In this edition:
- Ontario rewards St. Catharines with $2.3M for progress toward 2023 housing targets
- Government of Canada caps excise tax excalator at 2%
- Niagara Health Knowledge Institute launches scholarships with Brock, Niagara College
- Niagara River Lions community suite applications open
- Cogeco announces Frédéric Perron as President and CEO; Philippe Jetté to retire
- Oral health providers can now sign up to participate in the Canadian Dental Care Plan
- Two-thirds of Ontario contractors optimistic for 2024
- Mental Health Commission launches new workplace psychological safety program
- FSRA finalizes guidance on financial penalties for those who do not follow the rules
- Focus on Health & Safety
Ontario rewards St. Catharines with more than $2.3M for progress toward 2023 housing targets
Today, Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced Ontario will be providing St. Catharines with $2,355,390 in funding through the Building Faster Fund as the city made substantial progress towards its 2023 housing target, breaking ground on a total of 648 new housing units last year.
Government of Canada caps excise tax excalator at 2%
Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, announced that the federal government is delivering thousands of dollars in alcohol excise duty relief to Canadian businesses, particularly local craft breweries.
The government is proposing to:
- For two additional years, cap the inflation adjustment at two per cent for beer, spirit, and wine excise duties; and,
- For two years, cut by half the excise duty rate on the first 15,000 hectolitres of beer brewed in Canada, to provide the typical craft brewery with up to $86,952 in additional tax relief in 2024-25.
Niagara Health Knowledge Institute launches research scholarships with Brock University, Niagara College
Two Niagara post-secondary students will spend their summers advancing critical healthcare research that could change standards of practice, thanks to unique partnerships between the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute (NHKI), Brock University and Niagara College.
NHKI has partnered with both educational institutions to co-fund two new scholarships, worth $10,000 each, to enable a Brock and Niagara College undergraduate student enrolled in a health-related program to participate in research-focused placements at the NHKI for 12 weeks between May and August.
Niagara River Lions community suite applications open
The City of St. Catharines is once again making the City’s community suite available at the Meridian Centre so charities and groups can cheer on the Niagara River Lions basketball team.
Registered charities, local non-profits and youth sport organizations are invited to apply to the Meridian Centre Community Use Program. Successful organizations will receive 12 River Lions home game tickets to access the City’s suite at the Meridian Centre.
Cogeco announces Frédéric Perron as President and CEO; Philippe Jetté to retire
The Boards of Directors of Cogeco Inc. and of Cogeco Communications Inc. announced today that they have appointed Frédéric Perron as President and Chief Executive Officer and Director of both companies, effective immediately, succeeding Philippe Jetté who is retiring.
Mr. Perron previously held the position of President of Cogeco Connexion, Cogeco’s Canadian broadband business. Jetté will serve as a strategic advisor to the incoming CEO and Boards of Directors until August 31, 2024.
Oral health providers can now sign up to participate in the Canadian Dental Care Plan
Starting today, oral health providers can confirm their participation in the CDCP through the Sun Life portal. In choosing to participate in the CDCP, oral health care providers are playing an important role in advancing more equitable access to oral health care and towards improving health outcomes in Canada. Resources and tools on how to assist and inform their patients about the CDCP will be provided to the oral health professional community.
Two-thirds of Ontario contractors optimistic for 2024
The Ontario Construction Secretariat’s 2024 Contractors Survey indicates fewer ICI contractors than last year have a positive outlook for the upcoming year but OCS director of research Katherine Jacobs suggests there’s still significant optimism with lots of work in the marketplace.
The survey was released at the OCS’s annual State of the Industry and Outlook Conference held in Toronto March 7. Two-thirds (66 per cent) of contractors are feeling positive, down from 81 per cent in last year’s survey.
Mental Health Commission of Canada launches new program to promote workplace psychological safety
Employers who want to foster a psychologically safe workplace are getting more support from the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).
It’s developing what it calls an “innovative new program” that will support employers, it said, thanks to $820,000 in funding over three years from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
The project will be led by Opening Minds, the training arm of the MHCC that has developed evidence-based programs promoting wellness and mental health resilience and reducing the associated stigma.
FSRA finalizes guidance on financial penalties for those who do not follow the rules or break the law
Ontario’s financial services regulator (FSRA) is releasing final guidance to ensure its use of general Administrative Monetary Penalties is measured, proportionate and protects Ontario consumers.
The guidance explains how FSRA interprets and applies the law when general Administrative Monetary Penalties are imposed and how the appropriate penalty amounts are determined.
Did you know?
Focus on Health & Safety
The use of augmented reality in health and safety training
Propelled by innovative technologies that promise to enhance efficiency and knowledge transfer, workplace health and safety training is undergoing a transformation.
Manufacturers are looking to immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools to equip their teams with consistent and effective health and safety training.
Hands-on safety training significantly improves understanding and retention of training information. In the past, this was only achievable through costly on-site training.
Today, AR and VR training immerses workers in simulations of real-world situations where they can practice and apply the most complex safety procedures from anywhere. This results in efficiencies and cost reductions for some employers—with stunning improvements in results compared to traditional methods.
Take action to prevent repetitive strain injuries: CCOHS
Work that requires the continual repetition of movements, such as lifting, typing or twisting, can potentially lead to an RSI, states a CCOHS release.
These injuries develop slowly over time and can be painful and debilitating, affecting the tendons, muscles, nerves and joints in the back, shoulder, neck, hands, arms and other parts of the body.
According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada National Work Injury, Disease and Fatality Statistics report, there were 10,211 accepted lost-time injuries due to musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases and disorders in Canada in 2022. That was up 2.5 per cent from 2021.
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.
