In this edition:
- Seven Niagara non-profits among recipients of latest Trillium Foundation grants
- Governments of Canada and Ontario partner on new tariff-impacted worker support program
- Niagara College ‘raises the steaks’ with butchery program to meet surging demand
- Niagara Parks seeks applications for 2026 summer entertainment
- Ontario to table budget on March 26
- Plan to consolidate conservation authorities moves to next step
- Canadian companies should take action before CUSMA review, report says
- Equifax Canada data shows credit stress building for some SMEs
- Focus on Finance & Economy
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Picture credit: Government of Ontario
Seven Niagara non-profits among recipients of latest Trillium Foundation grants
Over $47.5 million in Grow grants was announced today by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, supporting 153 non-profit organizations, First Nations, and small municipalities to strengthen and expand programs and services across Ontario.T
The local recipients included Thorold Community Activities Group, Hospice Niagara, AgScape, Willow Arts Community, the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara, GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, and Bridges Niagara Immigrant and Refugee Services.
Picture credit: Thongdee / Adobe Stock
Governments of Canada and Ontario partner on new tariff-impacted worker support program
The Canada–Ontario Workforce Tariff Response will deliver $228.8 million over three years, through the Canada–Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA), to support workers in the softwood lumber, steel and automotive sectors, as well as other directly and indirectly tariff-affected industries. The program was announced today by the governments of Canada and Ontario.
As part of this initiative, Ontario will deliver targeted programs through Skills Advance Ontario (SAO.
Applications for the Skills Advance Ontario program are open and will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Employers and employment and training service providers can submit their project proposals at https://www.ontario.ca/page/skills-advance-ontario-sao.
Picture credit: Niagara College
Niagara College ‘raises the steaks’ with butchery program to meet surging demand
Top butchers in Canada are praising Niagara College’s recently announced artisanal butchery program poised to help fill high demand in Ontario.
A one-year certificate program, Professional Butchery Techniques will welcome its first intake of students in September 2026, aimed at those interested in expanding their chef expertise or those exploring a trending artisanal craft for the first time.
Picture credit: Niagara Parks
Niagara Parks seeks applications for 2026 summer entertainment
Niagara Parks is looking for a variety of bands, solo artists and other types of family-friendly entertainers to perform this summer in the Queen Victoria Park area.
Free outdoor events hosted by Niagara Parks provide an excellent opportunity for visitors and residents alike to experience live, family-friendly entertainment against the unforgettable backdrop of Niagara Falls.
For more information and to apply, visit niagaraparks.com/performance-application.
Picture credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock
Ontario to table budget on March 26
Ontario will table its 2026 budget on March 26, the first Thursday of the government’s delayed legislative sitting.
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy made the announcement in a speech to the Empire Club of Canada in Toronto on Tuesday, saying that the fiscal plan will put the province “in a strong position to weather economic shocks.”
Picture credit: Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
Plan to consolidate conservation authorities moves to next step
The Ontario government is taking the next step to improve the province’s conservation authority system with its plan to create nine regional conservation authorities.
Ontario’s current system includes 36 independent conservation authorities with varying policies, processes and capacity, which, the government states, has created a fragmented system with inconsistent standards and timelines.
Picture credit: Óðinn / CC BY-SA 3.0
Canadian companies should take action before CUSMA review, report says
A new report from Boston Consulting Group outlines ways Canadian companies can prepare for the coming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.
The report says that despite moves by the U.S. to impose higher duties on some Canadian and Mexican products, North American trade has remained relatively strong, with about 60 per cent of goods imported from those countries into the U.S. remaining duty-free.
Picture credit: Andrey Popov / Adobe Stock
Equifax Canada data shows credit stress building for some SMEs
New Equifax Canada data shows financial trade delinquencies have reportedly risen 9.02 per cent year-over-year in Q4 2025 to 3.52 per cent nationally, even as industrial trade delinquencies reportedly fell by 25.52 per cent to 4.65 per cent. At the same time, the Canadian Small Business Health Index declined 2.4 per cent year-over-year, signalling weakening resilience as debt loads climb and credit stress becomes more concentrated, according to Equifax Canada.
Focus on Finance & Economy
Péladeau loses bid to remake Transat’s board
Eric Atkins, The Globe & Mail
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.
