will experience a faster Second Career application process. The program is increasing weekly basic living supports for rent, mortgage and other expenses up to $500 a week, and transportation and child care supports are being enhanced.

Second Career funding helps laid-off, unemployed workers pay for the tuition of training programs of 52 weeks duration or less, including eligible university and college courses, micro-credential programs and other vocational training programs.

Interested parties can contact an Employment Ontario service provider here.

Nova Scotia becomes second province to announce early learning and child care agreement

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Nova Scotia, Iain Rankin, today announced an agreement that will significantly improve early learning and child care for children in the province. As part of the agreement, the Government of Canada will invest $605 million over the next five years to help improve regulated early learning and child care for children under six years of age in Nova Scotia.

With the federal funding provided through the agreement, Nova Scotia will achieve an average parent fee of $10 per day for all regulated child care spaces for children under six by the end of fiscal year 2025-26. By the end of 2022, Nova Scotians will see a 50 per cent reduction in average parent fees for children under the age of six in regulated child care.

This announcement follows another from British Columbia on July 8th.

Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for Niagara region

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms this afternoon into this evening. These thunderstorms will be capable of producing strong wind gusts up to 100 km/h, large hail up to 2 cm in diameter and heavy rainfall of 50 mm within an hour.

Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year.

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

Reading Recommendations

After COVID revenue collapse, Canadian municipalities face insurance premium spike

Reuters

Canadian municipalities reeling from a pandemic-driven hit to revenues are facing an added blow from surging liability insurance costs, forcing them to raise property taxes or even cut services for residents.

The increase in premiums, about 20% to 30% in many cases, has been driven by a shrinking pool of insurers, more claims in an increasingly litigious climate and uncertainty around payout amounts.

Cities need insurance to protect against claims in the event of accidents on municipal properties or roads, and to deal with risks including cyber attacks and natural disasters – so forgoing coverage is not an option.

The 444 municipalities in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, would face a combined revenue shortfall of about C$2.4 billion ($1.9 billion) due to the pandemic, Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) said in December.

Trudeau says he’ll leave domestic vaccine passports up to the provinces

CBC News

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will work with provinces to ensure there is an “internationally accepted proof of vaccination” for international travel, but will leave domestic options up to the provincial governments.

Trudeau’s comments come after some provinces, like Quebec and Manitoba, have announced plans for an internal vaccine passport. Other provinces, like Alberta and Saskatchewan, have said they won’t have such requirements.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Trudeau was asked if the federal government should play a role to help standardize provincial programs, but he said his government is focused on an international vaccine passport.