In this edition:
- All Ontarians aged 12+ eligible for bivalent booster
- U.S. holding Nexus trusted-traveller program ‘hostage,’ Canada’s ambassador says
- $5 million donation to new South Niagara hospital
- Canada’s small businesses optimistic about growth despite recession fears: survey
- Budget officer projects considerably slower economy, declining federal deficit
All Ontarians aged 12+ eligible for bivalent booster
With Health Canada approval of the Pfizer bivalent vaccine, everyone aged 12 and over is eligible to get a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose starting Monday, October 17 if they have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series. The Ontario government is reminding people to stay up-to-date with their vaccines as we enter respiratory illness season.
It is also important to get your annual flu shot. Starting November 1, flu shots will be available through your health care provider, public health unit and in participating pharmacies. Flu shots may safely be given at the same time, or at any time before or after COVID-19 vaccine, for individuals aged five years and older. Find out more at ontario.ca/flu.
U.S. holding Nexus trusted-traveller program ‘hostage,’ Canada’s ambassador says
Canada’s envoy to the United States says the cross-border Nexus trusted-traveller program is being “held hostage” by a U.S. effort to renegotiate the 20-year-old agreement.
Kirsten Hillman made the comments at a daylong summit on Canada-U.S. border issues taking place at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The 13 enrollment centres in Canada, jointly staffed by Canadian and U.S. officers, remain closed amid a dispute over legal protections for the U.S. preclearance officers who work there.
$5 million donation to new South Niagara hospital
The Niagara Health Foundation is celebrating another big donation to the new South Niagara Site of Niagara Health. The foundation announced that they have received a $5 million donation from the Oakes family towards the new facility.
In recognition the main entrance of the hospital will be named “The Oakes Family Main Entrance.”
Canada’s small businesses optimistic about growth despite recession fears: survey
A new KPMG survey has found Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses are banking on strong growth in the next three years, even as a possible economic downturn remains top of mind in the near term.
The survey of 503 small and medium-sized businesses says 83 per cent are feeling optimistic about their growth over the next few years, with 82 per cent saying they feel confident about their industry.
Budget officer projects considerably slower economy, declining federal deficit
The parliamentary budget officer is projecting the economy will slow considerably in the second half of 2022 and remain weak next year as the Bank of Canada continues to raise interest rates.
In his latest economic and fiscal outlook, budget watchdog Yves Giroux says he expects the Bank of Canada to raise its key interest rate to four per cent by the end of the year, a move which is in line with financial markets’ expectations.
Economists are anticipating an economic slowdown as higher interest rates slow spending by people and businesses.
Niagara Economic Summit
Ryan Mounsey to discuss how Waterloo innovates in solving housing problems and what Niagara could learn
Facing the same housing issues as other regions, Waterloo Region has led the charge with new solutions, including the Affordable Housing Innovation Lab and Evergreen’s Future City Builder Program. Waterloo has brought developers to the table to explore and build housing that suits everyone’s needs.
At the Niagara Economic Summit, Ryan Mounsey, Supervisor of Economic of Development at the Region and a member of the Affordable Housing and Homelessness Core Team, will talk about how Waterloo used these tools and more, and what Niagara could learn. Ryan’s experience in planning, urban design, and economic development give him a multi-dimensional view from the problem, and an outsider’s perspective to Niagara’s housing crisis.
Click here for tickets to this year’s Niagara Economic Summit.
Focus on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Equity, diversity and inclusion learning path for executives
As a leader, you are in a unique position to shape your organization and build a stronger public service. You can demonstrate your commitment to workplace equity and values around diversity and inclusion by using the anti-racist tools and practices available to you and by applying the principles of GBA Plus, positive spaces, and accessibility.
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.
