In this edition:
- U.S. and Canada might not reach trade deal, Trump says
- Canada budget deficit over first two months of 2025/26 jumps to C$6.50 billion
- Fort Erie council defers awarding contract for $7.2M Gibson Centre expansion
- Viability of St. Catharines’ Neil Peart memorial being assessed
- Canadians may lose access to certain vehicles over tariffs
- Focus on Human Resources
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Picture credit: Molly Riley / Office of the President of the United States
U.S. and Canada might not reach trade deal, Trump says
U.S. President Donald Trump says his country may not reach a new trade deal with Canada and could simply impose more or higher tariffs on its northern neighbour — something he’s threatening to do in one week’s time.
“We haven’t really had a lot of luck with Canada,” Trump told reporters Friday outside the White House in response to a question about the state of tariff talks with U.S. trading partners.
Picture credit: Rixie / Adobe Stock
Canada budget deficit over first two months of 2025/26 jumps to C$6.50 billion
Canada recorded a sharply higher C$6.50 billion ($4.71 billion) budget deficit for the first two months of the 2025/26 fiscal year as government expenditures grew but revenues stalled, the finance ministry said on Friday.
Picture credit: Alphabet / Google Streetview screenshot
Fort Erie council defers awarding contract for $7.2M Gibson Centre expansion over cost concerns
Town councillors have pressed pause on awarding a construction tender for the Gibson Centre expansion after project costs came in significantly higher than expected.
Picture credit: City of St. Catharines
Viability of St. Catharines’ Neil Peart memorial being assessed
A memorial honouring legendary Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart at Lakeside Park has only reached a fraction of its fundraising goal, prompting Mayor Mat Siscoe to ask what’s going on.
St. Catharines Standard seeks nominations for favourite local businesses
Stcatharinesstandard.ca is searching for local businesses that deserve a pat on the back. The newspaper needs your help to showcase businesses that put the customer in customer service and stand firmly behind their products and services.
Photo credit: Kadmy / Adobe Stock
Canadians may lose access to certain vehicles over tariffs — here’s what buyers need to know
New car prices haven’t blown through the roof in Canada yet due to U.S. tariffs or Canadian counter-tariffs on vehicle imports, but they’re starting to deprive buyers of certain models.
Canadians will soon begin to feel this pinch with several automakers announcing pauses to production of vehicles being imported into Canada due to Canadian counter-tariffs on U.S.-made vehicles, as well a vehicle model not even impacted by the Canadian counter-tariffs.
Focus on Human Resources
Don’t make the ‘13 psychological health and safety factors’ mistake
Bill Howatt and Troy Winters, Occupational Health and Safety Canada
One of our biggest challenges with employers and those tasked with implementing workplace mental health programs in the growing field of psychological health and safety (PHS) is the number of organizations where senior leadership has mandated the implementation of the 13 PHS factors that were introduced in CSA Z1003 Psychological Health and Safety, commonly known as “the standard,” published in 2013. The 13 factors provided an excellent introduction to psychosocial factors that, when present, promote mental health and, when they act as drains, are considered psychosocial hazards.
One challenge we have noticed is how many organizations have conflated the 13 PHS factors with the standard. Additionally, there is a general lack of understanding about the purpose of a workplace risk assessment.
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.
