In this edition:
- Minister of Labour requests inquiry into possibility of negotiated settlement in BC strike
- Niagara Region seeks applicants for committees
- Greg and Diane Slaight’s transformational $60 million gift largest in Niagara Health history
- Thorold expresses condolences over death of former mayor Ted Luciani
- Conference Board calls for more ‘friendshoring’ across Canadian industries
- Group aims to help curb racism in Niagara
- A van-tastic way to celebrate in Niagara
- China factory activity shrinks in July, adding to pressure to reverse economic slump
- Reading Recommendation: Small Business
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Minister of Labour requests inquiry into possibility of negotiated settlement in BC strike
Canadian Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan today announced that he had invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to preserve industrial peace and directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to determine whether the union’s rejection of the tentative agreement has eliminated the possibility of a negotiated resolution.
If the Board were to determine that to be the case, Minister O’Regan stated that he would direct them to either impose a new collective agreement on the parties or impose final binding arbitration to resolve outstanding terms of the collective agreement.
Niagara Region seeks applicants for committees
Greg and Diane Slaight’s transformational $60 million gift largest in Niagara Health history
Niagara Health Foundation is honoured to announce and celebrate a historic gift from Greg and Diane Slaight that will truly transform the care that patients receive at Niagara Health. This incredible and generous contribution will be directed towards critical patient care equipment and priority needs across Niagara Health, the Walker Family Cancer Centre and the South Niagara Hospital project.
Greg and Diane’s unparalleled $60-million gift is the largest donation ever made to the Niagara Health Foundation. $45-million of the gift will address priority patient care needs and the advancement and treatment of health needs at Niagara Health for Niagara’s 485,000 residents. $10-million from the gift will support the Walker Family Cancer Centre, which will ensure that patients can receive cancer diagnosis and treatment close to home. Finally, $5-million of the gift will support building the new South Niagara Hospital, which will bring a world-class healthcare facility to Niagara.
Thorold expresses condolences over death of former mayor Ted Luciani
Former Thorold mayor Ted Luciani has died, leaving behind a public service career almost 20 years long.
The announcement of his death came Friday afternoon, as Mayor Terry Ugulini expressed his sympathies.
“On behalf of city council, staff and residents of the city of Thorold, our heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Ted Luciani’s family and friends during this difficult time,” he said.
Conference Board calls for more ‘friendshoring’ across Canadian industries
Amid rising protectionist policies in global trade, “friendshoring” represents both challenges and economic opportunity for Canada and its workers, according to new research from The Conference Board of Canada. As a stable democracy with a skilled workforce and rich natural resources, they say Canada can benefit greatly from becoming a reliable supplier of critical goods to its allies.
“Although the term is new and seemingly rising in popularity, the policy objectives behind friendshoring are not clear,” stated Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist at The Conference Board of Canada. “As a country, Canada should tread carefully in its friendshoring agenda. While there are benefits to encouraging trade with friendly nations, imposing a friendshoring agenda could be costly for Canadian businesses and consumers.”
Group aims to help curb racism in Niagara
Whether someone is experiencing or witnessing instances of racism, they are often not sure of what to do.
Who can they talk to about it? Where can they get help, including legal assistance and support?
The Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association (NRARA) has put together a brochure with information, including contacts for various agencies that can help.
“For years, people have been asking us, ‘what do I do if I see racism or if racism happens to me?’” said Saleh Waziruddin, a member of NRARA’s executive team. “And we had some advice.”
Hidden Bench named 2023 Winery of the Year
One of the most respected Niagara wineries since its inception 20 years ago has finally won Winery of the Year honours — capturing a whopping 12 medals. There were two platinums, five golds and five silvers. The runners-up in the list of Canada’s Top 25 came very close, but it was a long-awaited moment for proprietor Harald Thiel and his team, including winemaker Alex Baines and viticulturalist Joel Williams.
Hidden Bench has come close to top Awards before, competing in the small winery category. But, with over 10,000 cases produced last year, it qualified for the top prize, which recognizes quality across a broad range of wines.
China factory activity shrinks in July, adding to pressure to reverse economic slump
Chinese factory activity contracted in July as export orders shrank, a survey showed Monday, adding to pressure on the ruling Communist Party to reverse an economic slowdown.
A purchasing managers’ index issued by the national statistics agency and an industry group improved to 49.3 from June’s 49 on a 100-point scale but was below the 50-point level that shows activity contracting.
“China’s manufacturing PMI remained in contraction, albeit a softer pace, as the drag from the external sector deepened,” Erin Xin of HSBC said in a report. That puts “more pressure on Beijing to support growth through both fiscal and monetary measures.”
Did you know?
Focus on Small Business
Do I need a target market if my product is good for everyone?
“Anyone can enjoy my product or service,” is something I hear regularly, and often the business is right! There is a large range of people who can enjoy their product or service, so why do marketers insist every company needs to understand their target markets?
There are multiple reasons why understanding your target market(s) is important, when you know who your target market(s) is/are, you can ensure your marketing messages are meeting the needs of the groups of people who are most likely to purchase your product.
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.
