In this edition:
- Niagara unemployment rate falls to 7.2% as national rate rises
- Canada’s unemployment rate could reach 7.5% on still strong immigration
- Government of Canada creates 6,000 new Canada Summer Jobs positions
- Niagara-on-the-Lake businesses earn town award for accessibility excellence
- Gas prices fell again in Canada this week; here’s where the discounts are deepest
- Government of Canada introduces legislation to accelerate major infrastructure projects
- Focus on Technology
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Niagara unemployment rate falls to 7.2% as national rate rises
Niagara’s unemployment rate fell to 7.2% in May from 7.6% in April, Statistics Canada reported today, following a 0.1 percentage point decline between March and April. The participation rate fell and the overall employment rate was unchanged, indicating that at least some of the declining rate may have been caused by people leaving the workforce.*
Nationally, employment was little changed in May with gains of 8,800, an increase of less than 0.1%, and the employment rate held steady at 60.8%. The unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points to 7.0%.
Photo credit: Evgenia Parajanian / Adobe Stock
Canada’s unemployment rate could reach 7.5% on still strong immigration
Canada’s unemployment rate could hit 7.5 per cent as more newcomers are admitted to the country than expected after the government made massive cuts last year to its immigrant targets, says a new report.
Photo credit: Africa Studio / Adobe Stock
Government of Canada creates 6,000 new Canada Summer Jobs positions
While CSJ was on track to create 70,000 jobs for youth this summer, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, today announced up to 6,000 more Canada Summer Jobs opportunities.
From now until July 21, 2025, young job seekers between the ages of 15 and 30 can find local job opportunities on the Job Bank website and mobile app. Youth can apply for summer jobs in fields that interest them, such as the recreation sector, the food industry and marketing and tourism.
Employers interested in applying for CSJ funding next year are encouraged to open an account on the secure Grants and Contributions Online Services portal so they are prepared for next year’s call for applications.
Picture credit: Rafa Jodar / Adobe Stock
Niagara-on-the-Lake businesses earn town award for accessibility excellence
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has been recognized as a recipient of the 2025 Accessibility Matters Here Award, presented by the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC). The award honours municipalities and businesses across Niagara that demonstrate leadership in creating inclusive, accessible spaces for all.
The locations which contributed to the award were Southbrook Winery, Jackson Triggs Winery, Bank of Montreal (BMO), NOTL Branch, and the NOTL Community Centre.
Photo credit: alexanderuhrin / Adobe Stock
Gas prices fell again in Canada this week; here’s where the discounts are deepest
Gas prices fell 1.1 cents per litre of regular fuel on average in cities across Canada this week, according to data from Kalibrate. The average rate at the pumps is down about 13 per cent year-over-year.
Photo credit: serikbaib / Adobe Stock
Government of Canada introduces legislation to accelerate major infrastructure projects
Today, Minister Dominic LeBlanc introduced One Canadian Economy: An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act.
The proposed legislation will accelerate the realization of major, nation-building projects in alignment with the Government of Canada’s commitment to a ‘one project, one review’ approach.
Focus on Technology
What are Canada’s governing Liberals going to do about AI?
Fresh off his election victory, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been focused on standing up to Donald Trump’s claims on Canada as the 51st state and American tariffs. But while that political drama unfolds, one topic that seems to have quietly slipped under the radar is the rise of artificial intelligence.
Despite its transformative impact on everything from jobs to national security, AI received surprisingly little attention during the campaign and in the first weeks following Carney’s victory. The consequences of that lack of attention are already starting to show, as emissions and electricity costs continue unabated without a clear vision of where AI fits in.
Although Carney has appointed former journalist Evan Solomon as Canada’s first-ever AI minister, it’s not yet clear what action the Liberal government plans to take on AI.
The Liberals’ “Canada Strong” plan outlining the prime minister’s proposals is scarce on details. Still, it provides some clues on how the Liberals see AI and what they believe it offers to the Canadian economy — and also what they seem to have misunderstood.
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.
