In this edition:
- Ontario to expand HST rebate program for new homes in partnership with Government of Canada
- Union president asks Canada Post workers to reject tentative agreement
- ‘Prices are probably going to continue to come down’: Rentals.ca releases February figures for Niagara
- Applications open for second round of Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grants
- Competition for vacant HBC site at Niagara Pen Centre: ‘It’s allowed us to be selective’
- Niagara’s paramedics vote 98% in favour of strike action
- Peace Bridge converts Nexus eGate booth to new staffed lane
- ‘Strong’ peak tourism season anticipated in Niagara Falls with World Cup, exchange rate favouring Americans
- EI claimants in Niagara up 4.7% year-over-year
- Apple Business launch brings maps ads to Canada
- Focus on Dining Trends
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Picture credit: Alisa Valetova / Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Mayor Siscoe outlines priorities at State of the City
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce was pleased to welcome members, community leaders, and stakeholders to this year’s State of the City event, where St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe shared updates on the city’s progress, priorities, and challenges ahead. The discussion highlighted key issues including housing, homelessness, infrastructure, economic development, and the importance of building a city that is both competitive and livable.
The event provided an important opportunity for the business community to hear directly from municipal leadership and to engage in a broader conversation about the future of St. Catharines.
Photo credit: Tinnakorn / Adobe Stock
Ontario to expand HST rebate program for new homes in partnership with Government of Canada
The Ontario government will remove the full 13 per cent of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) for eligible buyers of new homes valued up to $1 million, for a maximum rebate of $130,000, as part of the upcoming 2026 Budget. This maximum rebate of $130,000 would be maintained for new homes valued up to $1.5 million, and would decrease proportionally from $130,000 at $1.5 million to a maximum of $24,000 for homes valued at $1.85 million and above.
The federal government has agreed to cost-share with Ontario in support of provincial housing initiatives, subject to passage of federal legislation, which would approximately cover the federal five per cent portion of the HST that is being removed from new homes in Ontario.
Photo credit: Jerome / Adobe Stock
Union president asks Canada Post workers to reject tentative agreement
The head of the union representing 55,000 Canada Post workers is calling for the employees to reject a tentative contract agreement in a vote this spring, even though a majority of the national executive board recommend that the deal be accepted.
Picture credit: Blacqbook / Adobe Stock
‘Prices are probably going to continue to come down’: Rentals.ca releases February figures for Niagara
As rental prices across the country continue to fall, the latest report from Rentals.ca suggests Niagara’s three largest markets are reflecting similar trends.
Larger rental units in Niagara Falls did see the steepest yearly decline in February.
Picture credit: Rafa Jodar / Adobe Stock
Applications open for second round of Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grants
The Ontario government is investing $2.25 million to protect, strengthen and expand access to inclusive, barrier free community spaces across the province. Ontario has opened applications for the second round of the Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant, which awards up to $60,000 for small capital projects that improve accessibility and support active, healthy lifestyles for people with disabilities and older adults.
Picture credit: The Pen Centre
Competition for vacant HBC site at Niagara Pen Centre: ‘It’s allowed us to be selective’
While the vast majority of former Hudson Bay storefronts across Canada sit quietly empty, the two-storey retail unit inside Niagara Pen Centre has become a rare commodity — attracting a surge of interest that caught even its owners by surprise.
And turning the HBC vacancy into a competitive race for the space.
Picture credit: LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS / Adobe Stock
Niagara’s paramedics vote 98% in favour of strike action
CUPE 911, which represents Niagara’s paramedics, dispatchers and occupational therapists, says 98 per cent of its members voted to strike if a deal can’t be reached with the Region.
CUPE Local 911 President David Barnett says improvements are needed to their contract, including mental health benefits for part-time paramedics, who are not currently entitled to coverage.
Picture credit: Óðinn / CC BY-SA 3.0
Peace Bridge converts Nexus eGate booth to new staffed lane
A dedicated Nexus eGate booth at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie has been converted to a standard staffed crossing as of March 24, but the bridge authority’s chief executive says the booth had already been out of service for months before the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the change.
Picture credit: Niagara Parks
‘Strong’ peak tourism season anticipated in Niagara Falls with World Cup, exchange rate favouring Americans
While keeping an eye on geopolitical tensions and high gas prices, tourism stakeholders are expressing “cautious optimism” about strong summer visitation to Niagara Falls.
“We’re looking forward to a strong season coming up because of our new experiences like Niagara Takes Flight,” said Niagara Parks chief executive officer David Adames.
Picture credit: snowing12 / Adobe Stock
EI claimants in Niagara up 4.7% year-over-year
The number of EI claimants in the St. Catharines-Niagara CMA was up 4.7% in January 2026 compared to the previous year, representing an additional 290 people. The increase was markedly less than the national trend, which saw a 13.4% increase.
Data from the Labour Force Survey indicate that the unemployment rate was 6.5% in January 2026. The unemployment rate trended up through most of 2025, reaching a recent high of 7.1% in August and September.
Picture credit: Apple Inc.
Apple Business launch brings maps ads to Canada
Apple Inc. has unveiled a new all-in-one solution aimed at simplifying how companies manage operations while expanding their reach to customers, introducing the Apple Business platform ahead of its April 14 global rollout. The announcement signals a notable evolution in how businesses, including retailers, can integrate technology, marketing, and operations within a single ecosystem.
Focus on Dining Trends
Restaurant merch becoming increasingly more popular
Mario Toneguzzi, 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.
