In this edition:
- Niagara’s Walker Industries launches largest renewable natural gas from landfill project in Ontario
- Fallsview Casino opens new sports lounge
- Mastermind Toys granted creditor protection, plans to close stores
- Algoma Central Corporation named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for the second year in a row
- Government of Canada announces an additional $6 million to protect Fort Mississauga National Historic Site
- Niagara Region approves zero-budget increase for waste management
- Town of Grimsby’s downtown reimagined study
- Brock named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for sixth time
- Retail sales up by 0.6 per cent in September, StatsCan says
- Canada wins major victory as trade panel says dairy quotas don’t limit U.S. access
- Focus on Technology
Niagara’s Walker Industries launches largest renewable natural gas from landfill project in Ontario
Walker Industries has launched a new $42-million plant that converts landfill gas into clean energy.
The Niagara Falls site, described as the largest of its kind in Ontario, will capture landfill gas from decomposing organic waste, clean it and transform it into renewable natural gas.
It’s expected to generate enough green energy to heat 8,750 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 48,000 tonnes every year — equivalent to taking more than 10,300 cars off the roads each year.
The Thorold Townline Road project is a partnership between Walker Industries, landfill gas specialist Comcor Environmental and Enbridge Gas Inc.
Fallsview Casino opens new sports lounge
The Fallsview Casino resort has launched their new sport lounge. The Overtime Sports Lounge includes 1,500 square feet of HDTV screens, 260-seats and an 80-foot bar that accesses both the restaurant and the gaming floor.
Richard Taylor, President of Niagara Casinos, says, “There’s watching a game, and then there’s watching a game at OVERTIME Sports Lounge. We have created an immersive and exhilarating environment that will take the sports viewing experience to a whole new level.”
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Mastermind Toys granted creditor protection, plans to close stores
Canadian toy retailer Mastermind Toys has been granted protection from its creditors as it plans to close stores and liquidate inventory, and as it explores “strategic alternatives” to keep some of its stores afloat under a new owner.
The Toronto-based Mastermind LP, which operates 66 stores across Canada, is owned by Canadian private equity firm Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc. Mastermind had been losing money for several years, according to court documents filed this week. The company has now run out of cash to pay its vendors, and a potential deal to sell the business recently fell through.
Algoma Central Corporation named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for the second year in a row
Algoma Central Corporation is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for 2024. The Award recognizes Algoma’s dedication to providing an environment where employees can thrive and reach their full potential. This will be the second year in a row Algoma has achieved this special recognition and highlights our continued commitment to creating an exceptional workplace, fostering a culture of inclusivity, investing in employees’ well-being, and developing our workforce for the future.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive the Top Employer Award again this year,” said Gregg Ruhl, President and CEO of Algoma Central Corporation. “This recognition stands as a testament of our ongoing efforts to recognize and value our exceptional employees by providing them with a workplace that supports their development and well-being. Their hard work and dedication fuels our commitment to investing in our team, propelling progress, and ensuring Algoma remains an outstanding place to work and the Marine Carrier of Choice,” continued Mr. Ruhl.
Government of Canada announces an additional $6 million to protect Fort Mississauga National Historic Site
Today in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Vance Badeway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, and Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced approximately $6 million for the protection of the cultural value of Fort Mississauga National Historic Site through the final phase of a break wall installation along the eastern portion of the site on the shores of Lake Ontario.
As part of the $557 million in infrastructure funding announced by the Government of Canada in November 2022, this investment will support construction of a new 500-metre section of break wall to combat shoreline erosion near the mouth of the Niagara River. Caused in part by more frequent and severe storm events and high-water levels due to climate change occurring on the Great Lakes, this final phase of shoreline protection will conserve the cultural heritage of the east bank of Fort Mississauga National Historic Site. These measures will ensure public safety, safeguard historic artifacts along the property, and protect Parks Canada administered lands leased by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club.
Niagara Region approves zero-budget increase for waste management
Niagara Region Budget Review Committee of the Whole approved a zero-budget increase for waste management services. As a result, most residents will see a decrease in their waste management special levy because some of the cost will be covered by assessment growth.
The gross waste management budget for 2024 is $51.5 million with the net recoverable from taxpayers of $45.2 million, the same as in 2023.
Town of Grimsby’s Downtown Reimagined study
The Town of Grimsby will be hosting a public information meeting to gather input and feedback regarding the Town of Grimsby’s Downtown Reimagined study. This session is one of the final steps towards the development of a vision for the Downtown public realm.
Public input has been a crucial component in the development of the overall vision to date, and as this is a community driven study, the team is seeking to gather additional insight from businesses, residents and visitors of the Downtown core.
A public meeting will take place on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Grimsby Fire Station 2 (167 Mountain Rd).
Brock named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for sixth time
Brock University has been named one of the Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for 2024.
Having been selected in every year it has applied, this is the sixth time and fourth consecutive year that Brock has been recognized in the annual competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, which is now in its 16th year.
Brock President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg says the designation is validation of Brock’s reputation as an exceptional place to work.
“Brock’s community spirit, opportunities for growth and shared sense of purpose make it a fulfilling place to work,” she says. “We are able to offer a world-class educational experience because we are able to attract outstanding faculty, staff and librarians who are dedicated to supporting student success.”
Retail sales up by 0.6 per cent in September, StatsCan says
Retail sales increased 0.6 per cent to $66.5 billion in September, Statistics Canada announced Friday, a better result than the agency expected.
Statistics Canada also says its early estimates suggest retail sales increased 0.8 per cent in October, though it cautioned the estimates would be revised.
Four of the nine subsectors that Statistics Canada tracks noted sales were up, including a 1.5 per cent increase at motor vehicle parts dealers that was led by a 2.4 per cent gain at new car dealers. Used car dealers dropped by two per cent.
Canada wins major victory as trade panel says dairy quotas don’t limit U.S. access
Canada’s dairy import quotas don’t unfairly limit access for United States producers, according to a panel ruling under North America’s trade pact, marking a major victory for a Canadian sector long accused of protectionism.
A majority of the dispute-settlement panel members found that the quotas aren’t inconsistent with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, ruling against all of the American arguments against Canada’s restrictive system.
Did you know?
There are 30,000 hectares of vineyard land in Canada. 5,500 hectares are in Niagara.
Focus on Technology
‘Huge egos are in play’: behind the firing and rehiring of OpenAI’s Sam Altman
Dan Milmo; The Guardian
OpenAI’s messy firing and rehiring of its powerful chief executive this week shocked the tech world. But the power struggle has implications beyond the company’s boardroom, AI experts said. It throws into relief the greenness of the AI industry and the strong desire in Silicon Valley to be first and raises urgent questions about the safety of the technology.
“The AI that we’re looking at now is immature. There are no standards, no professional body, no certifications. Everybody figures out how to do it, figures out their own internal norms,” said Rayid Ghani, a professor of machine learning and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University. “The AI that gets built relies on a handful of people who built it, and the impact of these handfuls of people is disproportionate.”
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.
