In this edition:
- Niagara College and St. Catharines Enterprise Centre partner to support student and alumni entrepreneurs
- Niagara Region EcDev to host free Operational Savings Through Energy Storage webinar
- Port Colborne to permit up to 4 dwellings on properties
- Government of Canada announces $1.1 million for rehabilitation of Brock’s Monument
- Canadian Chamber launches BDLNow: a real-time barometer for Canada’s economy
- Toronto traffic, transit congestion likely to worsen with in-office mandates, say experts
- Focus on Canada-U.S. Business
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Photo credit: Niagara College
Niagara College and St. Catharines Enterprise Centre partner to support student and alumni entrepreneurs
Niagara College’s (NC) Community Employment Services (CES) has partnered with the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre (SCEC) to strengthen entrepreneurial support for students and alumni in the Niagara region. As part of this collaboration, students and alumni can access the Starter Company Plus program, which offers up to $5,000 in grant funding to start or expand a business, expert mentorship, and access to business training on topics such as planning, marketing, and financial management.
Picture credit: pongsakorn / Adobe Stock
Niagara Region EcDev to host free Operational Savings Through Energy Storage webinar
Niagara Region’s Economic Development department is hosting an Operational Savings Through Energy Storage webinar to understand how energy storage, using batteries, solar panels, and generators, can be applied to reduce operating costs by shifting energy use to off-peak hours, lower peak demand charges and optimize Time of Use pricing, and strengthen operational resilience.
Picture credit: City of Port Colborne
Port Colborne to permit up to 4 dwellings on properties
Rules on how many residential units are allowed on one piece of property are set to be changed in Port Colborne.
The current bylaw says that up to three living spaces are permitted at one address, which can include basement or second floor apartments, as well as units within other buildings like garages.
Picture credit: Tomkinsr / CC BY-SA 4.0
Government of Canada announces $1.1 million for rehabilitation of Brock’s Monument
Today, Mr. Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced a $1.1 million investment to support infrastructure work at Brock’s Monument, part of Queenston Heights National Historic Site.
Picture credit: Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Canadian Chamber launches BDLNow: a real-time barometer for Canada’s economy
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab (BDL) is transforming the way we understand Canada’s economic performance with the launch of BDLNow, a new nowcast tool that provides real-time estimates of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), well ahead of official Statistics Canada data.
Photo credit: disq / Adobe Stock
Toronto traffic, transit congestion likely to worsen with in-office mandates, say experts
Greater Toronto commuters are likely bracing for traffic and transit congestion to worsen over the coming months as a number of major employers get ready to increase in-office days.
In many Canadian cities, Jennifer Keesmaat, a former chief planner for the City of Toronto, noted there is not sufficient road capacity to accommodate even a small increase in vehicle traffic, which will likely lead to longer commute times, more frustration and lost productivity.
Focus on Canada-U.S. Business
Mark Carney lifted some tariffs against the U.S. Was that a wise tactical move, or a bad blunder?
Nargess Kayhani, The Conversation
Though some might call it weakness, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent move to lift the retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods covered under CUSMA, while retaining tariffs on auto, steel and aluminum, is arguably a wise strategy.
The end goal is to minimize economic damage to Canada. According to Carney, this tariff removal on about 85 per cent of Canada-U.S. trade is consistent with the commitment under CUSMA.
Is Carney buying time? Does he have a long-term plan for Canada and the direction of trade?
While the prime minister is seemingly trying to keep negotiations productive in the lead-up to CUSMA’s renegotiation in 2026, his government has also started negotiating with many other countries (especially in Europe) to secure more reliable trading partners.
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.
