In this edition:
- As ‘greenhouse capital of Canada,’ Lincoln tariff team monitoring latest Trump trade tiff
- Ontario gas prices expected to spike ahead of Civic Holiday long weekend
- WestJet flight attendants’ union serves airline 72-hour strike notice
- New Niagara technology fund offers grants of up to $5,000
- Niagara business openings outpace closures in April
- Proposed tariffs stack onto the ongoing investment freeze
- Major unions want U.S. to reconsider trade regime against Canada
- Government of Canada support to help Ontario businesses strengthen trade resilience and expand into new markets
- Carney pushes back on calls to use energy as leverage in U.S. trade talks
- Bank of Canada expects economic rebound, decelerating inflation rate but risks remain
- Minister Sidhu establishes Strategic Exports Office to strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness
- Payroll employment increases by 24,100 in May as earnings rise 3.4%
- More than one-third of Canadian workers now use generative AI on the job
- St. Catharines food bank faces record demand amid ‘sustained affordability crisis’
- Discount grocery a ‘long-term shift,’ Loblaw CEO says
- CIBC announces collaboration with Taskrabbit to expand support for skilled trades
- Bell Canada rolls out AI tool flagging scam calls in real time
- Federal government invests nearly $11 million in electric vehicle infrastructure and education
- Liberals block hearings on Gordie Howe bridge deal as government MP admits confusion
- Focus on Tourism
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Featured content by Meridian Credit Union
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Picture credit: DC Studio / Adobe Stock
As ‘greenhouse capital of Canada,’ Lincoln tariff team monitoring latest Trump trade tiff
Lincoln’s greenhouse sector is assessing its exposure to threatened 50% U.S. tariffs that could take effect August 19 and apply to cut flowers, plants and seeds. Niagara exported approximately $395 million in greenhouse flowers last year, while the regional industry employs 11,678 people, including 5,290 in Lincoln. Some local greenhouses ship between 50% and 90% of their flowers to the United States. Lincoln’s Tariff Response Team is speaking with growers, advocating for federal and provincial assistance and considering stronger shop-local and tourism campaigns. The effects could also spread to manufacturers supplying greenhouse construction, irrigation, lighting and technology.
Photo credit: Kate / Adobe Stock
Ontario gas prices expected to spike ahead of Civic Holiday long weekend
Drivers and businesses could face sharply higher fuel costs heading into the Civic Holiday weekend. Gasoline prices across Ontario are expected to rise three cents Friday to approximately 179.9 cents per litre, while diesel could increase nine cents to 227.9 cents. The forecast follows renewed Middle East tensions and continued pressure on global refining capacity. Higher diesel prices can feed into transportation, airline and grocery costs, extending the effect well beyond the pump. The Bank of Canada has also warned that persistently higher oil prices could broaden inflation and potentially require a monetary-policy response.
Picture credit: Kyo46 / Adobe Stock
WestJet flight attendants’ union serves airline 72-hour strike notice
Summer travel plans are at risk after the union representing 4,400 WestJet flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice. WestJet responded with its own lockout notice, and job action could begin as early as Sunday at 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time. The airline says some flights could begin to be grounded Friday as it attempts to avoid stranding passengers, crews and aircraft. Travellers booked between July 30 and August 4 may make a one-time change or cancel without a fee. WestJet Encore and partner-operated codeshare flights are not expected to be affected.
New Niagara technology fund offers grants of up to $5,000
Niagara businesses and not-for-profit organizations will soon be able to apply for grants supporting technology adoption and modernization. The new Niagara Technology Grants Fund, delivered by Innovate Niagara and Venture Niagara, has a total funding pool of $50,000 and will provide up to $5,000 per project. Applicants must make a matching cash contribution equal to the grant requested. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 25 employees and have operated for at least one year. Applications open August 4 and close September 7, with projects expected to begin around September 15 and conclude by February 15, 2027.
Picture credit: prasannapix / Adobe Stock
Niagara business openings outpace closures in April
Business openings exceeded closures in St. Catharines–Niagara during April, according to new Statistics Canada estimates. The region recorded 465 openings and 422 closures, resulting in a positive difference of 43 businesses. The number of active businesses rose by 45 from March to reach 8,980 and was 19 higher than in April 2025. Ontario also recorded more openings than closures, with 19,768 businesses opening and 19,038 closing. Across Canada, 47,565 businesses opened while 45,536 closed. The Niagara figures indicate modest growth in the region’s active business population despite continued economic and trade uncertainty.
