In this edition:
- U.S. customs audits and trade penalties surge as border enforcement tightens
- Stellantis signs MOU with Roshel for potential sale of Brampton plant
- The Clayfield boutique hotel to open Sept. 17 in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Trade diversification requires infrastructure and investment, report says
- Empire rejects tariff-related supplier price increases
- U.S. inflation holds at 3.4% as fuel prices jump
- Niagara-on-the-Lake launches service performance reporting framework
- Canadian household net worth tops $19 trillion as debt burden eases
- Thorold holds off on $50,000 parking agreement
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What’s next for Canada’s economy? Hear from BDC Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux
Tariffs, shifting trade relationships and continued economic uncertainty are changing the environment Canadian businesses operate in. What should business leaders be preparing for next?
Join the GNCC on September 21 for BDC’s Economic Outlook 2026-2027, featuring BDC Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux. He’ll share BDC’s outlook for the Canadian economy, examine how U.S. trade policy is affecting markets, costs and competitiveness, and offer practical insights on productivity, diversification and building a more resilient business.
Monday, September 21 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Four Points by Sheraton St. Catharines
Picture credit: Rick Beauregard / Adobe Stock
U.S. customs audits and trade penalties surge as border enforcement tightens
U.S. customs enforcement is adding new costs and delays for cross-border shippers. Audits are on pace to rise 26% from 2024, while trade penalties collected in the first half of 2026 reached US$70.6 million, up 169% from all of 2024.
Picture credit: Tada Images / Adobe Stock
Stellantis signs MOU with Roshel for potential sale of Brampton plant
Stellantis has signed an MOU with Canadian armoured-vehicle maker Roshel on a potential sale of its idled Brampton Assembly Plant. The move comes as Unifor pauses contract talks with Stellantis over the plant’s future, with the current collective agreement expiring Sept. 20.
Picture credit: Traditional Neighbourhood Developments Inc.
The Clayfield boutique hotel to open Sept. 17 in Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Clayfield, a new boutique hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake, officially opens Sept. 17 as the second Canadian property in Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. The hotel includes a rooftop bar and terrace, restaurant and spa, and is the result of a seven-year development process.
Picture credit: BigBlues / Adobe Stock
Trade diversification requires infrastructure and investment, report says
Canada cannot diversify away from U.S. trade simply by signing more agreements, argues a new Public Policy Forum report by former CUSMA negotiator Steve Verheul. It calls for major-project investment, trade-enabling infrastructure and a two-track strategy that preserves U.S. access while expanding other markets.
Picture credit: Prashanth Bala / Adobe Stock
Empire rejects tariff-related supplier price increases
Empire says it will not accept tariff-related supplier price increases at this stage, arguing the latest counter-tariffs have had limited impact on its grocery business. The Sobeys parent says broader sourcing options give it room to shift away from more expensive U.S. products.
Image credit: Fxquadro / Adobe Stock
U.S. inflation holds at 3.4% as fuel prices jump
U.S. inflation remained at 3.4% year over year in August, while prices rose 0.4% from July as gasoline costs jumped. The report strengthened expectations of a Federal Reserve rate increase next week, with markets pricing in more than an 80% chance of a hike.
Picture credit: Alexandre / Adobe Stock
Niagara-on-the-Lake launches service performance reporting framework
Niagara-on-the-Lake is introducing a corporate performance framework to track service levels, efficiency, customer service and community impact. The first phase will establish baselines for roads, integrated water and parks, with the first full results expected to go before council in 2027.
Picture credit: Pituk / Adobe Stock
Canadian household net worth tops $19 trillion as debt burden eases
Canadian household net worth rose 2.9% in the second quarter to $19.1 trillion, driven by financial-market gains. Household debt service fell to 14.52%, while mortgage borrowing slowed to its weakest pace since early 2024 and household debt relative to disposable income declined.
Picture credit: themorningglory / Adobe Stock
Thorold holds off on $50,000 parking agreement
Thorold council has delayed a proposed five-year agreement for public use of a new 33-space parking lot at a non-profit housing site. The city would pay $10,000 annually, or $50,000 over the term, while the housing corporation would fund construction.
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.
