In this edition:
- Brock ranked among Canada’s Best Employers for Company Culture by Forbes
- Meridian Credit Union launches Secondary Suite Financing Program
- NPCA receives funding for restoration projects in 12 Mile Creek
- Almost 500 rental units planned on vacant Ontario Street hospital site
- Canada Post workers face crucial vote on ‘final offers’ starting July 21
- Grimsby Community Grants open for application
- Welland launches 40 km/h neighbourhood limit
- Focus on Canada-U.S. Business
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Picture credit: Brock University / supplied
Brock ranked among Canada’s Best Employers for Company Culture by Forbes
Forbes has named Brock one of Canada’s Best Employers for Company Culture, ranking the University seventh of 200 organizations highlighted for their commitment to workplace excellence. The inaugural list, compiled by the global media company in partnership with research firm Statista, honours organizations across all sectors.
Picture credit: samiam2007 / Adobe Stock
Meridian Credit Union launches Secondary Suite Financing Program
Meridian Credit Union has launched its new Secondary Suite Financing Program, with applications now open. This innovative offering is designed to support members in building or upgrading secondary suites —such as basement flats, laneway homes, or garden suites—within existing residential properties.
Picture credit: Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
NPCA receives funding for restoration projects in 12 Mile Creek
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is thrilled to announce the receipt of approximately $79,000 in funding from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund (GLLAF). This funding will support two vital creek habitat restoration projects in 12 Mile Creek, an important waterway in the Niagara Peninsula watershed.
Picture credit: ACK Architects
Almost 500 rental units planned on vacant Ontario Street hospital site in St. Catharines
A vacant slice of land where the former Hotel Dieu Hospital stood on Ontario Street in St. Catharines is slated for 492 rental apartments after council approved official plan and zoning changes.
Developer Drew Toth of Elevate Living Niagara said the apartment complex at 159 Ontario St. is designed to meet a need in the community for rental units — 10 per cent of which will be priced as affordable housing units.
Photo credit: GDMatthews / Adobe Stock
Canada Post workers face crucial vote on ‘final offers’ starting July 21
Canada Post’s 53,000 unionized postal workers will have an opportunity to vote on the Crown corporation’s “final offers” beginning Monday, July 21.
The confidential vote, directed by federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, will be led by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, an independent tribunal.
Picture credit: Pituk / Adobe Stock
Grimsby Community Grants open for application
The Town of Grimsby is currently taking applications for two programs: the Grimsby Community Development Grant Program (GCDG) and the Community Project Grant Program (CPGP).
These grant programs are designed to help facilitate any project that individuals, groups, and non-profit organizations create to enhance the quality of life in Grimsby. All information regarding application forms, eligibility, available expenditures, and the grant process, can be found below.
Picture credit: bilanol / Adobe Stock
Welland launches 40 km/h neighbourhood limit
The City of Welland is taking a major step to improve safety on residential streets by launching the installation of new 40 km/h speed limit signs across the city.
The new signage, which begins installation next week, will introduce a default 40 km/h speed limit on all local and minor collector roads.
Focus on Canada-U.S. Business
Why CUSMA’s e-commerce provisions should be included in any new trade deal
Devin Partida, ReHack Magazine
With negotiations into a new trade deal ongoing, Canadian manufacturers should prepare for potential changes, particularly in digital trade and taxation.
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is currently providing reliable market access, and the agreement’s modernized provisions are designed to support e-commerce and cross-border trade among the three participating countries, facilitating manufacturing companies as they try and stay competitive.
E-commerce has boomed into a 2.3 billion industry, and various disruptions have since impacted it. CUSMA replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020 and introduced comprehensive changes that have influenced how Canadian makers sell online to the U.S. and Mexico.
With 85% of Canadian exporters already doing business in the U.S., CUSMA has made it even more accessible for midsized producers to grow and compete in those markets. They no longer need a local office, and the higher duty-free limits result in less paperwork and lower fees. Small online orders can be delivered quickly and at reduced costs.
However, as American goods become cheaper to import, buyers expect more for less. It also pressures local factories to compete harder on price, fast shipping and overall customer experience.
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.
