In this edition:
- Government of Canada extends financial relief for companies impacted by tariffs
- Welland CAO Rob Axiak takes new role as City Manager for the City of Cambridge
- Major production shifts at Ontario automakers amid Trump trade war
- Grimsby extends application deadline for Heritage Property Grant Program
- Amazon to hike fulfillment fees in 2026
- Will Doug Ford’s government select Niagara’s next top municipal leader?
- Time to book: Niagara Sleep Cheap reservations start next week
- Town of Lincoln installs treaty signs across the community
- 26.8 million vehicles registered in Canada in 2024
- US tariffs projected to lower Ontario’s economic growth by 1.7%, says FAO
- Canada’s Housing Design Catalogue now locked, loaded and ready to build
- Focus on Finance & Economy
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Picture credit: freshidea / Adobe Stock
Government of Canada extends financial relief for companies impacted by tariffs
The Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, today announced relief to support Canadian businesses affected by the countermeasures Canada has announced in response to the tariffs imposed by the United States.
The Minister announced that:
- the current exemption for U.S. goods used in manufacturing, processing, or food and beverage packaging has been extended for an additional two months, and now includes goods used in agricultural production.
- the temporary exemption from tariffs on imports of U.S. goods that are used to support public health, health care, public safety and national security objectives has also been extended for an additional two months.
- In addition to these changes, further relief from Canada’s tariffs on imports from the U.S. and China have now been implemented for companies that met strict conditions such as demonstrating short supply or existing contractual obligations.
Picture credit: City of Welland
Welland CAO Rob Axiak takes new role as City Manager for the City of Cambridge
Chief Administrative Officer Rob Axiak has announced his departure from the City of Welland to become the new City Manager for the City of Cambridge, effective Tuesday, November 4, 2025. While his departure is a significant loss for Welland, it marks an exciting new chapter in his distinguished municipal career — and a proud moment for our community as one of our own takes on the top role in another growing Ontario city.
Picture credit: dizfoto1973 / Adobe Stock
Major production shifts at Ontario automakers amid Trump trade war
News this week that Stellantis would be moving some auto production from Canada to the U.S. is the latest development amid an ongoing trade war impacting Ontario’s manufacturing sector, especially for automotive assembly and parts manufacturing.
Below is a quick recap of some of the major production starts, stops, changes and pivots since tariff policies were imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year. Some of the changes were already planned even before Trump took office.
Photo credit: Town of Grimsby
Grimsby extends application deadline for Heritage Property Grant Program
The Town of Grimsby has extended the Heritage Property Grant Program application intake period to provide property owners more time to complete application requirements.
Designated Property owners can apply for matching grants to help maintain heritage sites with funding up to $5,000 available.
Picture credit: wolterke / Adobe Stock
Amazon to hike fulfillment fees in 2026
Amazon will increase its fulfillment fees for third-party sellers by an average of $0.08 per unit sold starting Jan. 15, 2026, the e-commerce giant announced Wednesday as part of a slate of pricing changes.
Increases for fees tied to the e-commerce giant’s Fulfillment by Amazon service vary by product price and size.
Picture credit: Regional Municipality of Niagara
Will Doug Ford’s government select Niagara’s next top municipal leader?
You could call it a $1.02-billion question: who is going to be Niagara’s next regional chair?
The billion-dollar figure represents Niagara Region’s 2025 net budget, which the chair helps oversee as head of council. Jim Bradley, who was at the helm for seven years, had filled the role before his death on Sept. 26.
Picture credit: Jason Pratt / CC BY 2.0
Time to book: Niagara Sleep Cheap reservations start next week
Get your dialing fingers ready: it’s the time of year again when Niagara residents are offered discounted hotel stays in the heart of the Niagara Falls tourist district.
Sleep Cheap Charities Reap returns Nov. 23-27 and offers discounted rates for accommodation at participating Niagara Falls hotels — with all proceeds going to worthy causes.
Picture credit: Town of Lincoln
Town of Lincoln installs treaty signs across the community
The Town of Lincoln is proud to share that new Treaty Signs have been installed across the community, including at all Town parks and greenspaces, Town Hall, and the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre. The project was made possible through funding from the Ministry of Canadian Heritage, with full financial support from the Government of Canada.
Picture credit: Tomasz Zajda / Adobe Stock
26.8 million vehicles registered in Canada in 2024
In 2024, a total of 26.8 million road motor vehicles were registered in Canada, up 4.2% from the previous year. More than 9 in 10 (91.6%) were light-duty vehicles (LDVs), 5.2% of which were electric vehicles (EVs), up from 3.9% in 2023.
This growth was partly due to stronger new motor vehicle sales, which rose 9.5% year over year, and the implementation of an automatic registration renewal system in Ontario in July 2024.
Photo credit: Roman / Adobe Stock
US tariffs projected to lower Ontario’s economic growth by 1.7%, says FAO
Based on trade policies as of August 5, 2025, Ontario real GDP growth, the broadest measure of economic activity, is projected to slow to 0.9 per cent in 2025 and 1.0 per cent in 2026 as US tariffs reduce demand for Ontario’s exports, and businesses cut back on investment and hiring. Over the 2027 to 2029 period, real GDP growth is projected to return to its long-term average trend of 1.9 per cent, as Ontario’s economy adjusts to the impact of US tariffs. However, this implies that the level of Ontario’s real GDP would be 1.7 per cent lower than in a no tariff scenario in 2029.
Picture credit: CMHC
Canada’s Housing Design Catalogue now locked, loaded and ready to build
The Canada Housing Design Catalogue was a concept born out of the latter days of the Justin Trudeau administration that recalled the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) catalogues of home designs first published in 1947.
The idea was taken up by the new Liberal government, with renderings released in March. In the meantime, the homebuilding industry has been waiting for details. This week, detailed construction plans became available for free downloading.
Focus on Finance & Economy
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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.
