In this edition:
- Niagara unemployment climbs to 6.9%, still below 2024 levels
- Government of Canada launches new package of relief measures
- August dip in home sales follows pattern, says Niagara Assn. of REALTORS®
- PM pauses 2026 EV target
- Focus on Health and Safety
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Picture credit: snowing12 / Adobe Stock
Niagara unemployment climbs to 6.9%, still below 2024 levels
Niagara’s unemployment rate increased from 6.3% to 6.9% in August, seasonally unadjusted, but still below August 2024’s level of 7.5%. When adjusted for seasonality, the unemployment rate was 7%, an increase of only 0.1 percentage points since July, but a drop of 0.3 percentage points since August 2024.
National employment declined by 66,000 (-0.3%) in August, largely the result of a decline in part-time work, and the employment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 60.5%.
Picture credit: The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Government of Canada launches new package of relief measures
The Prime Minister, Mark Carney, today announced a series of new, strategic measures for workers and businesses in those sectors most impacted by U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions. They include reskilling packages, modifications to Employment Insurance, and a new $5 billion fund to assist business affected by tariffs. The government will also be expanding its business loan and regional tariff relief programs, and introducing a Buy Canadian policy for the federal government.
Picture credit: Elena Berd / Adobe Stock
August dip in home sales follows pattern, says Niagara Assn. of REALTORS®
Residential home sales activity recorded through the MLS® for the Niagara Association of REALTORS® (NAR) totaled 532 units in August 2025, compared to 642 in July 2025.
“Historically, July and August tend to be slightly slower months for sales and listings as summertime activities take precedence, and this year has followed that pattern,” said Lisa Taylor, Chair, Niagara Association of REALTORS®.
Photo credit: NVB Stocker / Adobe Stock
PM pauses 2026 EV target
Prime Minister Mark Carney is pausing the federal government’s 2026 electric vehicle (EV) target and launching a review of the overall mandate as part of a new strategy to support sectors impacted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Carney made the announcement on Friday in Mississauga, Ont., following a two-day cabinet planning forum this week that was largely focused on the economy.
Focus on Health and Safety
Poor workplace indoor air quality could push nearly one-third of younger workers to quit
OHS Canada
A growing generational divide is reshaping expectations for workplace health and well-being. According to the 2025 International Day of Clean Air Survey from Fellowes, a provider of commercial air quality management (AQM) systems, 30 per cent of Canadian Millennial and Gen Z workers say they would consider leaving their employer over poor indoor air quality (IAQ), compared to just 20 per cent of Baby Boomers.
Now in its fourth year, the annual survey finds that, while concerns about IAQ remain high across the workforce, younger employees are driving a shift in its prioritization. In Canada, Millennials and Gen Z are far more likely to worry about the health consequences of poor indoor air quality, with nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) expressing concern about long-term effects — almost double the rate of Baby Boomers (34 per cent). Their worries are not unfounded: 81 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials report experiencing at least one workplace IAQ concern, compared with 49 per cent of Baby Boomers.
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.
