In this edition:
- Niagara Region to celebrate 150 years of the Decew Water Treatment Plant
- Niagara-on-the-Lake moves plans for former hospital site out of limbo
- Niagara Region encouraging residents to help shape the vast Regional Road network for the next 25 years
- Prime Minister Carney launches AI for All
- Walmart+ membership program, arrives in Canada
- One in five retired Canadians are still carrying a mortgage
- Focus on Housing Solutions – How modern methods of construction can solve housing crisis
Did you know you can get the GNCC’s Daily Update emailed to you? Click here to sign up.
Picture credit: Niagara Region
Niagara Region to celebrate 150 years of the Decew Water Treatment Plant
From its humble beginnings delivering safe, reliable drinking water starting in St. Catharines in 1875, the Decew Water Treatment Plant has grown and evolved into a state-of-the-art facility that now supplies millions of litres of world-class drinking water to tens of thousands of Niagara residents every day. And that is cause for celebration.
That is why, as part of Doors Open St. Catharines on Sat., June 13, 2026, Niagara Region invites residents to celebrate this milestone anniversary of the Decew Water Treatment Plant being in operation for 150 years.
Picture credit: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake moves plans for former hospital site out of limbo
Council voted Wednesday to start a two-stage search for qualified proponents for 176 Wellington St., the former hospital site in Niagara-on-the-Lake that has sat in town hands since 2017.
The process will begin with a request for qualifications, meant to shortlist proponents with the experience and financial capacity to handle a sensitive redevelopment in one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s most prominent areas.
Staff will then report back with the results and a proposed request for proposals for council’s approval. If approved, only the shortlisted proponents would be invited into the next stage: a closed request for proposals process.
Picture credit: Koshiro K / Adobe Stock
Niagara Region encouraging residents to help shape the vast Regional Road network for the next 25 years
As Niagara anticipates growing over the next few decades, Niagara Region transportation experts are planning for an efficient and viable road network to move people and goods across communities to meet that demand and is asking for the public’s insight into developing this crucial blueprint.
The Region has launched the Niagara Transportation Plan (TMP) 2051, an update to its 2017 Transportation Master Plan that will guide transportation investments and priorities over the next 25 years.
Residents are encouraged to attend one of two Public Information Centres to learn more about the project and provide feedback.
Picture credit: Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister Carney launches AI for All
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, launched AI for All, Canada’s new national AI strategy. Over the next five years, this strategy will introduce new legislation, investments, and programs that ensure AI is adopted responsibly, in a way that truly serves all Canadians — building trust, expanding opportunities, and reinforcing control of our sovereignty.
The AI for All Strategy targets an additional $200 billion of economic growth to create 250,000 new AI-related jobs over the next five years and to increase AI adoption from just over 12 per cent to 60 per cent by 2034. The strategy is intended to provide up to 90,000 AI-related jobs and work placement opportunities for young Canadians and make Canadian industries more competitive in the global economy.
Picture credit: Iryna / Adobe Stock
Walmart+ membership program, arrives in Canada
Walmart+ has arrived in Canada, unlocking a membership program that brings together unlimited same-day delivery from store, free shipping with no order minimum from Walmart.ca, and a subscription to Crave for $8.97 per month or $89 annually.
Canada is the first Walmart market outside of the United States to launch Walmart+.
Picture credit: Andy Dean / Adobe Stock
One in five retired Canadians are still carrying a mortgage
A mortgage in retirement is becoming a fact of life for many Canadians as the rising cost of living, later-life debt and a pricey housing market stretch borrowing into their later years.
The Fidelity Retirement Report out this week found that debt and rising economic uncertainty are complicating the retirement outlook for many Canadians.
Twenty-two per cent of retirees polled still have a mortgage, more than half of which do not expect to pay it off in under 10 years. More than 20 per cent of retirees and 12 per cent of pre-retirees do not expect to be able to pay off the mortgage at all.
Focus on Housing Solutions
How modern methods of construction can help solve housing crisis in Canada
Stephanie Shewchuk, RBC Building Report
Home prices in virtually every major Canadian city, and many smaller communities, have soared out of reach for many people. While the causes of Canada’s housing crisis are varied, all point back to a foundational issue: Canada is not building enough affordable homes fast enough.
What’s needed, and fast, are new approaches to increase supply, reduce costs, improve delivery times and decrease emissions.
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.
