In this edition:
- 610 CKTB’s Tim Denis receives award at State of the Region following retirement announcement
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Town Council approves 2024 operating budget
- Municipalities must prepare for Niagara Health’s big change in 2028, says its CEO
- Ontario deficit ballooning to $9.8B next year amid slow economic growth
- Cisco study shows that few organizations in Canada are prepared to defend against cyber attacks
- Focus on Climate
610 CKTB’s Tim Denis receives award at State of the Region following retirement announcement
A big day for 610 CKTB’s Tim Denis.
Denis, who has hosted Niagara in the Morning for 29 years, announced his retirement this morning after a successful 47-year broadcasting career.
He was honoured today at Niagara’s State of the Region event, receiving the Community Leader Award.
Other award winners include Strong Water Singers, Mark Basciano, Valentina Agudo Chacon, The Pie Guys, and Liz Benneian.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Town Council approves 2024 operating budget
At the March 26, 2024, Special Council Meeting, Niagara-on-the-Lake Town Council approved the 2024 Operating Budget at $48.5M, an increase of 6.75% (or $1,010,156) from the 2023 Operating Budget (after consideration of assessment growth of .90%).
The Operating Budget allocates funds to maintain the day-to-day functions of the Town and establishes the tax rate. It primarily covers expenses related to recreation programs, parks, fire services, planning and development, administrative services, road and sidewalk maintenance, winter operations, library services, and other similar costs.
PM announces highlights from upcoming federal budget
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced measures from the upcoming Budget 2024 which aim to make the playing field fairer for renters and make it easier for them to become homeowners.
These measures include:
- Launching a new $15 million Tenant Protection Fund.
- Creating a new Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights, developed and implemented in partnership with provinces and territories.
- Making sure renters get credit for on-time rent payments.
Municipalities must prepare for Niagara Health’s big change in 2028, says its CEO
Changes will take effect at local hospitals long before Niagara Health’s plans for a three-site model become a reality in 2028.
While construction of the new hospital in Niagara Falls continues, Niagara Health president and chief executive officer Lynn Guerriero said hospital system is building its staffing strategy.
“There’s so much going on … There are a lot of moving pieces, so it’s really important for us to change those operational practices and the team cultures, years before the change,” she said.
Ontario deficit ballooning to $9.8B next year amid slow economic growth
Ontario is delaying its path to balance as lethargic economic growth drags the province’s books further into the red, with a $9.8-billion budget deficit projected for the coming fiscal year.
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy acknowledged the challenging economic times Tuesday, saying life has rarely been this expensive, though his budget contains few new affordability measures.
“The pressure of managing a government budget pales in comparison to the pressures many families are facing as they manage their family budget in a time when everything is costing more,” Bethlenfalvy told the legislature.
Cisco study shows that few organizations in Canada are prepared to defend against cyber attacks
Only one per cent of organizations in Canada have the ‘Mature’ level of readiness needed to be resilient against modern cybersecurity risks, according to Cisco’s 2024 Cybersecurity Readiness Index.
The 2024 Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index was developed in an era defined by hyperconnectivity and a rapidly evolving threat landscape. Companies today continue to be targeted with a variety of techniques that range from phishing and ransomware to supply chain and social engineering attacks. And while they are building defenses against these attacks, they still struggle to defend against them, slowed down by their own overly complex security postures that are dominated by multiple point solutions.
Did you know?
In 1850, Great Britain produced 50% of the world’s iron.
Focus on Climate
Climate change expected to drive shifts in urban birds, animals, bugs
A study suggests climate change will drive a massive shift in the birds, bugs and other critters that live alongside humans in 60 cities across North America.
The good news in the newly published paper is that under warming temperatures, cities with temperate climates like those in Canada could welcome new animals.
By the end of the century, cities such as Ottawa and Edmonton could become hospitable for hundreds of new species while losing habitat for a couple dozen.
The bad news is that the species most likely to benefit from the changes are insects.
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.
