In this edition:
- High youth unemployment ‘something I’m keeping an eye out on:’ Niagara analyst
- Niagara Region receives 2024 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
- Active transportation master plan for St. Catharines makes debut
- Niagara Parks announces upcoming road closures for Civic Holiday weekend
- 30-year mortgage amortizations available for first-time homebuyers starting Aug. 1
- Green Buildings Strategy aims to transform building sector for a net-zero future
- Convenience stores quickly signing up to sell beverage alcohol in Ontario
- Focus on Human Resources
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Thalia Semplonius, Research & Project Lead, Workforce Collective / Photo credit: Workforce Collective
High youth unemployment ‘something I’m keeping an eye out on,’ says Niagara labour analyst
While Niagara’s overall employment indicators are heading in a positive direction, high youth unemployment numbers are playing a significant role in the region’s current labour market trends.
Data released by Niagara Workforce Collective showed the region saw increases in employment and participation numbers through May and June, with slight decreases in its unemployment rate.
Photo credit: Regional Municipality of Niagara
Niagara Region receives 2024 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
For the 12th consecutive year, Niagara Region has been recognized for meeting the highest principles of government budgeting by receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
A panel of independent reviewers examined the Region’s annual budget document for 2024 and have determined that Niagara Region’s Financial Management and Planning Division met the high standards set for this award.
Photo credit: torwaiphoto / Adobe Stock
Getting from A to B safely: Active transportation master plan for St. Catharines makes debut
Almost 60 per cent of people feel cycling in St. Catharines is “not very safe,” while 27 per cent say it’s “somewhat safe,” according to a survey conducted for the city’s active transportation master plan.
The survey of 175 respondents was part of online engagement used to help craft the plan, which was presented to city councillors last week.
Photo credit: Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Parks announces upcoming road closures for Civic Holiday weekend
Niagara Parks and the City of Niagara Falls will be implementing planned road closures within Queen Victoria Park on Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4, to help alleviate traffic congestion and gridlock, particularly during the fireworks at 10 p.m.
Photo credit: ArLawKa / Adobe Stock
30-year mortgage amortizations available for first-time homebuyers in Canada starting Aug. 1
The federal government is trying to make it easier for first-time homebuyers to get into the new housing market.
Starting Aug. 1, mortgage lenders will be able to offer 30-year amortizations for insured mortgages for first-time homebuyers — but it is only available for those purchasing new builds.
Photo credit: StockPhotoPro / Adobe Stock
Long-awaited Green Buildings Strategy aims to transform building sector for a net-zero future
The new Canada Green Buildings Strategy (CGBS) outlines the federal government’s next steps for improving energy efficiency in homes and buildings and industry stakeholders say it will be important for all levels of government to work collaboratively to reach strategy objectives.
The mandate to create a strategy was first announced in March 2022. It focuses on three priorities: accelerating retrofits; building green and affordable from the start; and shaping the buildings sector of the future.
Photo credit: bodnarphoto / Adobe Stock
Convenience stores quickly signing up to sell beverage alcohol in Ontario
With applications having come in by the thousands, c-stores in Ontario are far outpacing the number of grocers looking to bring alcohol into their merchandising mix.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) opened its application process on June 17, 2024, for new and existing convenience and grocery stores to apply for alcohol retail licences.
And as of July 25, the AGCO has received 3,901 applications from across the province for Convenience Store Licences. Of these, 3,500 have been approved.
Photo credit: snowing12 / Adobe Stock
More than half of Canadian companies plan to add new positions this year: survey
New research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half suggests hiring will keep pace for the remainder of the year. According to the company’s State of Canadian Hiring Survey, 52 per cent of companies report plans to add new permanent positions in the second half of the year. Another 41 per cent plan to fill vacated positions and 58 per cent said they plan to increase the number of contract and project-based professionals to close out 2024.
Did you know?
Focus on Human Resources
Cannabis legalization and positive drug tests – now what?
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.
