In this edition:
- MNP strengthens Niagara roots through community and collaboration
- 70,000 visitors to attend 2025 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in West Niagara
- Beyond the numbers: understanding unemployment challenges facing Niagara’s youth
- Bonnie Crombie to step down as Ontario Liberal Party leader
- Canada sees most August home sales in four years
- Consumer spending showing signs of returning to normal, Empire says
- Carney says temporary foreign worker program needs a ‘focused approach’
- Government of Canada launches Build Canada Homes agency
- 2026 EI premium rate set at $2.28 for employers
- Manufacturing sales rise in July driven by strong motor vehicle sales
- Focus on Finance & Economy
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Picture credit: International Plowing Match and Rural Expo
70,000 visitors to attend 2025 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in West Niagara
One of the largest agricultural and rural exhibitions in North America, Niagara West is set to host more than 70,000 visitors to the 2025 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo at the West Niagara Agricultural Centre and Fairgrounds in Grassie, beginning Tuesday, September 16. Hosted by the Ontario Plowmen’s Association and 2025 Local Organizing Committee, the large-scale event will transform the local fairgrounds and surrounding fields into a vibrant tented city.
Photo credit: Pixel-Shot / Adobe Stock
Beyond the numbers: understanding unemployment challenges facing Niagara’s youth
For the past several years, the numbers have told a familiar story: youth unemployment in Niagara has remained above historical averages, with falling participation rates, rising joblessness and a pattern of inconsistency.
In 2025 alone, youth unemployment started at 17.9 per cent in January, peaked at 23.6 per cent in March, then dropped to 11.7 per cent in August.
Picture credit: Bonnie Crombie M.P.P.
Bonnie Crombie to step down as Ontario Liberal Party leader
Bonnie Crombie has announced her intention to resign after a new Ontario Liberal Party leader has been chosen.
At a party convention in Toronto this weekend, 57 per cent of Liberal delegates from around the province and party notables known as “ex officios” voted to keep Crombie as the party’s leader, rather than hold a new leadership election.
Picture credit: Elena Berd / Adobe Stock
Canada sees most August home sales in four years
The Canadian Real Estate Association says it recorded the most home sales for August in four years, potentially setting the stage for a hot fall market with more choice for buyers.
The association said there were 40,257 home sales across the country last month, up 1.9 per cent from 39,522 in August 2024.
Photo credit: Yuliia / Adobe Stock
Consumer spending showing signs of returning to normal, Empire says
Customer spending behaviour is showing some signs of returning to normal after high inflation and tariffs led to shoppers flocking to the discount shelves and Canadian-made products, the chief executive of Empire Co. Ltd. says.
Picture credit: Joe McUbed / Adobe Stock
Carney says temporary foreign worker program needs a ‘focused approach’
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the temporary foreign worker program needs a “focused approach” that targets the needs of specific sectors and regions.
Carney’s comments came as he outlined the government’s plans for the fall during an address to the Liberal caucus at their annual retreat in Edmonton.
Photo credit: Friends Stock / Adobe Stock
Government of Canada launches Build Canada Homes agency
Announced today, Build Canada Homes aims to transform public-private co-operation and deploy modern methods of construction, leverage public lands, offer flexible financial incentives, attract private capital, facilitate large portfolio projects, and support modern manufacturers to build new homes.
Picture credit: Khaohom Mali / Adobe Stock
2026 EI premium rate set at 2.28% for employers
Today, the Canada Employment Insurance Commission announced that it has set the 2026 Employment Insurance (EI) premium rate at $1.63 per $100 of insurable earnings for employees and $2.28 for employers, who pay 1.4 times the employee rate. The 2026 rate is a one-cent decrease from the 2025 rate and a three-cent decrease from the 2024 rate.
Picture credit: dizfoto1973 / Adobe Stock
Manufacturing sales rise in July driven by strong motor vehicle sales
Total manufacturing sales rose 2.5% to $70.3 billion in July, following a modest 0.3% increase in June. Following four consecutive monthly declines, sales of transportation equipment rebounded by 8.6% to $11.4 billion in July. The increase was primarily driven by higher sales of motor vehicles (+11.4%) and motor vehicle parts (+7.2%) as well as increased production of aerospace products and parts (+6.5%).
Focus on Finance & Economy
Why a potential Bank of Canada interest rate cut is no silver bullet for mortgages and housing
John MacFarlane, Yahoo!Finance
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.