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Proposed tariffs stack onto the ongoing investment freeze
The greatest cost of renewed U.S. tariff threats may be the investments Canadian businesses decide not to make, according to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab. Its latest Business Insights Quarterly finds that companies generally have the financial capacity to invest but lack confidence in demand, trade policy and broader economic conditions. Manufacturers report particularly high rates of delayed investment and expansion, yet only 1% of businesses plan to establish U.S. operations. Canadian business investment per worker remains well below U.S. and OECD levels, while business confidence has remained below neutral for eight consecutive quarters.
Photo credit: NVB Stocker / Adobe Stock
Major unions want U.S. to reconsider trade regime against Canada
The United Steelworkers and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers are asking the Trump administration to reconsider tariffs on Canadian imports. Together representing approximately 1.45 million North American workers, the unions argue that Canada and the United States have broadly compatible wage, labour and environmental standards. Their letter says the countries should align against unfair and predatory trade practices from other economies rather than create further divisions within an integrated continental market. The unions support stronger trade enforcement generally but warn that measures targeting Canada could weaken economic and national security while disrupting established industrial relationships.
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Government of Canada support to help Ontario businesses strengthen trade resilience and expand into new markets
Ontario businesses looking beyond the United States will have access to a new export-support program focused on Europe. The Toronto Business Development Centre is launching the $5-million GoEU initiative with investments of nearly $2.5 million each from the federal and Ontario governments. Participating companies will receive export-readiness assessments, tailored advisory services and direct access to European market expertise, connections and partnership opportunities. Priority will be given to businesses responding to tariff pressure, including firms in the automotive, steel and related supply chains. The program supports Canada’s goal of doubling exports outside the United States over the coming decade.
Picture credit: Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
Carney pushes back on calls to use energy as leverage in U.S. trade talks
Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing back against suggestions that Canada should threaten to restrict energy exports during trade negotiations with Washington. Carney said Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier is a competitive advantage and should not be undermined, while emphasizing that Ottawa still has other options if talks fail. The federal government remains focused on reaching an agreement before threatened 50% tariffs on a broad range of Canadian goods take effect. Unlike many previous tariff measures, the proposed duties would not exempt products compliant with the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, significantly expanding their potential economic effect.
Picture credit: Jeff Whyte / Bank of Canada
Bank of Canada expects economic rebound, decelerating inflation rate but risks remain
The Bank of Canada’s governing council expects economic growth to rebound to approximately 2.5% in the second quarter of 2026 after a prolonged period of weakness. Recent exports, investment and employment indicators suggest the recovery is broadening, although unemployment remains elevated and business confidence is still constrained by trade uncertainty. The central bank expects annual growth of 0.7% in 2026 and 1.8% in both 2027 and 2028. Inflation is projected to ease to 2.5% later this year, but renewed Middle East conflict, higher fuel prices, new U.S. tariffs and weak productivity could alter that outlook.
Picture credit: NVB Stocker / Adobe Stock
Minister Sidhu establishes Strategic Exports Office to strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness
The federal government has established a Strategic Exports Office to help Canadian companies pursue major international opportunities and diversify beyond the United States. Located within Global Affairs Canada and working closely with Export Development Canada, the office will combine diplomatic support, market intelligence and financial expertise. Its initial focus will include aerospace and defence, infrastructure and energy. Ottawa also created a Strategic Exports Advisory Council featuring leaders from major Canadian businesses and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The office will identify large-scale opportunities, coordinate government engagement and mobilize senior-level advocacy when it could help Canadian firms secure contracts abroad.
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Payroll employment increases by 24,100 in May as earnings rise 3.4%
Canadian payroll employment increased by 24,100 in May following a gain of 59,000 in April. Public administration, health care, retail and administrative support led the monthly increase, while finance and insurance and professional, scientific and technical services lost positions. Retail employment grew for a third consecutive month, driven largely by food and beverage retailers. Average weekly earnings reached approximately $1,338, up 3.4% from May 2025, while average weekly hours remained stable at 33.4. Employers reported 495,700 job vacancies, marking a fifth consecutive month with little change in the number of unfilled positions.
Picture credit: SYEDARASHEKA / Adobe Stock
More than one-third of Canadian workers now use generative AI on the job
Generative artificial intelligence is already part of working life for more than one-third of Canadian employees and business owners. Statistics Canada found that 35.9% of workers used generative AI during the previous year, with adoption reaching 75.1% in management occupations and 67.5% in natural and applied sciences. Use was considerably lower in trades, transportation, agriculture and resource occupations. Most users apply AI to some, but not most, of their tasks, while 31.4% use it daily. Among non-users, the leading explanation was that the technology did not appear applicable to their work.
