In this edition:
- U.S. import ban on nearly $1B in Canadian goods takes effect
- Four Niagara manufacturers receive $6.7M to expand and protect 365 jobs
- Fort Erie advances community health hub plan ahead of Douglas Memorial closure
- Ontario expands tariff supports to alcohol, dairy and motorcycle sectors
- Deloitte cuts 2027 Canadian GDP growth forecast to 1.6%
- 52% of Niagara survey respondents feel unsafe downtown
- Ontario opens $250M call to create or expand 78 primary care teams
- Canada, Ontario extend child-care agreement four years with nearly $12B in funding
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Featured content by Niagara Community Foundation
Being named in someone’s Will is a place of honour; a privilege often reserved for family. But what if your favourite charity was listed as a beneficiary? Even donating 1% of your estate can make a significant impact on your charity of choice AND your family’s inheritance.
This is the idea behind Planned Giving. Gifts in Wills is not just a nice idea; it is a transformational development strategy for small to medium charities.
Join Niagara Community Foundation for a Lunch & Learn event with two experts in Planned Giving. Together with Laurie Fox (Will Power Canada) and Darren Pries-Klassen (Global Philanthropic Canada) we will dive into how this “nice idea” can become a permanent strategy in your fund development plans.
Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 | 11:30- 2:00 p.m. | Heartland Forest, NF | $30 Tickets
Picture credit: Valerii Evlakhov / Adobe Stock
U.S. import ban on nearly $1B in Canadian goods takes effect
The U.S. ban covers Canadian alcohol, some dairy products and motorcycles. Based on 2025 trade, the affected imports total about $967 million, with alcoholic beverages representing 87% of the value. The move follows earlier 50% tariffs and adds another layer to ongoing Canada-U.S. trade restrictions.
Picture credit: InfiniteFlow / Adobe Stock
Four Niagara manufacturers receive $6.7M to expand and protect 365 jobs
Agri-Plastics, FBT Innovative Technologies, CMI Heavy Industries and Valbruna ASW are receiving $6.7 million through the Ontario Together Trade Fund. The four companies plan nearly $29.7 million in combined investment, with the projects expected to create 48 jobs and protect 365 existing positions.
Picture credit: thanksforbuying / Adobe Stock
Fort Erie advances community health hub plan ahead of Douglas Memorial closure
Fort Erie Council endorsed moving to detailed business-case development for a proposed Community Health Hub and approved up to $118,000 for the next phase. A consultant estimates 13,542 Fort Erie residents are unattached to a family doctor, while 39% of local physicians are expected to retire within five years.
Picture credit: Leonid Andronov / Adobe Stock
Ontario expands tariff supports to alcohol, dairy and motorcycle sectors
Ontario is expanding eligibility for the $1-billion Protect Ontario Financing Program and $150-million Ontario Together Trade Fund after new U.S. import bans took effect. Eligible businesses can access loans or grants for operating pressures, market diversification and supply-chain changes.
Picture credit: Thaut Images / Adobe Stock
Deloitte cuts 2027 Canadian GDP growth forecast to 1.6%
Deloitte lowered its 2027 forecast from 2% to 1.6%, citing tougher conditions for consumers and businesses as Canada-U.S. trade tensions escalate. It still expects 0.9% growth in 2026. Statistics Canada, meanwhile, reported July GDP was essentially flat and estimated 0.2% growth for August.
Picture credit: St. Catharines downtown association
52% of Niagara survey respondents feel unsafe downtown
A Niagara Regional Police survey of 2,313 residents found 69% feel safe in their own neighbourhoods, but 52% feel unsafe in downtown areas. Thirty-seven per cent reported feeling unsafe in parks and trails and 34% on transit. Police cautioned the findings measure perceptions, not crime.
Picture credit: nenetus / Adobe Stock
Ontario opens $250M call to create or expand 78 primary care teams
Communities across Ontario can apply for funding to create or expand about 78 primary care teams, with the province aiming to connect 600,000 more people to care. Physicians, primary care teams and other partners are being directed to work through local Ontario Health Teams or Primary Care Networks.
Picture credit: bernardbodo / Adobe Stock
Canada, Ontario extend child-care agreement four years with nearly $12B in funding
The extension runs from March 31, 2027, to March 31, 2031. Ontario will maintain average fees of $19 per day until June 30, 2027, while the two governments continue negotiations on longer-term affordability and Ontario’s share of an additional $5.4-billion federal child-care fund.
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.
