In this edition:
- Ottawa invests $11.3 million in 13 Niagara businesses
- LeBlanc heads to Washington as Aug. 19 tariff deadline approaches
- Niagara targets agri-tech, talent and infrastructure to grow farm economy
- Business confidence remains weak as tariff uncertainty delays investment
- Shaw Festival secures $750,000 and takes two shows to Toronto
- Back-to-school shopping becomes a $4.5-billion Canadian retail market
- Independent retailers outperform online-only stores, Faire report finds
- GM reports 33.4% growth in Canadian EV sales
- NPCA adds nearly 100 hectares to Canada’s protected lands
- West Lincoln offers naming rights for community centre gym
- Focus on Canada-U.S. Business
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Featured content by Tourism Partnership Niagara
Tourism Partnership Niagara (Visit Niagara Canada) is recruiting for its Marketing & Partnership Committee. Members help guide regional tourism marketing and review partnership applications. Tourism and marketing experience is preferred. The committee meets 5–6 times annually. Apply with a cover letter and CV by August 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle, GNCC File Photo | Picture credit: Anne Kalagian / Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Ottawa invests $11.3 million in 13 Niagara businesses
Thirteen Niagara businesses will receive more than $11.3 million from FedDev Ontario to modernize operations, adopt advanced technology and pursue new markets amid tariff-related disruptions. The recipients include manufacturers in St. Catharines, Fort Erie, Stevensville, Thorold, Welland and Grimsby, along with a Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyard-equipment company and a Wainfleet greenhouse operator. Contributions range from about $262,000 to $3.5 million. Projects include bringing outsourced precision manufacturing back to Ontario, expanding domestic production, entering nuclear and defence markets, and improving the efficiency and environmental performance of local operations.
Photo credit: The Government of New Brunswick / Public Domain
LeBlanc heads to Washington as Aug. 19 tariff deadline approaches
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and chief negotiator Janice Charette are heading back to Washington as Ottawa tries to avert sweeping 50% U.S. tariffs scheduled for Aug. 19. The threatened duties would apply broadly without the previous exemption for CUSMA-compliant goods, putting particular pressure on Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada is seeking a comprehensive agreement covering threatened and existing tariffs on products including autos, steel and aluminum. Ottawa has not ruled out retaliation, while provincial leaders remain divided over how Canada should use measures such as restrictions on U.S. alcohol and energy leverage.
Picture credit: Regional Municipality of Niagara
Niagara targets agri-tech, talent and infrastructure to grow farm economy
Niagara Region is implementing a five-year agricultural action plan intended to strengthen one of the region’s core economic sectors. Niagara has more than 1,600 farms, over 84,000 hectares under cultivation and more than 24,000 agriculture-related jobs. Current work includes an agricultural education program expected to introduce 1,500 to 2,000 students to modern careers, an agri-tech forum with the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub, promotion of the Niagara Irrigation Initiative and advocacy for better rural broadband. The plan also emphasizes reducing red tape, attracting talent, encouraging high-value agriculture, adapting to climate change and protecting the farmland that supports the regional economy.
Picture credit: Jadon B/peopleimages.com / Adobe Stock
Business confidence remains weak as tariff uncertainty delays investment
Canada’s economy remains resilient, but subdued demand and persistent uncertainty are holding back private investment, according to the Business Data Lab’s latest quarterly report. Business expectations have remained below neutral for eight consecutive quarters, while Canada has recorded seven straight quarters of net business losses. The report finds firms are prioritizing replacement spending, training, customer development and technology rather than major capacity expansion. Tariff uncertainty is producing delay rather than widespread relocation: 10% of manufacturers planned to postpone major investment, compared with 2% planning U.S. operations. The report cautions that weak investment per worker continues to undermine productivity and long-term competitiveness.
Picture credit: Unity Design Studio
Shaw Festival secures $750,000 and takes two shows to Toronto
The Shaw Festival has secured a $750,000 RBC Foundation grant for the rebuilt Royal George Theatre while preparing to bring two Niagara-on-the-Lake productions to Toronto. Provided over three years, the funding will support a geothermal system delivering all-electric heating and cooling without on-site fossil fuels. The theatre, expected to open in fall 2028, is pursuing North America’s first Zero Carbon Building Design certification for a theatre. Shaw will also launch a three-year residency at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, beginning with “Sleuth” from Oct. 16 to Nov. 1 and “A Christmas Carol” from Nov. 12 to Dec. 23.
