Ontario accepting proposals to build South Niagara Hospital

With the Ontario government’s support, Infrastructure Ontario and Niagara Health have invited teams to respond to a request for proposals to design, build, finance and maintain the new South Niagara Hospital.

Since 2018, Ontario has invested over $19.5 million towards planning the new hospital in Niagara Falls. Currently, Niagara Health operates five separate campuses. Once completed, the new hospital will consolidate and expand acute care services, replacing outdated infrastructure with high tech facilities and supporting better, connected care in the region.

To meet growing demand in the region, the new hospital is planned to have 469 beds, which is 156 more beds than the combined total number of beds at Niagara Health’s Port Colborne, Fort Erie and Niagara Falls campuses. Niagara Health will continue to operate the existing facility in St. Catharines, which was opened in 2013, along with the Welland campus.

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Ontario will grant employees right to wear poppy in the workplace

The Ontario government is introducing legislation today that, if passed, would amend the Remembrance Week Act, 2016 to give Ontario workers the right to wear a poppy in the workplace during Remembrance Week.

An exception to the proposed right to wear a poppy will apply if wearing a poppy poses a danger or hazard to the health, safety, or welfare of any person.

As part of the government’s continued efforts to honour and support veterans, the legislation, if passed, would also amend the preamble to the Remembrance Week Act, 2016 to state that poppies are worn during Remembrance Week as a symbol of remembrance and respect.

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Service industry drives employment gains in Ontario

Payroll employment increased by 59,700 (+0.4%) in August, driven by gains in the services-producing sector in Ontario and Quebec, the third consecutive monthly increase. Payroll employment in accommodation and food services increased by 56,700 (+5.3%) in August, with gains in every province.

By August, all jurisdictions in Canada had implemented the final or near-final stages of their public health reopening plans, meaning indoor locations—such as restaurants, recreation facilities, personal care services, retail stores, and entertainment venues—were generally permitted to be open, with varying degrees of capacity restrictions.

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Include Workplace Safety on Take Our Kids to Work Day

On November 3, 2021, grade nine students across Canada will have the opportunity to job shadow their parent or another adult for the day, to get an up-close glimpse of work life on Take Our Kids to Work day. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reminds workplaces that health and safety can still be included in their programs whether they’re hosting the event virtually or in person.

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Reading Recommendations

Canadian wage inflation looms as ‘perfect storm’ hits labor market

Reuters

Canadian workers are fast becoming hot commodities in a tight labor market and companies are increasingly forced to raise wages to fill jobs – and retain existing staff – a factor likely to complicate the Bank of Canada’s efforts to tame inflation.

While fast rising wages have yet to filter through to official data, hiring intentions are far above pre-pandemic levels and staffing companies say it is a “sellers market” for skilled and unskilled job seekers across many industries.

Economists say wage growth could turn into a big problem for the Bank of Canada, which is already grappling with inflation that is near a two-decade high. On Wednesday the central bank surprised the market with its hawkish tone, nudging forward the chance of an interest rate hike as it warned inflation would go higher.

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Making workplaces better for people struggling with mental health will make work better for everyone

Fast Company

The evidence is clear that the cost of mental illness in the workplace is significant and widespread, and that it accumulates over a worker’s lifetime. Almost 20% of working adults report significant symptoms of mental illness over the course of a month, and half will experience an issue over their lifetime. Think about that for a moment. That potentially means one in five of your employees could be struggling with significant mental health issues as you read this.

While illnesses vary in severity and nature, symptoms can interfere with productivity in ways that have meaningful consequences for employers and employees alike. Depression, for example, can make small tasks seem daunting and can lead people to be irritable and angry with others. Anxiety can make it hard for people to meet deadlines, participate in meetings, or make presentations. Experiencing symptoms of mental illness can lead people to miss work altogether. In some cases, mental illness symptoms lead people to lose or leave their jobs.

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker