In this edition:
- Ontario budget to be tabled May 15
- New Hyatt hotel, retail and office complex coming to Niagara-on-the-Lake
- St. Catharines Downtown Association offers additional flowerpots to businesses
- $137,600 provincial grant strengthens volunteer capacity at Project SHARE
- Niagara-on-the-Lake ends temporary patio program for second time
- Trade Commissioner Service announces new resources to support Canadian exporters facing U.S. tariffs
- Ontario re-introduces municipal code of conduct legislation
- Loblaw still adding Canadian products but CEO says ‘Buy Canadian’ trend may not last
- Canadian Tire is bidding on Hudson’s Bay assets, according to sources
- Focus on Small Business
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Picture credit: Brad Demers / Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Ontario budget to be tabled May 15
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy will table Ontario’s budget on May 15, he announced Thursday.
The minister announced the date in question period in response to a question from PC MPP Tyler Allsopp.
Bethlenfalvy said the Doug Ford government has promised to “do whatever it needs to do to protect Ontario” from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and noted the $11 billion in deferred taxes and other supports the province has already announced.
Picture credit: Bolide Studio
New Hyatt hotel, retail and office complex coming to Niagara-on-the-Lake
Ground has been broken on an eight-acre mixed-use commercial development to be called Clayfield Commons at the gateway entrance to Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The project will include The Clayfield Hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, as well as a Foodland grocery store, 55,000 square feet of retail space and 28,000 square feet of office space.
Picture credit: St. Catharines Downtown Association
St. Catharines Downtown Association offers additional flowerpots to businesses
Due to high demand, the St. Catharines Downtown Association (SCDA)’s initial flower pot program has now reached capacity. In response, the SCDA has announced that additional pots have been made available.
Picture credit: Project SHARE
$137,600 provincial grant strengthens volunteer capacity at Project SHARE
Picture credit: Riku / Adobe Stock
Niagara-on-the-Lake ends temporary patio program for second time
Despite pleas from several restaurant owners to save the town’s temporary patio program, Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors have decided to end the popular initiative at the end of the year.
On Tuesday, councillors supported a reconsideration motion from Coun. Wendy Cheropita to reopen debate on the initiative that was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Picture credit: Виталий Сова / Adobe Stock
Trade Commissioner Service announces new resources to support Canadian exporters facing U.S. tariffs
As part of Canada’s ongoing support for Canadian businesses facing the unjustified tariffs imposed by the United States (U.S.), Global Affairs Canada announces the launch of new resources from the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) aimed at supporting Canadian exporters to help them benefit from the tariff-free treatment provided under the CUSMA.
Picture credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock
Ontario re-introduces municipal code of conduct legislation
Ontario is proposing changes through the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025 that would enable the creation of a new, standardized municipal code of conduct, an integrity commissioner inquiry process that would be consistent throughout the province and mandatory code of conduct training for members of council and certain local boards.
Photo credit: JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock
Loblaw still adding Canadian products but CEO says ‘Buy Canadian’ trend may not last
Loblaw Companies says it’s still working to stock its grocery store shelves with more Canadian products as shoppers look for local alternatives amidst the ongoing trade war with the U.S. but the company’s head says the shift may not last.
Photo credit: Kevin Brine / Adobe Stock
Canadian Tire is bidding on Hudson’s Bay assets, according to sources
Beleaguered retailer Hudson’s Bay has attracted a bid from Canadian Tire, two sources familiar with the sales process say.
The sources, who are not being named because they were not authorized to speak about the matter, say the household goods chain has made a bid for some of the faltering department store’s intellectual property.
Focus on Small Business
How to assess and select new suppliers for a more diverse supply chain
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.
