Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses

Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits/ to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.

Ontario Updating AstraZeneca Second Dose Guidance

Effective June 4, 2021 and in alignment with NACI’s recommendation, Ontarians who have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can choose to either receive a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, or an mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine for their second dose.

Ontario government to invest in raising high-school student interest in skilled trades and technology careers

The Ontario government is investing almost $440,000 to help more than 2,000 high school students learn more about available skilled trades and technology careers. The project, led by not-for-profit Junior Achievement (JA), will help local communities recover more quickly from COVID-19 by addressing a shortage of workers in jobs like electrician, plumber, carpenter, computer analyst and software developer.

St. Catharines residents asked to give feedback on Development Charges

The City of St. Catharines Development Charges Background Study is now available for public review and feedback, as the City considers introducing Development Charges (DCs) for residential and non-residential projects. DCs are a revenue tool that are charged to developers for the City to recover the capital costs associated with residential and non-residential growth. While the Niagara Region have upper-tier DCs in place, St. Catharines is currently the only municipality in Niagara that does not have lower-tier DCs.

A video presentation of the Development Charges Background Study along with the complete study and a public feedback survey can now be found at www.EngageSTC.ca/DevelopmentCharges.

Public feedback will be compiled for Council prior to a public meeting to be held on July 12.

Niagara Health shows excellence in Laboratory Medicine with Accreditation in Diagnostics

Niagara Health’s Laboratory Medicine Program (LMP) has received the highest accreditation award by Accreditation Canada Diagnostics for all five lab sites for the second time in a row.

Accreditation is a mark of excellence acknowledged around the world.

A wide variety of laboratory services exist at Niagara Health including hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, surgical pathology, cytology, autopsy service and transfusion medicine. This past year, the team also processed over 10,000 COVID-19 tests to support the COVID-19 response in the region.

CRTC seeks input on three-digit number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services

The CRTC is inviting all interested persons to comment on whether there is a need for a three-digit number, such as the 9-8-8 three digit code in the United States, for a national mental health crisis and suicide prevention service. The CRTC is examining the advantages, challenges and costs associated with the deployment of this three-digit number.

The CRTC is welcoming comments until September 1, 2021. Canadians can participate by:

• filling out the online form;
• writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON2; or
• sending a fax to (819) 994-0218.

Reading Recommendations

Ottawa ups fine to $5,000 for travellers who refuse to quarantine in a hotel

CBC News

Air passengers entering Canada who refuse to quarantine in a designated hotel will soon be subject to a $5,000 fine.

The federal government has announced that, starting Friday, international air passengers who decline to take their required COVID-19 tests or who refuse to check into a quarantine hotel could be hit with a $5,000 fine for each offence — a $2,000 increase from the current fine.

On Feb. 22, the government said air passengers entering Canada must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and spend up to three days of their 14-day quarantine at a government-approved hotel to wait for their test results. Passengers must foot the bill for their stay, which can cost up to $2,000.

The New York Times

The tumultuous events of the past year have challenged the merits of paring inventories, while reinvigorating concerns that some industries have gone too far, leaving them vulnerable to disruption. As the pandemic has hampered factory operations and sown chaos in global shipping, many economies around the world have been bedeviled by shortages of a vast range of goods — from electronics to lumber to clothing.

In a time of extraordinary upheaval in the global economy, Just In Time is running late.

Featured Content

Make the most of your wi-fi

YourTV

The past year has been difficult for each and every entrepreneur and at Cogeco, we are well aware of this. That’s why it is important to continue to improve and invest in our infrastructure. One main solution to face the hurdles ahead is continuing to adapt the tech expertise and develop initiatives to make your life easier when outages or slowness occur. Your time is precious, we get that.

While the situation is still difficult for the entrepreneurs, please find here a few easy and quick tips to make the most out of your internet services.