In this edition:
- Government of Canada invests in projects to increase workplace inclusion
- Construction trades included in new category-based immigration policy
- ‘Earn while you learn:’ Co-op programs gain appeal amid rising cost of living
- #WelcomingEconomy for Refugees sends message that refugees mean business
- Ontario craft breweries, wineries scramble to get product to customers as firm halts delivery service
- Nominations open for 2023 St. Catharines Arts Awards
- Hockey executive, Indigenous entrepreneur and corporate governance champion to be honoured at Brock’s Convocation
- Hotel Dieu Shaver receives $1 million donation – inpatient building renamed
- Port Cares issues Summertime Challenge to local businesses
- Heddle Shipyards and Team Vigilance launch offshore patrol vessel
Government of Canada invests in projects to increase workplace inclusion
Today, as part of National AccessAbility Week 2023, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced funding of more than $118 million over the next three years under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (OF). This will support 60 projects that organizations across Canada are launching this year, to help improve access to jobs and workplace accessibility for Canadians with disabilities.
Construction trades included in new category-based immigration policy
The federal government has announced it is introducing “category-based selection” for Express Entry, Canada’s economic immigration management system.
The process will allow Canada to issue invitations to apply to prospective permanent residents with specific skills, training or language ability.
This year, category-based selection invitations will focus on candidates who have work experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions; trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors; transport and other categories.
‘Earn while you learn:’ Co-op programs gain appeal amid rising cost of living
Canada is a leader in co-operative education, a learning model that alternates between academic and paid work terms.
It’s a form of so-called work integrated learning, an umbrella term that also includes other approaches to experiential learning like apprenticeships, internships and clinical placements.
Co-op programs can vary across the country, but all involve work related to a student’s field of study.
Employers gain access to affordable and energetic young talent, while students get hands-on experience and earn money.
#WelcomingEconomy for Refugees sends message that refugees mean business
Refugees offer an untapped wealth of talent for Canadian employers: this is the message of #WelcomingEconomy for Refugees, a Canada-wide bilingual campaign launched today to help employers connect with refugees eager to employ their talents in Canada’s workforce.
The month-long campaign is sponsored by the Refugee Jobs Agenda Roundtable, which provides a platform for employers, employment, and immigrant-serving agencies and government representatives to work together on increasing refugees’ access to meaningful employment opportunities. The Roundtable is co-chaired by The Honourable Ratna Omidvar, Rashmi Vohra of TD Bank Group, and Jim Estill of Danby Appliances.
Ontario craft breweries, wineries scramble to get product to customers as firm halts delivery service
The next time you want to have a case of your favourite Niagara wine or local craft beer show up at your doorstep, you might be in for a bit of a disappointment.
Courier and logistics company Swiftpost, popular with Ontario alcohol producers, has announced it’s getting out of the physical delivery business to focus on logistics software, leaving craft breweries and wineries scrambling to find another provider at one of their busiest times of year.
“We were going to increase our delivery volumes significantly, and now, I’m scrambling,” said Jason Fisher, owner of Indie Alehouse, a west-end brew pub which also has an outlet in restaurant-grocery store Eataly.
Nominations open for 2023 St. Catharines Arts Awards
The City of St. Catharines is celebrating its arts community again this year by calling for nominees for the 2023 Arts Awards.
Local artists, residents, businesses and organizations are eligible to be nominated for awards in the following categories: the Arts in Education Award, the Emerging Artist Award, the Established Artist Award, the Making a Difference Award, and the Patron of the Arts Award.
All recipients receive a personalized handmade glass award sculpture. An amount of $500 accompanies each award, except the Patron of the Arts Award where the funds are directed to a St. Catharines artist or an arts organization of the recipient’s choice.
Nominations are open until 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 1.
Hockey executive, Indigenous entrepreneur and corporate governance champion to be honoured at Brock’s Convocation
Three impactful leaders who’ve made their mark in their respective fields will be recognized for their contributions during Brock University’s Spring Convocation.
Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas (BSM ’07), Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics Inc. founder and CEO Jenn Harper and Women Get On Board Inc. founder and CEO Deborah Rosati (BAdmin ’84) will each receive an honorary doctorate from Brock and deliver a Convocation address to the University’s latest graduating class during the week of June 12.
Brock’s 113th Convocation includes nine ceremonies from June 12 to 16. Ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day, except for Friday, June 16, when only a morning ceremony is scheduled.
Hotel Dieu Shaver receives $1 million donation – inpatient building renamed
The Hotel Dieu Shaver family gathered together this week for a special dedication in celebration of a transformational gift made to HDS Foundation.
Team members and friends of HDS were surprised and delighted to learn that the inpatient building has been renamed “The Dr. John T. Luce Inpatient Building.”
This new name honours the late Dr. John (Jack) Luce, a man who dedicated himself and his life to caring for others.
Port Cares issues Summertime Challenge to local businesses
One of Canada’s largest retailers has issued a challenge to businesses across the country, including in Port Colborne, to support local charities.
Mark J. Leon, chair of Leon’s Furniture Limited, put his money where his mouth is, and Leon’s Furniture donated $10,000 to Port Cares.
He also asked the agency to issue the Port Cares Summertime Challenge to all companies operating in Port Colborne and the surrounding area.
Christine Clark Lafleur, chief executive officer of Port Cares, said the donation has come at a critical time.
Vigilance Class OPV Designed by Vard Marine Inc. (CNW Group/Heddle Shipyards)
Heddle Shipyards and Team Vigilance launch offshore patrol vessel
The Team Vigilance partner companies Vard Marine Inc, Heddle Shipyards, Thales Canada, SH Defense, and Fincantieri, launch the Vigilance Class Offshore Patrol Vessel.
Intended to satisfy projected future demands under the second pillar of the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Vigilance Class vessels will replace the Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels. These new ships will be designed, built, and equipped in Canada.
Did you know?
North America’s oldest continuously-operated business is the Hudson’s Bay Company, founded in 1670.
Focus on Technology
How midsize companies can keep up with AI
What do the internet, smartphones, social media, the metaverse, and generative AI have in common?
Answer: they’re all part of the same, ongoing innovation movie.
We’ve seen this movie before, and if the Fast & Furious series can create double-digit sequels (movie number 10 coming soon), we should expect the same from technology.
Somehow, we keep forgetting, but this current AI hype cycle isn’t the first, and certainly won’t be the last. Innovation is exciting, but it’s also ongoing. Just when we started figuring out the internet, along came smartphones. As the metaverse grabbed our attention, generative AI arrived. While we’re all still navigating both the ethical and safety concerns, if this truly is generative AI’s smartphone moment, then another innovation will have its own generative AI moment. It’s not a coincidence; it’s a never-ending pattern. Rinse and repeat.
A look at lesser-known organizations putting AI to work
While Big Tech is busy racing for AI dominance, smaller companies are paving their own quiet journeys with AI, with efficiency, innovation and cost at the centre of their change.
Here are some you should know about.
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.
