In this edition:
- August deadline could force Canada to sign a deal before courts rule on legality of Trump’s fentanyl tariffs
- Niagara-on-the-Lake releases first draft of updated official plan for public review
- Ontario announces new $7M intake for Critical Minerals Innovation Fund
- Colliers rebrands investment management arm to Harrison Street
- Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project officially underway
- Niagara Falls Review calls for Readers Choice Awards nominations
- U.S. visits to Canada drop 5.6% while Canadian trips to U.S. plummet by almost one-third
- Men almost three times more likely than women to be employed in industries dependent on US demand for Canadian exports
- Niagara new home prices hold steady while national averages decline
- Focus on Retail
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Picture credit: freshidea / Adobe Stock
August deadline could force Canada to sign a deal before courts rule on legality of Trump’s fentanyl tariffs
With the clock ticking down to an Aug. 1 deadline for a potential Canada-United States trade agreement, there’s a chance a deal could come ahead of a U.S. judicial ruling on the legality of the Trump administration’s emergency tariffs—a ruling some observers say could give Canada some negotiating leverage.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and the country’s premiers downplayed the importance of a looming Aug. 1 deadline in trade talks with the U.S. on Tuesday, saying the objective is to get the best possible deal for Canadians.
Meanwhile, President Trump announced more trade deals this week as the deadline draws closer.
Picture credit: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake releases first draft of updated official plan for public review
At last night’s Council meeting, Council approved the release of the first draft of the updated Official Plan for public and agency consultation. The draft document represents a significant milestone and achievement within Council’s Strategic Plan, highlighting the Town’s ongoing efforts to manage growth responsibly, protect its unique cultural and environmental heritage, and shape a vibrant, complete community for future generations.
Picture credit: aboutmomentsimages / Adobe Stock
Ontario announces new $7M intake for Critical Minerals Innovation Fund
The Ontario government is investing more than $7 million to launch a new intake of the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF). With the new call for applications open from July 23, 2025, to October 1, 2025, the fund will accelerate the research, development and commercialization of made-in-Ontario technologies in Ontario’s mining sector by supporting projects in four priority areas:
- Innovative techniques for deep exploration and mining
- Recovery of minerals
- Battery supply chain
- Mining innovation
Picture credit: Colliers
Colliers rebrands investment management arm to Harrison Street
Toronto-based commercial real estate services firm and asset manager Colliers announced a shuffling of Harrison Street’s leadership in light of the change.
Christopher Merrill, co-founder and CEO of Harrison Street, will take the additional role of global CEO and become the largest individual shareholder of Harrison Street.
Picture credit: Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority / supplied
Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project officially underway
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), in partnership with Conservation Halton (CH), Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA), Conservation Ontario (CO), and Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative proudly hosted the successful in-person launch of the Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project.
Held on July 22, the event brought together Indigenous representatives, elected officials, municipal leaders, and conservation professionals to celebrate the start of this multi-jurisdictional initiative.
Picture credit: Niagara Falls Review
Niagara Falls Review calls for Readers Choice Awards nominations
Niagarafallsreview.ca is searching for local businesses that deserve a pat on the back. The newspaper is calling for help to showcase businesses that put the customer in customer service and stand firmly behind their products and services.
Each year, the Readers’ Choice Awards ask residents to cast their votes for their favourite local businesses and professionals in several categories.
Picture credit: Rick Beauregard / Adobe Stock
U.S. visits to Canada drop 5.6% while Canadian trips to U.S. plummet by almost one-third
In May, the number of trips to Canada by US residents decreased 5.6% year over year, while for overseas residents, the number of trips fell 6.6%.
The number of Canadian-resident return trips from the United States in May was down 31.9% from May 2024, while return trips from overseas increased 8.9%.
Picture credit: Rawf8 / Adobe Stock
Men almost three times more likely than women to be employed in industries dependent on US demand for Canadian exports
Trade tensions between Canada and the United States, which began in early 2025, have raised concerns about workers in industries who depend on US demand for Canadian exports. Using data from the Labour Force Survey, the study “Socioeconomic characteristics of workers in industries dependent on United States demand for Canadian exports” found that 13.3% of men were employed in these industries, compared to 4.9% of women in the period from 2023 to 2024. Among both men and women, older workers and lower educated workers were more likely to be employed in these industries.
Photo credit: Tinnakorn / Adobe Stock
Niagara new home prices hold steady while national averages decline
The national index declined on a month-over-month basis in June (-0.2%), down for the third consecutive month. Prices were down in 12 of the 27 census metropolitan areas (CMAs) surveyed, while prices were unchanged in 10 CMAs, including St. Catharines-Niagara, and up in the remaining 5.
Focus on Retail
Retailers increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, says cybersecurity expert
Mario Toneguzzi, Retail Insider
Cybercriminals are zeroing in on retailers with increasingly sophisticated attacks designed to cause maximum disruption—and force multimillion-dollar payouts.
“They go for places where disruption causes maximum chaos,” said Tony Anscombe, Chief Security Evangelist with global cybersecurity company ESET, who is based in the UK and works closely with North American clients.
With ransomware attacks like the recent $300-million hit on Marks & Spencer, and breaches involving major brands like Victoria’s Secret and Cartier, Anscombe warns that “a cyber attacker is looking at who’s most likely to pay.”
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.
