Daily Update: February 7

February 7, 2024 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Business confidence found at record low in Ontario Economic Report
  • Meridian to host Business Accelerator Loan Program webinar
  • Ontario to issue RFPs for Garden City Skyway twinning this spring
  • Region poised to take ownership of St. Paul West train bridge in St. Catharines
  • Niagara getting $280k in provincial funding to help manage old oil and gas wells
  • Canadian balance of trade enters deficit for first time since July
  • Focus on Climate

Business confidence found at record low in 2024 Ontario Economic Report

High inflation, interest rates and housing costs continue to drive pessimism in Ontario’s economic outlook, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) eighth annual Ontario Economic Report (OER). Despite this, many businesses surveyed remain confident in their own outlooks, with 53 percent expecting to grow.

“Business confidence in the economy has plunged from 29 percent at the height of the pandemic to just 13 percent two years later – driven by the rising costs of living and of doing business,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “There are bright spots – particularly in growth sectors such as mining – thanks to strategic investments, population growth and improved labour market resilience. In 2024 and beyond, productivity must be our priority.”

Click here to read more.

Meridian to host Business Accelerator Loan Program webinar, helping businesses access capital

Meridian Credit Union has partnered with Northern Ontario Angels to offer a free online information session on Friday February 8 exploring their new Business Accelerator Loan Program. Supported by the BDC, the loan program aims to enhance entrepreneurial diversity and improve access to financing for all business owners. Join this free session to learn more and ask questions.

Click here to register.

Ontario to issue RFPs for Garden City Skyway twinning this spring

The Ontario government is on track to issue a request for proposals for the Garden City Skyway twinning project a year later than scheduled.

Tanya Blazina, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation, said in an email the RFP will be released “later this spring.”

“Once the new bridge is built, rehabilitation of the existing bridge will be done,” including a new deck replacement, said Blazina.

Construction on the multimillion-dollar project is expected to begin in early 2025.

Click here to read more.

Region poised to take ownership of St. Paul West train bridge in St. Catharines

Niagara Region’s public works committee is recommending a deal for the municipality to assume ownership of the St. Paul Street West CNR bridge once it’s reconstructed.

Councillors voted for the move Tuesday, with an eye on avoiding traffic snarls created by the current multi-year closure of the bridge, which had fallen into disrepair despite being a major thoroughfare in St. Catharines’ west end.

Region staff estimate the project will be complete sometime next year.

Click here to read more.

Niagara getting $280k in provincial funding to help manage old oil and gas wells

The Ontario government has announced $280,000 in funding to help manage old oil and gas wells in Niagara. The funding will be used to buy equipment to support emergency response and provide additional health and safety training to staff.

Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff says there are several old and inactive oil and gas wells across Niagara, especially in the southern part of the Region, and the funding will help protect the local environment.

Click here to read more.

Canadian balance of trade enters deficit for first time since July

In December, Canada’s merchandise exports decreased 1.9%, while imports edged up 0.2%. As a result, Canada’s merchandise trade balance with the world went from a surplus of $1.1 billion in November to a deficit of $312 million in December, the first monthly trade deficit since July. The December deficit is close to the typical bounds for monthly revisions to imports and exports.

Click here to read more.

Did you know?

63% of the TSX’s market cap is in finance, mining, or energy.

Focus on Climate

Europe is planning huge emissions cuts by 2040. Here’s how it could work (or not)

The European Commission wants to dramatically slash greenhouse emissions by 2040, an ambitious target likely to become a political flashpoint in the year ahead and a source of inspiration for environmentalists in Canada.

In an announcement Tuesday, the EU’s executive branch proposed cutting economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent from 1990 levels.

“The case for climate action is beyond doubt and requires planning now,” Wopke Hoekstra, the EU’s climate change commissioner, said in announcing the proposal.

“We’ve just lived through the hottest summer on record and we’ve seen for ourselves the devastation that climate change brings, sadly ever more in human lives.”

Click here to read more.

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.

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3rd Annual Getaway Your Way Fundraiser

February 7, 2024 |

Do you need a vacation? Do you need family fun time? Do you need a date night? Well, here’s your chance!
Tickets are $10 each OR 3 for $20 available online

Community Support Services of Niagara is holding their 3rd Annual Getaway Your Way Fundraising Raffle and we couldn’t be more excited.

