In this edition:
- Bob Gale resigns as Regional Chair
- Air Canada luxury motorcoach service to connect Niagara travelers to Toronto Pearson
- United Way Niagara announces $5 million dollar campaign achievement
- City of Welland Council approves funding strategy for South Niagara Hospital
- Fort Erie sees early success with Climate Action Plan
- Both residential and non-residential building permits climb with industrial construction leading gains
- Sobeys parent company Empire reports $385M Q3 loss, sales up from year ago
- Canadian trade deficit widens from $1.3B to $3.6B as exports drop
- Gas prices in Canada: Ontario drivers see steepest price hikes amid roiling oil market
- Focus on Retail
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Tour Operators are responding to this trend with offerings such as:
Women Only – Cultural Connections
In certain destinations, all-women departures allow access to conversations and spaces not typically available to mixed groups — creating deeper cultural understanding while supporting women-owned businesses.
Local Living Tours
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Rediscover Travel
A Community for Widows and Widowers who are ready to explore again and would like to do so in a group of like-minded individuals.
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If you are considering travel in the coming year, I would be pleased to help you design an experience that leaves a lasting, indelible mark.
Featured content by Indelible Mark Travel
Picture credit: Regional Municipality of Niagara
Bob Gale resigns as Regional Chair
Bob Gale has submitted his resignation as Niagara Regional Chair to the Province of Ontario effective immediately.
Gale abruptly resigned just hours after anti-racism groups in Niagara called on him to apologize for owning a signed copy of Adolf Hitler’s manifesto.
The Region’s Bylaw to Appoint an Acting Chair outlines how temporary absences in the Chair’s Office are handled. This includes a rotating list of acting Chairs, who can attend to all Regional Chair duties and ensure uninterrupted regional activities. Lincoln Councillor Rob Foster will serve as Acting Regional Chair for the remainder of the month of March.
Picture credit: City of Niagara Falls
Air Canada luxury motorcoach service to connect Niagara travelers to Toronto Pearson
Beginning June 15, 2026, Air Canada and The Landline Company will provide a direct connection between Niagara District Airport (YCM) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) via luxury motorcoach service.
Picture credit: United Way Niagara
United Way Niagara announces $5 million dollar campaign achievement
As another fundraising campaign draws to a close, United Way Niagara announced a five-million-dollar campaign achievement at the annual Campaign Celebration Breakfast. United Way Niagara is grateful to the donors, volunteers, labour partners and funded agencies that continue to come together to make a united impact on the lives of people in need throughout the region.
Picture credit: Niagara Health System
City of Welland Council approves funding strategy for South Niagara Hospital
Welland City Council has approved a funding strategy to meet the City’s $17.8 million local share commitment toward the South Niagara Hospital project.
Council first confirmed Welland’s financial commitment during its February 10 meeting, approving a report that formalized the City’s participation in the project and directing staff to return with a multi-year funding strategy.
Picture credit: OMEGA / Adobe Stock
Fort Erie sees early success with Climate Action Plan
The Town of Fort Erie continues to advance its Climate Change Action Plan. It received two environmental grants from the Niagara Community Foundation (NCF) for community projects that will help protect local wildlife, support biodiversity, and expand green space for residents to enjoy.
The first grant provides $13,000 to support a Pollinator Meadow and Naturalization Project at the future park located at the corner of Thunder Bay Road and Butlers Drive.
Photo credit: Francesco Scatena / Adobe Stock
Both residential and non-residential building permits climb with industrial construction leading gains
In January, the total value of building permits issued in Canada increased $607.0 million (+4.8%) to $13.3 billion. The increase was led by the non-residential sector (+$464.0 million) and supported by the residential sector (+$143.0 million).
Non-residential construction intentions rose 9.4% to $5.4 billion in January. The industrial component (+$356.8 million to $1.2 billion) drove the monthly increase, marking the largest month-over-month growth since July 2024.
Picture credit: Prashanth Bala / Adobe Stock
Sobeys parent company Empire reports $385M Q3 loss, sales up from year ago
Empire Co. Ltd. reported a loss of $385 million in its latest quarter, hit by one-time costs related to the closing of its Voilà grocery delivery facilities in Alberta and pausing the online service’s expansion in the Vancouver area.
Photo credit: Rob Atkins / Adobe Stock
Canadian trade deficit widens from $1.3B to $3.6B as exports drop
In January, Canada’s merchandise exports decreased 4.7%, while imports were down 1.1%. As a result, Canada’s merchandise trade deficit with the world widened from $1.3 billion in December to $3.6 billion in January.
Photo credit: Kate / Adobe Stock
Gas prices in Canada: Ontario drivers see steepest price hikes amid roiling oil market
Gas prices in Ontario have climbed the most among Canada’s provinces since the joint U.S.-Israel strike that killed Iran’s leader. The ongoing conflict has created historic volatility for the global energy market, including at retail fuel pumps.
Focus on Retail
AI-driven fraud scams impact Canadian retail, Interac says
Craig Patterson, Retail Insider
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.
