In this edition:
- Mid-sized regions poised to drive Ontario’s economic development
- Canadian business closures already reported in US-dependent sectors
- Renewed Brock, Bridges Niagara partnership supports local newcomers
- Ford government reverses plan to give asylum seekers work permits
- GM #1 in Canadian EV sales through first half of 2025
- Poll suggests more than half of Canadians want to stay working from home
- Air Canada flight attendants start voting on strike mandate
- Bank of Canada widely expected to hold key rate steady amid trade uncertainty
- Focus on International Trade
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Picture credit: Wilding / Adobe Stock
Mid-sized regions poised to drive Ontario’s economic development, says Brock researcher
At first glance, large regions like York, Peel and the City of Toronto may appear to be where Ontario’s innovation powerhouses are located.
But it’s the province’s mid-sized regions that are the “frontlines” of technological and socio-economic change, says Professor of Political Science Charles Conteh.
Picture credit: freshidea / Adobe Stock
Canadian business closures already reported in US-dependent sectors
While overall business activity in less trade-exposed sectors remained relatively stable from January 2024 to April 2025, sectors dependent on US demand such as mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, and manufacturing experienced a sharper decline, Statistics Canada data shows.
From January 2024 to April 2025, the number of active businesses declined by 1.9% in sectors dependent on US demand, compared with a decline of 0.7% in other sectors.
Picture credit: Brock University / supplied
Renewed Brock, Bridges Niagara partnership supports local newcomers
For many newcomers, arriving in Niagara marks the start of a new chapter filled with hope but also hurdles that come with beginning life in a new country.
To help ease this transition, Brock University and Bridges Niagara have reaffirmed their shared commitment to supporting newcomers and promoting equity and inclusion in the region. The organizations came together Friday, July 25 to renew their long-standing partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Robertson Hall in downtown St. Catharines.
Picture credit: Office of the Premier of Ontario
Ford government reverses plan to give asylum seekers work permits
Picture credit: General Motors Canada
GM #1 in Canadian EV sales through first half of 2025
Backed by a broad and growing portfolio of electric vehicles from Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC, General Motors was the top-selling EV automaker in Canada year to date through June.
GM has led the Canadian EV segment for three consecutive quarters. In the second quarter, the company’s EV market share tripled, rising to 23.2 per cent from 8.1 per cent a year earlier.
Photo credit: tirachard / Adobe Stock
Recent poll suggests more than half of Canadians want to stay working from home amid push for return to office
A new survey reports that more than half of Canadians would prefer to keep working from home.
According to the Angus Reid Institute, 59 per cent of surveyed Canadians said they would prefer to spend the majority of their working time at home if it were possible.
Photo credit: SockaGPhoto / Adobe Stock
Air Canada flight attendants start voting on strike mandate
Air Canada flight attendants start voting today on whether to give a strike mandate to their union.
The vote, running through to Aug. 5, comes after the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees concluded the conciliation process with no deal reached.
Picture credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock
Bank of Canada widely expected to hold key rate steady amid trade uncertainty
Most economists are also expecting the Bank of Canada will hold its policy rate steady at 2.75 per cent for a third consecutive decision later this week.
As of Friday afternoon, financial markets were placing odds of a quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday at just seven per cent, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
Focus on International Trade
Reaction to the European Union’s trade agreement with the Trump administration
The Canadian Press
The European Union’s trade agreement with the Trump administration is getting mixed reviews. EU officials say they warded off a total economic disaster. But French officials in particular say the EU punched below its weight while economists say the deal is dangerously vague.
The deal leaves Europe with a 15% tariff on most goods imported into the U.S., with some goods categories tariff-free, but no agreement on rates for key areas such as pharmaceuticals and steel.
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.