Your support not only gives you a chance to “Getaway Your Way”, it also provides local senior and adults with disabilities support services which allow them to remain in their homes as long as possible with independence and dignity. We provide Meals on Wheels, grab bars to help prevent falls, security checks and friendly visits to combat loneliness, transportation to necessary medical appointments, social outings and more

Get your tickets today! Tell your friends! Support our local seniors!

Talk Tuesdays

February 2, 2024 |

Talk Tuesdays, hosted by the Education Staff, give care partners a chance to get together and talk about practical methods for supporting a loved one who is living with dementia. Each month we will present a new topic and by the end of the series you will:

  • Feel more knowledgeable about dementia
  • Know more about services that can help their family member and friends stay well
  • Feel supported as a caregiver
  • Feel more confident in your caregiving abilities

Register by calling us at 905-687-3914 or visit us online: https://alzheimer.ca/niagara/en/whats-happening/events/talk-tuesdays-feb-20

New Canadians in your workforce? This manufacturer’s approach can help protect them and you

February 2, 2024 | EDI, WSPS

Tyler Keenan, Safety and Environmental Assistant Manager at AISIN Canada, Inc., recently celebrated a health and safety milestone. He witnessed a new Canadian worker approach the company president on the plant floor and remind him to wear earplugs. Tyler was delighted. And the president? He offered the worker a handshake and a big thank you.

Getting newcomers comfortable with the idea of “speaking up” has been an evolution, explains Tyler. “Many are reluctant to report an injury, ask a supervisor a question, or offer a reminder about PPE because of abuse they suffered in their home countries.”

Retaining new Canadian workers with strong safety culture

AISIN manufactures auto components for Toyota and Lexus model cars, and is part of the global AISIN Corporation, a top 10 global supplier based in Japan. Three years ago, the Stratford, ON company, was hit by the same labour shortage that plagued all manufacturing sectors in Ontario. “New Canadians filled the gap and saved our business,” says Tyler.

Since then, AISIN, under President Wayne Robert, has put a lot of effort into retaining these valuable employees. Today, it has 535 employees, the bulk of them newcomers, an impressive safety culture, a high job satisfaction rate, low employee turnover, and a low injury rate.

To reach this point, it has had to overcome obstacles that hinder health and safety efforts. Newcomers are more vulnerable to injuries because of the fear of speaking up and a lack of English language skills. Tyler explains how these impact safety: “If we don’t know about an injury, we can’t focus our prevention efforts. And if workers can’t speak or write the language, safety messages are lost.”

Tackling the last issue also meant ensuring that supervisors had the communication skills needed to be able to train, coach and mentor newcomers effectively.

Consultant Carl Bonello, who provides health and safety training and support to AISIN, is very impressed with the work it has done to keep newcomers safe. “The company deserves to pat itself on the back.” But Wayne and Tyler are too busy looking for more ways to improve.

Confronting fears

Many newcomers equate ‘speaking up’ with being fired, punished or subjected to physical harm or bullying, says Tyler. In fact, one employee showed Tyler a bullet wound he received after being shot by an angry supervisor back home.

Tyler recognizes that overcoming such trauma takes time, patience and persistence. “We offer reassurance, by talking about how worker’s rights, violence and harassment policies and reprisal laws are designed to protect them.” This message is reiterated often at safety meetings, training, safety talks, and during one-on-one discussions with employees.

Supervisors are careful to not respond negatively when people do speak up – even if they are reporting an injury or something they did incorrectly, says Tyler. “And they are on the alert for signs of problems.” One supervisor knew a worker had been hurt by their body language. But the worker was afraid to report it for fear of being fired. Tyler stepped in, as he often does, to calm the worker’s fears.

Tyler also builds trust by telling newcomers about the company’s concern for their physical and mental health. On a recent company-wide walkthrough, Tyler and Wayne chatted with employees individually about anxiety, stress and other mental health issues, and provided resources and tips.

“Things are moving in a positive direction,” says Tyler, “but it’s something we need to constantly work on.”

Addressing language barriers

AISIN uses a variety of tools to ensure newcomers are able to understand health and safety instruction and training and communicate with supervisors. This includes taking advantage of technology and getting help with translation from existing staff who have learned English. “We have such a diverse workforce here,” says Tyler, “it’s hard to find a language that someone doesn’t speak.”