Photo credit: Nomad_Soul / Adobe Stock
Back-to-school shopping becomes a $4.5-billion Canadian retail market
Back-to-school shopping now represents a $4.5-billion Canadian retail market serving roughly six million K–12 students, according to new Retail Council of Canada and Caddle research. Average household spending ranges from $600 to $750 per child when electronics are included. Physical stores remain central: 99% of parents plan to shop in person, although 83% also expect to purchase something online. Price is the leading factor in retailer choice, with 85% actively seeking deals. Only 19% expect to finish in one trip, giving retailers repeated opportunities to compete through inventory availability, targeted promotions, private-label options and accurate online product information.
Picture credit: Monkey Business / Adobe Stock
Independent retailers outperform online-only stores, Faire report finds
Independent physical retailers are growing faster than online-only businesses, with smaller cities and regional centres outperforming major metropolitan markets, according to Faire’s inaugural Independent Retail Report. The wholesale marketplace based its findings on a global retailer panel and activity on its platform. Faire said the pattern also appeared in Canada, offering an encouraging signal for independent stores outside the largest urban markets. Tariffs have changed sourcing decisions: Canadian retailers sharply reduced purchases from U.S. brands in 2025, although the U.S. share of same-store spending rose 1.7 percentage points in 2026. The report also portrays independents as early identifiers of emerging consumer trends.
Chevrolet’s 2024 Blazer EV. | Picture credit: GM Canada
GM reports 33.4% growth in Canadian EV sales
General Motors says it remained Canada’s leading electric-vehicle seller through the first half of 2026, with its EV registrations rising 33.4% from a year earlier. More than one in five EVs registered nationally was a GM vehicle, according to figures cited by the company. Chevrolet’s Equinox EV and Bolt and Cadillac’s OPTIQ ranked among Canada’s 10 bestselling EVs. Cadillac captured 52.6% of the luxury EV segment, while its EV sales increased 63.9%. GM also highlighted a network of about 450 Canadian dealerships, access to more than 25,000 public charging ports and federal incentives for eligible models priced at $50,000 or less.
Picture credit: Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
NPCA adds nearly 100 hectares to Canada’s protected lands
An additional 97.46 hectares of Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority land has been recognized as protected under Canada’s 30×30 initiative, bringing the NPCA’s contribution to approximately 2,000 hectares. The four properties were acquired in 2025 using $1.55 million from the federal Priority Places fund. Three sit beside the Ruigrok Conservation Area in Haldimand County, protecting wetland and interior forest habitat. A fourth, donated by the Kala family in West Lincoln, lies within the St. Anns Slough Forest wetland complex. Ontario Nature assessed the properties for ecological significance, wildlife value and long-term protection before their formal recognition.
Photo credit: Township of West Lincoln
West Lincoln offers naming rights for community centre gym
The Township of West Lincoln is seeking a naming-rights partner for the gymnasium at the West Lincoln Community Centre. The municipality describes the arrangement as a high-profile sponsorship opportunity offering long-term visibility in a busy community facility while demonstrating support for recreation, health and wellness. Businesses, organizations and individuals are eligible to explore the opportunity. The announcement does not specify a sponsorship price, application deadline or proposed term, so interested parties will need to contact the township directly for those details. Enquiries can be made through the recreation department by phone at 905-957-3346, extension 4688, or by email.
Focus on Canada-U.S. Business
Tariffs didn’t bring manufacturing jobs back to the US
Nilay Patel/Evan SMith, The Verge
A wide-ranging interview with supply-chain intelligence executive Evan Smith about what tariffs are actually doing to global commerce. He argues that businesses have frequently rerouted Chinese inputs through countries such as Canada, Mexico and Vietnam rather than rebuilding production in the United States. The discussion also covers CUSMA, product traceability, customs technology, automation and the vulnerabilities created by global chokepoints.
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.