Picture credit: Drazen / Adobe Stock
St. Catharines food bank faces record demand amid ‘sustained affordability crisis’
A St. Catharines food bank served more than 54,000 people in 2025, including over 19,500 children, as demand rose by at least 60% over five years. St. Vincent de Paul’s food bank says its clients increasingly include employed people whose wages cannot cover food, rent and utilities. The organization now relies on approximately 150 volunteers but remains entirely donation-based, with limited supplies of meat and other protein-rich foods. Across Ontario, visits to reporting food banks have nearly doubled since 2019. Niagara community gardens are helping provide fresh produce, although food programs continue to struggle with declining grocery donations.
Photo credit: Loblaw Companies Limited / YouTube screenshot
Discount grocery a ‘long-term shift,’ Loblaw CEO says
Loblaw expects consumers’ preference for discount grocery stores to continue beyond the current affordability pressures. Seven of the company’s 14 new stores during the second quarter were discount supermarkets, and No Frills recently opened its 200th Ontario location. Loblaw says shoppers are increasingly relying on promotions and private-label brands to stretch household budgets. Comparable sales at its discount banners grew by close to 4% during the quarter. The company plans to open approximately 75 stores this year and a similar number in 2027, with new discount locations targeted partly toward markets it considers underserved.
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CIBC announces collaboration with Taskrabbit to expand support for skilled trades
CIBC and Taskrabbit have launched a collaboration offering financial products and resources to independent tradespeople operating through the home-services platform. Participating Taskers will gain access to selected banking and credit-card offers, tailored advice during onboarding and financial-literacy support designed for workers managing both trade and business finances. CIBC will also sponsor Taskrabbit’s quarterly Top Tasker program, providing cash incentives to workers recognized for strong performance. The bank introduced a skilled-trades banking offer in 2024 and expanded it in 2025 with a dedicated business-banking program for trades entrepreneurs, apprentices and established professionals.
Photo credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock
Bell Canada rolls out AI tool flagging scam calls in real time
Bell Canada is introducing an artificial-intelligence system designed to identify caller-ID spoofing and warn mobile customers about potentially fraudulent calls in real time. The feature will be activated automatically for customers of Bell, Virgin Plus, Lucky Mobile, PC Mobile, No Name and Maxi Mobile using iOS or Android devices. Calls identified by the system may appear with “likely fraud” or “possible spam” warnings. Bell says its existing spam and fraud protection has analyzed more than 4.4 billion calls since 2025 and blocked or labelled over 540 million. Customers are advised to save important contacts to reduce mislabelling.
Picture credit: Yeongsik Im / Adobe Stock
Federal government invests nearly $11 million in electric vehicle infrastructure and education
The federal government is investing $10.9 million in 22 electric-vehicle charging and education projects across Canada. Nearly $9 million will support the installation of approximately 400 chargers, while around $2 million will fund awareness, training and practical guidance. Ontario projects include 44 chargers from Ivy Charging Network, 74 from QuantumEV and 21 from Ontario Power Generation, alongside other installations. National education projects will develop resources for fleet managers, property managers, parking operators, municipalities and first responders. Ottawa says the investment is intended to reduce charging barriers and support broader adoption by households, institutions and commercial fleets.
Picture credit: WMrapids / CC0
Liberals block hearings on Gordie Howe bridge deal as government MP admits confusion
Liberal MPs have rejected a parliamentary motion calling for further hearings into Canada’s revised agreement with the United States concerning the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The proposed hearings would have questioned three federal ministers and directed the parliamentary budget officer to examine the bridge’s projected costs and revenues. Opposition MPs argued that more scrutiny is needed after the government agreed to share future net revenues with the United States once project debt is repaid. Prime Minister Mark Carney defended the arrangement, saying Canada made a modest concession compared with the economic benefits of opening the new cross-border trade connection.
Focus on Tourism
The tourism industry is running out of workers
Wayne Smith, Maclean’s
It’s happening everywhere: the mountains of Quebec, Ontario’s cottage country, and worst of all in tourist towns like Banff and Canmore. Restaurants are shutting down. Hotels are cutting services. Businesses are faced with the decision to either stretch their workers thin, taking on the work of multiple positions and dividing attention between too many guests, or turn down clientele altogether. Remaining staff are working daily overtime just to keep the doors open. The hospitality and tourism sector’s job vacancy rate is over double the national average. There’s simply not enough candidates to fill the roles. It’s killing profit margins, burning out staff and leaving guests unhappy.
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.