Tyler and HR Manager Rosanne Stewart also want to make it easier for newcomers to learn English. “We are looking at a more comprehensive online language learning tool at the moment,” says Rosanne. She envisions the tool helping not just newcomers but also supervisors who “may want to learn to speak the predominant language of their work group, whether it is Hindi, Nepali, Russian, or another.”

Among other things, AISIN offers:

  • awareness training in an employee’s language of choice
  • copies of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) in multiple languages
  • Google translate on every company phone
  • translation services during orientation and training courses
  • free access to Rosetta Stone, an online language learning tool
  • a sizeable educational reimbursement so employees can take English as a second language training

Getting supervisors up to speed

Being able to communicate effectively as a supervisor is not necessarily something that comes naturally, says Bonello. “It also gets very complicated when you have workers who don’t speak English, and young, inexperienced supervisors – many of them newcomers themselves.”

AISIN called on Bonello to help improve the way supervisors were conveying health and safety messages to newcomers. He adapted WSPS’s Effective Supervisor course to focus more on communication skills and delivered five sessions. Company managers and other leaders were included in the sessions so everyone would have the same skill base.

Here are some of the tips they learned:

  • use simple language, no jargon or acronyms, speak slowly, and enunciate clearly
  • speak softly, smile and make sure you have relaxed body language so newcomers are not intimidated
  • make eye contact to check for engagement. “Be aware of cultural stigmas that might prevent eye contact.”
  • during training, check for comprehension by providing quizzes. Have a translator in the room to help out.
  • make yourself available after training or meetings. “Some newcomers are reluctant to ask questions in public because they are embarrassed. Tell them you will be available after the session, or at any time, to answer questions.”

How WSPS can help

Contact a WSPS Consultant to learn more about how to support your supervisors and strengthen your company’s health and safety culture.

Training 

Other resources

Stay tuned to WSPS.CA for new videos and articles for workers that cover the top hazards in manufacturing. These videos will be available in English, Punjabi, Spanish, French, Tagalog and Mandarin.

 

The information in this article is accurate as of its publication date

 

 

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Understanding Dementia with Lewy Bodies

February 2, 2024 |

Lewy body dementia is a type of progressive dementia that can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behaviours, and mood. Join us as we discuss:
– An overview of dementia with Lewy bodies
– Common behavioural and mood changes
– Strategies care partners can use to help reduce behaviours and support their loved one

Register by calling us at 905-687-3914 or visit us online: https://alzheimer.ca/niagara/en/whats-happening/events/understanding-dementia-lewy-bodies

Creating a Dementia Friendly Environment

February 2, 2024 |

The Compassionate Care series is an opportunity to understand changes in behaviours and learn helpful strategies to support people living with dementia.

Living at home might give a person living with dementia a sense of freedom and familiarity. It may be possible to support a person with dementia in maintaining their favorite routines or activities by making minor adjustments to their living space.

Join us as we discuss ways to create a dementia friendly environment.

Register by calling us at 905-687-3914 or visit us online: https://alzheimer.ca/niagara/en/whats-happening/events/creating-a-dementia-friendly-environment

7 key steps for effective contractor management in your warehouse

February 1, 2024 | WSPS

With shipments constantly coming in and going out, warehouses and distribution centres need to have solid systems in place to keep everything running safely. Those systems need to be conveyed to any outside contractors you bring in, says Troy Nel, WSPS Health and Safety Consultant, to ensure no hazards arise and safe work procedures are followed during their work.

“Warehouses and distribution centres have contractors working in their facilities all the time,” says Troy. “They may be installing a new piece of equipment or building an extension onto the facility. Or they may be coming in to change the carpets, refill the vending machines, or deliver new uniforms. We’re talking about any third-party worker who comes into the facility to complete a task, other than temporary workers,” explains Troy.

In these situations where contractors are coming into your workplace, the main question is usually about who is responsible for health and safety—the warehouse facility or the contractor’s employer. “The answer is both, so there needs to be coordination,” says Troy.

Here are the steps you need to take to ensure you are fulfilling your responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

7 steps for effective contractor management

Troy outlines a few things to address before contractors arrive at your facility and then discusses what to do when the work starts.

