In this edition:
- Ontario breaks ground on Grimsby GO station
- Welland steel mill could supply Canada’s future submarine fleet
- Smithville’s tallest structure: Spring groundbreaking for $25M 55+ apartments
- Niagara Parks marks milestones with new exhibit, outdoor theatre and children’s garden
- Niagara Geopark launches new website and fundraising program
- Port Colborne launches second round of engagement on New Official Plan
- Government of Canada launches consultations ahead of Budget 2026
- Canada’s total trade surplus widens in May
- Eight countries commit to supporting the Canada-led Defence, Security and Resilience Bank
- Many Canadian manufacturers eyeing U.S. move as trade tensions take a toll, says KPMG
- Focus on Finance & Economy
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Featured content by The Apiary
From Pink Slip to Page One: Cara Krezek Launches “I Just Got Fired” at Bella Terra Vineyards
Whether you’ve been laid off, downsized, “restructured,” of simply felt pushed out of a job that no longer felt like home, Cara Krezek’s debut book is for you. A familiar face in our GNCC community through her work with the WIN Council and Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of The Apiary Inc., Cara is turning her own career upheaval into a story that’s equal parts honest, healing, and hopeful.
Join us July 16th at Bella Terra Vineyards as Cara launches, I Just Got Fired with an evening designed to celebrate resilience and reinvention. The night includes a live reading and book signing, a panel discussion on navigating career transitions, on-site partner activations, a grazing table, local wine, and live music amongst the vines.
Whether you’re rebuilding, reflecting, or just love a good comeback story, this is one launch you won’t want to miss.
Picture credit: Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Ontario breaks ground on Grimsby GO station
The Ontario government has started construction on the Grimsby GO Station as part of its plan to fight gridlock, decrease travel times and support increased GO service to the Niagara Region. In addition to opening Confederation GO Station last year, the province completed major upgrades to West Harbour GO Station, saving 250,000 daily commuters 15 minutes roundtrip and improving access to Niagara Falls, which the province has dubbed Canada’s top tourist destination.
Picture credit: Valbruna ASW
Welland steel mill that armed two world wars could supply Canada’s future submarine fleet
Steel made at Welland’s Valbruna ASW Inc. could find its way into future Canadian submarines. Tim Clutterbuck, Valbruna’s director of corporate relations, said Kiel, Germany-based TKMS approached the company about strengthening industrial collaboration, including in advanced submarine programs such as the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.
Picture credit: Quartek Group
Smithville’s tallest structure: Spring groundbreaking for $25M 55+ apartments
After six years of planning, work is expected to begin next spring on the $25-million Legion Villa 3 in Smithville. The six-storey, 52-unit affordable rental apartment building for people aged 55 and older is to be built between villa buildings 1 and 2 on the 2.4-hectare (six-acre) site at the foot of Mill Street.
Picture credit: Niagara Parks
Niagara Parks marks milestones with new exhibit, outdoor theatre and children’s garden
Niagara Parks is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture and the 30th anniversary of the Butterfly Conservatory with new visitor experiences, including the interactive Pollinator Playground exhibit and a Shaw Festival outdoor theatre production, A Short History of Niagara, running July 9 to August 18. Construction is also set to begin this fall on a new four-acre Children’s Garden, adding another family-focused attraction to one of Niagara’s major tourism destinations.
Photo credit: Niagara Geopark
Niagara Geopark launches new website and fundraising program
Niagara Geopark has launched a new website and Friends of the Geopark fundraising program to support its growing education, outreach, and stewardship work as the organization continues its path toward UNESCO Global Geopark designation.
The new website, available at www.niagarageopark.com, gives Niagara Geopark a stronger digital home and a clearer way to share its work across Niagara and beyond.
Picture credit: City of Port Colborne
Port Colborne launches second round of engagement on New Official Plan
Port Colborne residents are invited to help shape the future of their community by participating in upcoming public engagement initiatives for the City’s New Official Plan. Learn more about Port Colborne’s New Official Plan by visiting www.portcolborne.ca/newofficialplan
Picture credit: Andriy Blokhin / Adobe Stock
Government of Canada launches consultations ahead of Budget 2026
In preparation for the fall budget, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, today announced the launch of pre-budget consultations. Canadians across the country are invited to share their input on key priorities by visiting Canada.ca/yourbudget.
Picture credit: Sergii / Adobe Stock
Canada’s total trade surplus widens in May
Canada’s total trade surplus widened from $3.2 billion in April to $3.8 billion in May, as stronger goods exports offset a larger services deficit. Merchandise exports rose 0.9% to a record $77.1 billion, led by gains in metal ores and non-metallic minerals, consumer goods, chemicals, and farm, fishing and intermediate food products, while Canada’s services imports increased 2.0%, driven in part by transportation services related to marine goods movement.
Picture credit: fotograupner / Adobe Stock
Eight countries commit to supporting the Canada-led Defence, Security and Resilience Bank
Today, at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, welcomed the support for the Canada-led DSRB by: Albania, Belgium, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine. These countries will be entrusted with defining the initial policies and directives of the Bank, shaping its operations and ensuring benefits flow to members’ economies.
Picture credit: Luthfi Syahwal / Adobe Stock
Many Canadian manufacturers eyeing U.S. move as trade tensions take a toll, says KPMG
KPMG Canada said on Tuesday (July 7) that 42% of Canadian manufacturing companies indicated they have or are considering moving production to the United States. Of those considering relocating, 77% expect to make the transition within the next two years
Focus on Finance & Economy
Resetting expectations: Canada’s economy in a lower-immigration era
Don Drummond and Parisa Mahboubi, C.D. Howe Institute
Canada’s economic landscape has shifted fundamentally. After years of immigration-driven population and labour force expansion, the federal government has sharply reduced immigration targets. This shift marks a demographic transition that has implications for two of the most closely watched indicators of economic health: employment and real GDP growth.
The purpose of this paper is to set realistic expectations. The estimates show that in a normally functioning economy – neither overheated nor demand-deficient – employment under the baseline scenario is projected to decline by 0.3 percent in 2026 and 0.1 percent in 2027. In other words, employment falls by approximately 54,000 in 2026 and 17,000 in 2027, or monthly declines of roughly 4,500 and 1,400, respectively. These are not signs of a struggling economy. They are what a normally operating labour market delivers, given the demographic shifts underway.
Real GDP growth this year may be no more than 0.5 percent. Long-run growth is likely to average little more than 1 percent annually.
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.
