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Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Home / Daily Update  /  Daily Update: October 21, 2025

Daily Update: October 21, 2025

October 21, 2025 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Inflation rate increases to 2.4%, food prices up 4%
  • GM ends production of BrightDrop at Ingersoll plant
  • Ontario invests $3.2M in next intake of Indigenous Economic Development Fund
  • Canada and Mexico strengthen agri-food cooperation under 2025-2028 action plan
  • Ontario to table fall fiscal update Nov. 6 amid tariff impacts
  • Focus on Health & Safety

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A row of stacks of coins in increasing height from let to right with a red arrow pointing to a percentage sign above

Photo credit: Monster Ztudio / Adobe Stock

Inflation rate increases to 2.4%, food prices up 4%

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.4% on a year-over-year basis in September, up from a 1.9% increase in August.

On a year-over-year basis, gasoline prices fell less in September (-4.1%) compared with August (-12.7%) due to a base-year effect, leading to an acceleration in headline inflation. Excluding gasoline, the CPI rose 2.6% in September, after increasing 2.4% in August.

A slower year-over-year decline in prices for travel tours (-1.3%) and a larger increase in prices for food purchased from stores (+4.0%) also contributed to the upward pressure in the all-items CPI in September.

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Picture credit: General Motors

General Motors today confirmed the end of production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van built at CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario. BrightDrop production will not be moved to another site, the auto manufacturer said.

“The decision to end production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van is driven by market demand and in no way reflects the commitment and skill of our workforce at CAMI,” said Kristian Aquilina, president and managing director of GM Canada.

Click here to read more.

Family piggy bank, white ceramic piggy bank on stack coins on white wood table

Picture credit: Pituk / Adobe Stock

Ontario invests $3.2M in next intake of Indigenous Economic Development Fund

As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF) provides funding to Indigenous businesses, communities and organizations to help boost economic growth and job creation in Indigenous communities across the province.

Applications are open until December 1, 2025 at 5 p.m. (EST) and must be submitted through Transfer Payment Ontario. Interested applicants are required to register with Transfer Payment Ontario to apply and manage their funding requests.

Click here to read more.

Picture credit: olegkruglyak3 / Adobe Stock

Canada and Mexico strengthen agri-food cooperation under 2025-2028 action plan

Mexico has accepted Canada’s proposal to ease import requirements for eligible apples from Eastern Canadian Provinces starting in January 2026 and meaningful progress has been made on mutual laboratory and inspection recognition. In addition, Canada and Mexico have agreed to a new certificate that will provide new access for Canadian pet food that contains bovine ingredients to the Mexican market.

Through these actions, Canada and Mexico seek to continue strengthening their role as strategic partners in the global agri-food trade fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and growing sector that enabled agri-food trade between both countries to increase by 50 per cent from 2018 to 2023.

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Ontario Finance Minister the Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy speaks at a GNCC event

Picture credit: Brad Demers / Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Ontario to table fall fiscal update Nov. 6 amid tariff impacts

Ontario’s finance minister is set to table the province’s fall economic statement on Nov. 6.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says the fiscal update will be a plan to make the province’s economy competitive and protect jobs.

The economic statement serves as a mini budget and often contains funding and updates on economic growth.

Click here to read more.

Focus on Health & Safety

While more than two-thirds (68 per cent) of professionals recognize the significant role psychological safety plays in employee engagement, over half (51 per cent) of organizations have no written policy in place addressing this critical issue. This is a key finding from a new study released by Veriforce, a provider of contractor management and workforce qualification solutions.

The report, titled The Status of Psychological Safety in the Workplace, is based on a survey of 212 professionals in safety, training, HR, and leadership roles in sectors such as oil and gas, manufacturing, public services, healthcare, and mining. Commissioned by the Veriforce Strategic Advisory Board, the research explores the current understanding, application, and experience of psychological safety – defined as the shared belief that a team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking – across the modern workforce.

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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