In this edition:
- Ontario launches sixth round of Skills Development Fund
- Stiffer in-office mandates expected to bolster leasing
- HOPA traffic represents almost 1/3 of Great Lakes cargo as grain shipments soar
- Beer Store could face extinction by 2030
- Free trade carveouts key in potential deal between U.S. and Canada
- Focus on Technology
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Photo credit: sidekick / Adobe Stock
Ontario launches sixth round of Skills Development Fund
The Ontario government is launching the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream. This round will provide $260 million for innovative projects that support the hiring, training and upskilling of workers in manufacturing, health care, construction, automotive and other skilled trades.
Organizations eligible for funding can submit their proposals through Transfer Payment Ontario. Applications will close on October 1, 2025.
Photo credit: .shock / Adobe Stock
Stiffer in-office mandates expected to bolster leasing
More major banks and large companies are mandating that employees be in the office at least four days each week, with many smaller firms expected to follow suit. This is leading to increased optimism among office building owners and managers, RENX reports.
Picture credit: HOPA
HOPA traffic now represents almost 1/3 of Great Lakes cargo as grain shipments soar
Photo credit: eugen / Adobe Stock
Beer Store could face extinction by 2030
While he doesn’t expect the retailer to disappear overnight, Ryder said the number of retail stores could be halved by the end of next year.
Picture credit: Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok
Free trade carveouts key in potential deal between U.S. and Canada, say business groups
Business leaders and academics say they hope to see Canada and the U.S. maintain free trade protections for most goods once an agreement is reached, even if the negotiations can’t stave off certain sectoral tariffs.
It’s unclear if the two countries will stick to the Aug. 1 deadline for wrapping up talks. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday negotiations were in an “intense phase,” but U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters last week that Canada wasn’t a priority for his administration amid trade talks with other partners.
Focus on Technology
Can Generative AI do my marketing?
Paula Reile, Associate Director, Niagara College Business and Commercialization Innovation Centre
That question is more complex than it seems. When looking at generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) – the type of AI that creates new content by learning patterns from existing data (think ChatGPT) – it’s a powerful tool, and it can support many activities for a business, including marketing.
For fun, I asked ChatGPT “Can AI do my marketing?” The response was that it can do some things, stating its ideal use is a marketing assistant or team member. This is a valid response, and it is how marketers and small businesses should approach it.
Let’s break down what you should explore with generative AI for marketing, and what you should be cautious about.
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.