  1. The contractor should provide a valid clearance certificate, but it’s a good idea to check yourself. This can be done easily online by visiting the WSIB’s website and searching by company name. “Remember to check the certificate’s expiry date to make sure that the contractor is covered for the duration of the contract,” says Troy. You can also check a contractor’s injury history by using the WSIB’s free Safety Check.
  2. Create a contractor health and safety package for your organization. This document should clearly state the health and safety expectations you have for anyone coming in to perform work at your facility. It should also define roles and responsibilities for all involved so that there is no confusion or grey areas. Include information such as procedures for entering and exiting the facility, where to find washrooms, exits, first aid kits, eye wash stations, etc. “This type of health and safety document should be sent to the contractor before they come to your workplace so that they can review it and ask any questions in advance,” says Troy.
  3. Ask for a hazard assessment. Before work starts, both parties must have a clear understanding of exactly what work the contractor is going to do and how they are going to do it. Ask for a hazard assessment that identifies the hazards associated with each phase of the work and the controls that will be used to mitigate them. Emergency response or rescue plans should also be provided if the work requires them.
  4. Collect proof of training and certifications. The hazard assessment will indicate if specific certifications are required, depending on the type of work being done. For example, if electrical work is going to be completed, ask for a copy of the electrician’s certificate of qualification. If workers will be on a roof or in a confined space, ask for copies of the required training certificates. When this is done in advance, it eliminates the chance that workers will arrive without their proof of training and need to be turned away.
  5. Complete a health and safety orientation. Whether it’s one worker or a whole crew, a health and safety orientation must be completed before they start working. If it’s a group, identify the supervisor or the person who will act as the lead. Provide a tour of the facility, particularly of the area where they will be working. “It’s a good idea to review the hazard assessment as well,” says Troy. “When you’re dealing with a recurring service or regularly scheduled maintenance, you can review and document this information periodically to save you from having to do it each time,” says Troy. “As long as it’s the same workers returning.”
  6. Monitor the work. “Obviously you can’t stand beside workers the entire time they are working, but you have to periodically check-in,” says Troy. Ensure that the work is being done according to the hazard assessment and that all health and safety requirements are being followed.
  7. Evaluate the job. Once completed, assess the quality of the work. Consider whether health and safety rules were followed, or if you had to keep reminding the workers of the expectations. Document your experience with each contractor so that you can refer to it when hiring in the future.

How WSPS help

Consulting
Connect with a WSPS expert to find out if you have gaps in your health and safety program regarding outside contractors.

Training

Article

The information in this article is accurate as of its publication date.

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Lunch & Learn: Cybersecurity Best Practices for Small & Medium Enterprises

January 30, 2024 | Event Recordings, Lunch and Learn

Join us for an insightful webinar on “Cybersecurity Best Practices for Small and Medium sized Enterprises” hosted by B4 Networks President & CEO, Bryan Lachapelle.

Explore key topics such as threat landscapes, common cyber threats, risk assessments, and practical strategies to secure your business. Learn about protecting sensitive data, securing remote work, and cost-effective cybersecurity solutions.

Engage with our expert speaker on incident response planning, compliance, and fostering a cybersecurity-aware culture. Bring your questions for a dynamic Q&A session.

Equip your business with essential knowledge to enhance cybersecurity resilience. Don’t miss this opportunity to safeguard your SME in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Presented by Bryan Lachapelle, President & CEO, B4 Networks

With your 5 Minute Financial Download from C.R. Smith Financial Services Inc.

Special Offers for GNCC members:
https://b4networks.ca/gncc

Get Your Cybersecurity Assessment:
http://b4networks.ca/assessment

Download Presentation:
https://gncc.ca/members/B4-Networks-Security-Lunch-and-Learn.pdf

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Daily Update: January 29

January 29, 2024 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Welland Staples one of first new ServiceOntario centres
  • New name proposed for West Lincoln Memorial Hospital
  • Business Data Lab shines light on post-pandemic reality for small retail businesses
  • Bill Fordy named new Niagara police chief
  • Renovated Rodman Hall in St. Catharines up for sale
  • Government of Canada announces new low-cost loans to build student housing
  • Niagara College issues website development RFP
  • Minister Anand announces launch of GC Digital Talent Platform
  • Focus on Small Business

Welland Staples one of first new ServiceOntario centres

Today, the province officially launched the expansion of ServiceOntario in six Staples Canada stores which will open on February 1. These new centres are part of the government’s ongoing work to explore new ways to make ServiceOntario more accessible for Ontario residents.

