In this edition:
- Ontario government is investing over $4.7 million in three Niagara region-based projects
- Two councillors in Niagara re-elected to represent Region at national level
- West Niagara Memorial Hospital renaming no longer considered
- Liberal government takes first step toward changing capital gains tax
- Rogers Communications signs deals with NBCUniversal and Warner Bros Discovery
- Canadian Chamber statement regarding Auditor General’s new cybersecurity recommendations
- Focus on Technology
Ontario government is investing over $4.7 million in three Niagara region-based projects
The Ontario government is investing over $4.7 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) in three Niagara region-based projects that will provide free training to 2,318 youth, apprentices and jobseekers that will prepare them for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.
The Ontario government is partnering with industry to deliver free training programs, including:
- Civiconnect Youth Community Engagement Organization: $3 million to help 350 youth aged 14 to 29 in Niagara region develop technical and workplace preparedness skills for careers in the skilled trades, digital marketing, web development, digital system administration, cloud computing and information technology.
- Edge Factor Inc is receiving $1,087,600 for a project that aims to showcase careers and opportunities in the skilled trades online for 1,920 youth, jobseekers, parents and community members in Niagara region and across Ontario.
- United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, Local 1007 is receiving $650,369 to purchase and outfit a new six-booth welding trailer in Niagara region. The new industry-standard equipment and technology will enable Local 1007 to train, test and certify an additional 48 apprentices and journeypersons on various types of welding to meet industry and employer demand in Ontario.
Two councillors in Niagara re-elected to represent Region at national level
Two Niagara councillors will represent the Region at the national level after being elected once again to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board of Directors.
St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe says since Robin McPherson was appointed to council in 2022, and later elected as a City Councillor, she has been dedicated to making significant positive changes. McPherson is currently a member of the board’s Finance, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee.
Pelham Regional Councillor, Diana Huson, was also re-elected to the board. This will be the fourth consecutive term for Huson, who has been elected as Vice-Chair for the Ontario Caucus.
Regional Chair Jim Bradley says Huson has a proven track record of being a strong and experienced voice at the table as well as having a positive influence on issues with the federal government.
West Niagara Memorial Hospital renaming no longer considered
As a result of a recent Council meeting, the Town of Grimsby is no longer considering a request to rename West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) to West Niagara Memorial Hospital.
Over the past few months, they have worked closely with Lincoln and West Lincoln to engage the public on the matter. There was insufficient community support for the proposal, and Town of Grimsby Council voted in favour of keeping the name. As such, they will not be bringing a recommendation to Hamilton Health Sciences’ (HHS) Board of Directors for a name change.
Liberal government takes first step toward changing capital gains tax
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has taken the first legislative step toward implementing the government’s proposed changes to the capital gains tax.
The ways and means motion, the first stage before legislation is tabled, was introduced in the House of Commons today. It’s expected to be voted on later in the week. The increase in the “inclusion rate” — from one-half to two-thirds on capital gains above $250,000 for individuals — was announced in the budget.
Rogers Communications signs deals with NBCUniversal and Warner Bros Discovery
Rogers Communications Inc. says it has signed multiyear deals with NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery for their popular lifestyle and entertainment brands in Canada.
The company says it is launching NBCUniversal’s Bravo channel in Canada in September and will become the English-language television content rights holder in Canada.
Starting in January Rogers will also be the home of Warner Bros. Discovery’s English-language U.S. lifestyle brands, including HGTV, the Food Network and others.
Colette Watson, president of Rogers Sports and Media, says the investment helps advances the company’s position as a strong Canadian broadcaster that can compete with foreign streamers.
Canadian Chamber statement regarding Auditor General’s new cybersecurity recommendations
A recent report from the Auditor General found that the RCMP, the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) lack the right tools to protect Canadians from cyberattacks and online crime.
The Auditor General made the following recommendations:
- Agencies should work together to ensure that cybercrimes reported by Canadians are routed to the organization with the mandate to address them;
- the co-ordination centre should ensure all requests for assistance received from domestic and international partners are fully documented and completed; and
- the CRTC should ensure that roles and responsibilities of officials responsible for enforcement comply with the requirements of the legislation.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce made the following statement:
“It’s great to see the Auditor General highlighting recommendations that our Cyber. Right. Now. Council has been calling for since 2021. These include improved public-private collaboration, such as two-way information sharing and clarifying roles and responsibilities for cyber security in the Federal Government. We will continue to advocate for cyber security measures that make Canada – and its private and public sector entities – the most secure country on the planet. Combatting cybercrime can’t wait, and we hope to see these elements included in the forthcoming National Cyber Security Strategy.”
Did you know?
The U.S. far outpaced the rest of the world, adding 500,000 new millionaires last year. Today’s 7.5 million American millionaires have a combined fortune of $26.1 trillion.
Focus on Technology
Apple unveiled a long-awaited AI strategy on Monday, including bringing ChatGPT to its devices
Reuters, Aditya Soni and Max A. Cherney
Today, Apple unveiled a long-awaited AI strategy, integrating “Apple Intelligence” across its suite of apps including Siri, and announced a partnership with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to its devices.
With these moves, the iPhone maker is seeking to reassure investors that it has not lost the AI battle to Microsoft, even though it may have forfeited a few rounds. Microsoft took an early lead in the race to commercialize AI through its bet on OpenAI.
How transparency and traceability are reinventing the future of business
Fast Company, Stephanie Mehta
The concept of transparency in business is not new. Companies have long had to share information with shareholders and suppliers. Consumers and employees, too, are asking for more data and accountability from brands and employers. Some businesses open up only when required by law—and they do so grudgingly. Nearly a third of CEOs say regulation and compliance inhibits their ability to reinvent their businesses, according to PwC’s most recent Global CEO Survey.
But a growing number of companies view transparency in their supply chains and manufacturing processes as a competitive advantage, and they’re not waiting for regulators to mandate disclosures. Instead, they’re mining that data for the value it brings to their businesses.
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.
