In this edition:
- Niagara-on-the-Lake identifies $13.08-million annual infrastructure funding gap
- Canadian tourism spending rises 0.3% as international visitor spending grows
- Ottawa invests up to $162 million in 10,000 AI work placements
- Canada and Vietnam establish strategic partnership covering trade, supply chains and AI
- Federal labour bill would add public mediator reports before Ottawa intervenes in disputes
- Ontario invests $30 million in Vector Institute to accelerate AI adoption
- Wholesale sales estimated to fall 1.5% in August
- Niagara College launches new Indigenous Education Strategy
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Picture credit: skyf / Adobe Stock
Niagara-on-the-Lake identifies $13.08-million annual infrastructure funding gap
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s $1.07-billion infrastructure portfolio carries an estimated $13.08-million annual funding gap. The town also reports 80.3 per cent of its strategic-plan indicators are complete or on target, while a fee review found changes could reduce Planning Services’ reliance on the tax levy.
Picture credit: Maksym Yemelyanov / Adobe Stock
Canadian tourism spending rises 0.3% as international visitor spending grows
Tourism spending in Canada rose 0.3 per cent to $28.5 billion in the second quarter, as spending by international visitors increased 1.0 per cent while domestic tourism spending was unchanged. Real tourism GDP grew 0.4 per cent, and tourism jobs increased by the same amount.
Picture credit: SYEDARASHEKA / Adobe Stock
Ottawa invests up to $162 million in 10,000 AI work placements
The federal government is providing up to $162 million over five years to Mitacs for 10,000 co-funded AI work placements. Post-secondary students, recent graduates and post-doctoral fellows will work with Canadian businesses on AI adoption and innovation through the ADOPT and AI+X streams.
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Canada and Vietnam establish strategic partnership covering trade, supply chains and AI
Canada and Vietnam have elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership spanning eight areas, including trade and investment, transportation and supply chains, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, energy, agri-food, defence and education. The two governments say the partnership is intended to expand cooperation and address shared economic and regional challenges.
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Federal labour bill would add public mediator reports before Ottawa intervenes in disputes
Proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code would create a special mediator able to publish a report on stalled negotiations in federally regulated sectors. The jobs minister would have to consider that report and the national interest before using Section 107 to intervene. Labour leaders argue the changes could weaken collective bargaining rights.
Photo credit: Summit Art Creations / Adobe Stock
Ontario invests $30 million in Vector Institute to accelerate AI adoption
Ontario is investing $30 million in the Vector Institute through its Critical Technologies Initiative to help companies and organizations adopt and deploy artificial intelligence. The province says the investment will support commercialization, workforce development and productivity; the 2026 budget added another $107 million to the broader program.
Picture credit: Tomasz Zajda / Adobe Stock
Wholesale sales estimated to fall 1.5% in August
Statistics Canada’s advance estimate indicates wholesale sales fell 1.5 per cent in August, excluding petroleum products, other hydrocarbons, oilseed and grain. The decline was led by agricultural supplies and motor vehicles and parts. The estimate is based on an incomplete response and is subject to a higher revision rate.
Director of Indigenous Education Leah Hogan and NC President Sean Kennedy hold a copy of NC’s new Indigenous Education Strategy, Paddling Together | Picture credit: Niagara College
Niagara College launches new Indigenous Education Strategy
Niagara College has launched Paddling Together, a new Indigenous Education Strategy developed over two years. Its five priority areas are community relationships, governance, teaching and learning, Indigenous student empowerment, and organizational culture and systems, with the strategy intended to guide the College’s work on Indigenous education and reconciliation.
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.
