In this edition:
- Latest Niagara Realtors data show housing market gradually regaining momentum
- Niagara Irrigation Initiative Project announced with up to $1.8M in total funding
- City of Welland considers new multi-use facility
- Local firm Mango Media celebrates three years with website giveaway
- Port Colborne gathering community feedback to develop 10-year Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan
- Competition Bureau sues DoorDash for allegedly advertising misleading prices and discounts
- Ontario expands free public access to hiking trails in Niagara escarpment biosphere
- DHL Express Canada strike begins, union warns of delivery risks
- Focus on Housing Solutions
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Photo credit: Andy Dean / Adobe Stock
Latest Niagara Realtors data show housing market gradually regaining momentum
Residential home sales activity recorded through the MLS® for the Niagara Association of REALTORS® (NAR) totalled 602 units in May 2025, compared to 553 in April 2025, while the average length of time it took to sell a home in May 2025 was 38 days, a 7.3% decrease from April.
“May’s numbers reflect a market that is gradually regaining momentum. Buyers are adjusting to current interest rates, and the increase in new listings is giving them more options to consider,” said Niagara Association of REALTORS® Chair Lisa Taylor.
Picture credit: Dusan Kostic / Adobe Stock
Niagara Irrigation Initiative Project announced with up to $1.8 million in total funding
The Niagara Irrigation Initiative Project Steering Committee is pleased to announce that up to $1.8 million in total funding has been secured to advance the Niagara Irrigation Initiative Project.
Niagara’s specialty crop lands are one of only a few areas in Canada with climate and soil conditions suitable for high value crops, such as grapes and tender fruit. The impacts of climate change, such as drought conditions, have highlighted the need for improved irrigation infrastructure across Niagara.
Picture credit: City of Welland
City of Welland considers new multi-use facility to support growing recreation needs
The City of Welland is exploring the next steps in enhancing its recreational offerings as it considers the development of a modern multi-use facility to support the needs of its growing and diverse population.
With new residents arriving and expectations increasing for flexible, accessible, and inclusive recreation options, the City is evaluating how best to replace its aging arenas with a new hub that could serve as a cornerstone for community well-being and activity.
MangoMedia founder Maggie McTavish | Picture credit: MangoMedia
Local firm Mango Media celebrates three years with website giveaway
In celebration of its third anniversary, Mango Media is launching a community initiative to support local small businesses by giving away three free websites to Niagara-based businesses that currently have no online presence. To apply or learn more, visit https://mangomedia.ca/niagara-website-giveaway.
Picture credit: City of Port Colborne
Port Colborne gathering community feedback to develop 10-year Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan
The City of Port Colborne has initiated the development of a new Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan. Spanning a 10-year period, from 2025 to 2035, the comprehensive plan will guide the future of Port Colborne’s indoor and outdoor recreation, parks, sport amenities, and related services.
Picture credit: mnirat / Adobe Stock
Competition Bureau sues DoorDash for allegedly advertising misleading prices and discounts
The Competition Bureau is taking legal action against DoorDash Inc., and its subsidiary DoorDash Technologies Canada Inc., for promoting their online delivery services at a lower price than what consumers actually have to pay.
A Bureau investigation found that consumers were unable to purchase food and other items at the advertised price on DoorDash’s websites and mobile applications due to the addition of mandatory fees at checkout. This practice is commonly known as drip pricing and is deceptive because consumers are not presented with an attainable price upfront.
Picture credit: Maryna / Adobe Stock
Ontario expands free public access to hiking trails in Niagara escarpment biosphere
The Ontario government is expanding access to trails across the province by investing $20 million over four years into the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program. For 2024/25, 15 projects will open up over 1,650 acres of land, including trails, for the public to enjoy at no cost.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy will be able to secure and protect over 150 acres (61 hectares) of land contained within the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO World Biosphere thanks to the program.
Picture credit: Belish / Adobe Stock
DHL Express Canada strike begins, union warns of delivery risks
DHL Express Canada workers began striking Sunday after the logistics company initiated a lockout amid ongoing contract negotiations, according to a spokesperson for Unifor, the union representing the carrier’s employees
Focus on Housing Solutions
GST relief on new homes could save 1st-time buyers up to $240 on mortgages
A new analysis says first-time Canadian homebuyers could save up to $240 on their monthly mortgage payments through the federal government’s proposal to waive the sales tax on new builds.
Desjardins Economics says in a new report that the impact on housing affordability will be “particularly strong” for buyers in Canada’s more expensive markets, like Toronto and Vancouver.
The Liberal government has tabled legislation to eliminate the GST portion from new home sales of up to $1 million for first-time buyers, which works out to as much as $50,000 off the cost of a new build or substantially renovated unit.
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.
