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Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Daily Update: November 5, 2024

In this edition:

  • Dr. Deborah Rosati on next episode of Espresso Live: From the Corner Office
  • Buyers “coming off the sidelines” in Niagara real estate market
  • Future of 226 Lockhart Dr. in St. Catharines to be discussed at public meeting
  • Greg Maychak elected Ward 3 Councillor in West Lincoln
  • New electricity line to help power growth in south Niagara
  • Ontario making GO Transit free for veterans, members of Canadian Armed Forces
  • Development at Hamilton airport breaks ground
  • B.C. ports frozen amid labour dispute
  • Focus on Technology

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A house for sale

Photo credit: Jaruwan photo / Adobe Stock

Buyers “coming off the sidelines” in Niagara real estate market

In October, the Niagara Association of REALTORS® listed 1274 residential properties compared to 1207 in October 2023. The average days it took to sell a home in October 2024 was 43 days, a 16.2 % increase from October 2023.

“With the amount of sales increasing 43% from last October, it’s a good indicator that… buyers are definitely coming off the sidelines,” said Niagara Association of REALTORS® President Nathan Morrissette.

Click here to read more.


A picture of 226 Lockhart Drive, St. Catharines, taken from Google Streetview

Photo credit: Google

Future of 226 Lockhart Dr. in St. Catharines to be discussed at public meeting

A pubic meeting will be held in St. Catharines to discuss future plans for 226 Lockhart Drive.

The city has been asked to change the designation of the property to ‘Medium Density Residential’ from ‘Low Density Residential’.


A headshot of West Lincoln Ward 3 Councillor Greg Maychak, a middle-aged, clean-shaven white man wearing a black polo shirt

Photo credit: Greg Maychak

Greg Maychak elected Ward 3 Councillor in West Lincoln

Greg Maychak has been elected to serve as a Ward 3 Councillor for the remainder of the 2022-2026 term of Council after the results from West Lincoln’s 2024 Municipal By-election were certified by the Township Clerk. Maychak will be sworn into office at the November 25 Council meeting.

West Lincoln’s latest Ward 3 By-election saw a significant increase in turnout when compared to its last Ward 3 By-election, with 27.76% of voters casting ballots in 2024 compared to 16.54% in 2016.

Click here to read more.


A high-voltage power substation

Photo credit: digidreamgrafix / Adobe Stock

New electricity line to help power growth in south Niagara

A new transmission line between Welland and Thorold is needed to meet projected demand for electricity as growth continues in Thorold and south Niagara, a spokesperson for Hydro One says.

The new line is Hydro One’s response to an expected 20 percent increase in demand for electricity by 2032. Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has recommended that the new transmission line come into service no later than 2029.

Click here to read more.


The side of a GO train passenger carriage at a station

Photo credit: Reimar / Adobe Stock

Ontario making GO Transit free for veterans, members of Canadian Armed Forces

Veterans and current full-time members of the Canadian Armed Forces will soon be able to ride GO Transit for free.

Ontario’s minister of children, community and social services made the announcement Tuesday, saying the province is introducing a transit relief program for them that will begin March 1, 2025.

Click here to read more.


A 3D rendering of an aerial view of the new facility under construction at Hamilton Airport, a large, square, grey building surrounded by tarmac

Image credit: Biddle Carson Developments

Development at Hamilton airport breaks ground

Construction plans for a new, $15-million, 100,000-square-foot facility at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport have been unveiled.

The multi-use, fixed-base operator (FBO) facility will be located at the airport’s northeast end and will feature three separate state-of-the-art hangars, designed to incorporate an array of services from a lounge and conference room to a second-floor observation deck for viewing aircraft arrivals and departures.

Click here to read more.


A container ship docked at the Port of Vancouver with a row of orange cranes behind it and the city skyline in the background

Photo credit: Rob Atkins / Adobe Stock

B.C. ports frozen amid labour dispute

A major trade artery was shut down on Monday when employers locked out more than 700 foremen at ports across British Columbia, sparking fears across the country for Canada’s supply chain.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce called on the Government of Canada to resolve the dispute, saying that the stoppage “only further tarnishes Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner and stable place to do business.”

Click here to read more.


Did you know?

Los Angeles County has sued Coca-Cola and PepsiCo for misleading the public over the recyclability of their plastic bottles.


Focus on Technology

What’s next for Walmart’s tech?

Retailers seem to have one eye on Walmart and the other eye on the rest of the competition, and for good reason.

From a tech perspective, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer spent most of this year making headlines, including turning a Sam’s Club store in the Dallas-Fort Worth area cashier-less, investing in digital shelf labels, and setting up a pay-by-bank system for customers.

But what’s ahead? How will Walmart orient itself from a tech perspective in 2025?

Click here to read more.


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.


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