The new Staples Canada-operated ServiceOntario centres are in the following communities:

  • Oakville, 2460 Winston Churchill Boulevard
  • Newmarket, 17810 Yonge Street
  • Toronto (Scarborough), 1980 Eglinton Avenue, East
  • Strathroy, 425 Caradoc Street, South
  • Tillsonburg, Tillsonburg Town Centre, 200 Broadway Street
  • Welland, Seaway Mall, 800 Niagara Street

Click here to read more.

New name proposed for West Lincoln Memorial Hospital

West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH), a Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) hospital, is being rebuilt to accommodate the growing health care needs of west Niagara’s communities. Public support of the new hospital has been overwhelmingly positive, as local residents acknowledge this important endeavour and have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the redevelopment project.

The Mayors of the Town of Grimsby, Town of Lincoln, Township of West Lincoln and the Chair of Niagara Region have submitted a request to Hamilton Health Sciences to change the name of the new hospital to West Niagara Memorial Hospital.

Click here to read more.

Business Data Lab shines light on post-pandemic reality for small retail businesses

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab (BDL) released its latest report today, highlighting the new reality for small businesses in Canada’s post-pandemic retail landscape, which has been beset by shifting consumer behaviours.

The report, entitled, A Portrait of Small Business in Canada: Adaption, Agility, All At Once, explores the integral role small businesses play in Canada’s economy and sheds light on how these  businesses can thrive despite major economic forces working against them — including the rising cost of doing business, the highest borrowing costs in over two decades and increased pandemic debt loads.

Click here to read more.

Bill Fordy named new Niagara police chief

Jen Lawson, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Services Board, announced today that the Board has selected Bill Fordy as the new Chief of Police for the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS). Bill Fordy is currently the Deputy Chief of Police, Support Services, with the NRPS. He will begin his role as Chief of the NRPS effective February 1, 2024.

Click here to read more.

Renovated Rodman Hall in St. Catharines up for sale

Rodman Hall, a recently renovated historical building, is up for sale in St. Catharines, listed at $9,999,000. The property, built between 1857 and 1863, includes 2.9 hectares looking over twelve mile creek.

The listing says the site offers “13 lavish hotel rooms and a variety of exquisite event spaces including meeting rooms, a large bar area, and a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 150+ seated guests.”

Click here to read more.

Government of Canada announces new low-cost loans to build student housing

The Government of Canada today announced that they will be offering low-cost loans to build more student housing on- and off-campus. By reforming the Apartment Construction Loan Program, the Government aims to help more students find housing they can afford close to where they study, and help ensure that there are more homes available for families who live in those same communities year-round.

Click here to read more.

Niagara College issues website development RFP

Niagara College (NC) is actively accepting proposals to develop or create, update, re-design, test, and launch websites for different departments at NC.

The primary objective of this project is to significantly update, re-design, develop, and launch a comprehensive website for the Research and Innovation Department of Niagara College at the URL ncinnovation.ca. This website will serve as a dynamic, engaging, and informative platform, showcasing the department’s four (4) innovation centres, and their advanced research, projects, updates and news, employment and placement opportunities, and collaborations with industry partners.

The expected project completion date is July 31, 2024.

To review the application requirements and apply online, visit the College’s website and submit your proposal by February 8 at 3 p.m.

Minister Anand announces launch of GC Digital Talent Platform

Today, at the 2024 Digital Government Leaders Summit, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board, announced the launch of the Government of Canada (GC) Digital Talent Platform—an online recruitment site for digital and IT professionals.

The Platform simplifies the application process for individuals who specialize in digital and IT who are looking to apply for jobs within the government. As well, it will provide federal institutions with lists of pre-qualified individuals that match their digital talent needs.

Click here to read more.

Did you know?

Canada’s biggest industry is commercial banking.

Focus on Small Business

What if… Planning for the unexpected

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business recently published a report showing small business owners work an average of 59 hours a week to fill gaps due to the ongoing labour shortage. And only 6% of respondents were automating their processes to compensate for these shortfalls.

That’s a recipe for chaos, says Beverlee Rasmussen, a certified systems business coach in Langley, British Columbia and author of Small Business Big Opportunity. Rasmussen notes that while tactical business owners bail water out of a sinking boat every day in a state of panic, strategic business owners pull the boat out of the water and fix the holes. Having a systems-based mindset allows you to pull a sinking boat out of the water if you fall ill.

Click here to read more.

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.

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